PhD Studentship: Securing the Future of E-Governance in a Post-Quantum World

Technologies for e-governance and civic engagement play a crucial role in supporting and transforming public services and community interactions, with the potential to foster greater citizen participation and transparency. As digital technologies become increasingly central to the delivery of these services, ensuring their security and resilience is more vital than ever. From digital identity and voting platforms to public consultation tools, these platforms must not only serve communities effectively but also withstand rapidly evolving security threats.

The impending transition to a post-quantum world introduces new challenges. Attackers equipped with quantum computing capabilities will be able to break traditional cryptographic systems, rendering them obsolete and posing a significant threat to the security of e-governance systems.

About the Project

This PhD project will focus on the design of secure e-governance systems, ensuring their resilience against post-quantum attackers. You will select an application area (indicative areas include voting systems, digital identity, public consultation platforms, portals for nationally delivered services), and will investigate its functional and security requirements.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, you will combine post-quantum cryptography and cyber security with methodologies from the social sciences to guide system design and evaluation, engaging with key stakeholders (e.g., technologists, citizens and governments) to build an understanding of their needs. Based on these findings, you will design and develop e-governance systems that are secure against post-quantum adversaries.

You will join a growing multidisciplinary research team in cryptography and cyber security at Lancaster University, gaining access to expert mentorship, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and professional development opportunities. The research team is embedded within Lancaster’s Security and Protection Science initiative (https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/security-and-protection-science/) and Security Lancaster (https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/security-lancaster/), one of the UK’s largest security research institutes. 

Supervisors:

• Dr Ashley Fraser, School of Computing and Communications
• Dr Jessica Jay, School of Mathematical Sciences
• Dr Dan Fretwell, School of Mathematical Sciences 

Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for motivated individuals who are eager to tackle real-world cyber security challenges. Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Mathematics, or a related discipline. Applicants with a lower second class degree but having a significant Master’s qualification will also be considered.

The ideal applicant will have a strong interest in cyber security and cryptography, and will have an interest in interdisciplinary research. Knowledge of mathematics, particularly number theory, to the equivalent of first-year undergraduate level is desirable.

We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in STEM.

How to apply (note there are 2 elements to the process): Please apply though the official University process. Instructions for applying through the University can be found at the Lancaster University Admission Portal. Please also submit your application materials via this Qualtrics form, which is specific to this PhD opportunity. Applications must be submitted by the 20^th July 2025. A list of the materials you will need is below:

• Two-page CV
• Names and contact details of two referees (one must be academic).
• In place of a Research Proposal on the Lancaster University application, you may submit a copy of this advertisement
• One-page personal statement which demonstrates the applicant’s
• Motivation for choosing a PhD project examining post-quantum secure e-governance platforms
• Readiness for a PhD studentship

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Ashley Fraser (a.fraser5@lancaster.ac.uk). 

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