Research Associate (QKD Security System Engineer and Security Evaluation)

Research Associate - QKD Security System Engineer and Security Evaluation Expert ()

The Fraunhofer Singapore Research Centre is an independent research centre established at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). It forms part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft () one of the worlds leading applied research organizations with around 32000 employees predominantly scientists and engineers.

In Singapore Fraunhofer operates two closely linked but legally independent entities: () and Fraunhofer Singapore Research Ltd the first Fraunhofer affiliate in Asia. Both work in joint facilities to advance applied R&D bridging academia and industry in cutting-edge technological domains.

We invite applications for aResearch Associate (full-time)focusing onquantum hacking and quantum key distribution (QKD) security evaluation. You will work in an interdisciplinary and international team of quantum security experts QKD system engineers optical physicists quantum information theorists and cryptographic evaluation specialists. The joint mission: to build and validate next-generation frameworks fortesting evaluating and certifying QKD systems and componentsin both laboratory and production environments.

This position will directly contribute to applied quantum communication security programmes in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. The role combines deep experimental work hands-on system engineering and methodical vulnerability analysis of practical QKD systems and components. It offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of trusted quantum communication combining hands-on security evaluation hardware-level assurance and CC certification research as well as contributing to high-assurance QKD system designs and implementations.

You will help define how quantum and classical cybersecurity converge - driving new assurance methodologies for quantum-safe communication systems at the interface of applied research certification and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced R&D in the security evaluation certification and assurance of QKD systems and hybrid quantum-classical architectures.

• Design and develop methods for performing structured evaluations of QKD components and systems in alignment with Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408) and related international assurance frameworks.

• Perform threat and risk assessments for QKD deployments supply-chain elements and network reference architectures.

• Investigate integrated attack models and multi-domain vulnerability correlations to develop unified frameworks that combine optical electronic and cryptographic attack vectors in practical QKD implementations.

• Conduct vulnerability and penetration testing across both classical and quantum subsystems including protocol stacks post-processing layers as well as side-channel and fault-injection pathways.

• Develop and apply verification methodologies for classical and quantum security functions; covering software firmware hardware and embedded interfaces through penetration testing reverse engineering and structured validation.

• Develop blueprints and contribute to the international harmonization of QKD certification methodologies and evaluation practices.

• Design and implement assurance frameworks bridging classical cryptographic certification and emerging quantum-safe and quantum communication standards (ISO 23837 ITU-T ETSI QKD ISO/IEC SC27 TARA).

• Contribute to the design of an open-source high-assurance QKD reference system.

• Collaborate with industrial and regulatory partners to align QKD and quantum communication products with national and international certification and compliance requirements.

• Contribute to publications workshops and standards initiatives related to quantum communication security certification and hardware assurance.

Job Requirements

• MSc/MEngin Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering Cybersecurity Physics or a related discipline with specialization insecurity evaluation or hardware assurance.

• Strong understanding ofCommon Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408)andFIPS 140-3certification methodologies including experience with evaluation security targets or protection profiles.

• Proven expertise invulnerability assessment penetration testing and system evaluationof secure hardware or communication systems

• Familiarity withrisk assessment frameworkssuch asISO/IEC 27001/27005ISO 23837ITU-T orETSI QKD standards as well as relevant studies (e.g.BSI implementation attack analysis on QKD systems).

• Working knowledge ofQKD theory and implementation architectures or strong interest inquantum communication and hybrid cryptographic security.

• Experience withembedded-system security reverse engineering or firmware analysisusing industry-standard tools and techniques.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to bridgequantum security cybersecurity risk management and certification domainsin a interdisciplinary international environment.

• Familiarity withquantum technology policy and standardization landscapesis an advantage.

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.