University of Southampton
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1 week ago
PhD in Usable Security for Crypto Wallets University of Southampton in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Computer Science
Funding
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide). Funding opportunities include Horizon Europe fee waivers that cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students, Presidential Bursaries covering the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants, and competition-based studentships that typically cover UK-level tuition fees plus a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis.
Deadline
Dec 4, 2026
Country
United Kingdom
University
University of Southampton
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About this position
PhD opportunity in usable security for crypto wallets at the University of Southampton, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences / School of Electronics and Computer Science.
This project sits at the intersection of computer science, cyber security, and human-computer interaction. It explores how users perceive and respond to threats in crypto wallets, then designs and evaluates security features, interfaces, and decision-support tools that encourage safer behaviour and reduce human error.
You will study how people manage cryptographic keys, seed phrases, irreversible transactions, scams, and trade-offs between convenience, privacy, and security. The research aims to bridge the gap between technical security risks and the risks users actually recognise and act upon.
Methods may include interviews, focus groups, co-design workshops, longitudinal studies, and surveys. The project may compare newcomers and experienced users, and different wallet types such as custodial, self-custodial, mobile, hardware, and multi-device wallets.
Possible outputs include improved risk communication, transaction warnings, recovery mechanisms, and security-enhancing workflows. The project will evaluate these interventions with end users and assess their effectiveness in improving security outcomes.
Eligibility: UK 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent. English language qualification is required if applicable.
Funding: Competition funded PhD project for students worldwide. Funding may include fee waivers, Presidential Bursaries, or studentships covering UK-level tuition fees and a living stipend for top-ranked applicants. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged.
How to apply: Apply through the University of Southampton portal. Select Research, 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, then PhD Computer Science (7089), and add the supervisor name in section 2. Contact [email protected] for application questions or [email protected] for an initial conversation.
Funding details
Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide). Funding opportunities include Horizon Europe fee waivers that cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students, Presidential Bursaries covering the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants, and competition-based studentships that 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
You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent. Applications should include a research proposal, CV, 2 academic references, degree transcripts and certificates to date, and an English language qualification if applicable.
How to apply
Apply online through the University of Southampton portal. Choose programme type Research, select 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, choose full time or part time, search for PhD Computer Science (7089), and add the supervisor name in section 2. For questions, email [email protected] or contact [email protected] for an initial conversation.
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