A fully funded PhD position is available for Fall 2026 in the area of Cryptographic Engineering and Hardware Security at the University of South Florida (USF), specifically within the Bellini College of AI, Cybersecurity and Computing. The position is supervised by Dr. Mehran Mozaffari Kermani, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs. The research will focus on various aspects of cryptographic engineering, with an emphasis on hardware/software implementation and side-channel attacks.

Applicants must have both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering, with a strong hardware background. The position is not open to direct Bachelor’s-to-PhD applicants. Required expertise includes a solid background in cryptographic engineering and the theory of cryptography, as well as proficiency in HDL, FPGA, and ARM technologies. Outstanding English proficiency is necessary for funding eligibility if English tests are required. Candidates should be highly motivated, able to exceed typical PhD expectations, and committed to publishing in top-tier venues.

To apply, candidates should email their updated CV (including a list of publications and language test marks), transcripts for both B.Sc. and M.Sc., and a statement of interest to Dr. Mehran Mozaffari Kermani at [email protected]. The successful candidate will be asked to formally apply to the college soon, so all application materials should be prepared in advance. Notably, the GRE is not required for this position.

For more information, applicants can visit the research webpage at https://cse.usf.edu/~mehran2/ and the admissions page at https://www.usf.edu/ai-cybersecurity-computing/academics/graduate/prospective-students.aspx. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in cryptographic engineering, hardware security, FPGA, HDL, ARM, and cybersecurity research at a leading US institution.