Publisher
source

University of Southampton

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PhD in Cybersecurity for Brain–Computer Interfaces and Neural Data Protection University of Southampton in United Kingdom

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Competition Funded PhD Project. Funding opportunities are available for UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students. Competition-based Presidential Bursaries may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants. Competition-based studentships typically cover UK-level tuition fees plus a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.

Deadline

Jan 31, 2027

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Country

United Kingdom

University

University of Southampton

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Keywords

Computer Science
Biomedical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mathematics
Cybersecurity
Brain-computer Interface
Hardware Security
Embedded System
Physics

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About this position

PhD opportunity at the University of Southampton in cybersecurity for brain–computer interfaces, with a focus on protecting neural data inside the implant. The project sits in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and is supervised by Dr Majid Zamani within BrainLoop, a group with experience taking neural-interface chips through fabrication and using industry-standard CAD, wafer fabrication, and side-channel measurement equipment.

This PhD combines computer science, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, and hardware security. The research asks how to build trust into the chip itself rather than relying only on software, and will move from threat modelling to lightweight cryptographic design, FPGA prototyping, fabricated silicon, and side-channel evaluation. The project is especially relevant to students interested in secure implants, neural data privacy, embedded systems, and security for emerging neurotechnology.

Entry requirements include a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in computer science, electronic/electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely related subject. Applicants should have strong programming skills, a working understanding of applied security, and enough mathematical maturity to reason formally about security properties. Helpful experience includes digital design, embedded C, FPGAs, hardware description languages, cryptographic implementation, side-channel analysis, or digital signal processing.

Funding is competitive and may include Horizon Europe fee waivers, Presidential Bursaries, or school studentships. These may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees and, in some cases, provide UK-level tuition plus a living stipend. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged.

How to apply: submit an application for the 2027/28 Research programme in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, select full-time or part-time, and search for PhD Electronic & Electrical Engineering (7092). Add the supervisor name in section 2 and include a research proposal, CV, two academic references, transcripts/certificates, and English language evidence if needed.

Deadline: 2027-01-31.

Funding details

Competition Funded PhD Project. Funding opportunities are available for UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students. Competition-based Presidential Bursaries may cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants. Competition-based studentships typically cover UK-level tuition fees plus a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.

What's required

Applicants must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in computer science, electronic or electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely related subject. Essential skills include strong programming ability in C, C++, Rust, or Python for numerical work; working understanding of applied security such as authentication, access control, key handling, or adversarial machine learning; and sufficient mathematical maturity to read and write formal arguments about security properties. Desirable experience includes digital design, embedded C, FPGAs, hardware description languages, cryptographic implementation, side-channel analysis, digital signal processing, independent research output, or professional experience in regulated security-critical systems. Non-native English speakers must meet the University of Southampton English requirement (IELTS 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each component).

How to apply

Apply online for the 2027/28 Research programme in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Select full-time or part-time, search for PhD Electronic & Electrical Engineering (7092), and add the supervisor name in section 2. Include a research proposal, CV, two academic references, transcripts/certificates, and English qualification if applicable.

More information can be found here

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