Research Associate - Privacy Enhancing Technologies

The Role

We are recruiting a Research Associate to work on the Trustworthy Digital Infrastructure for Identity Systems programme. They will work closely with the Principal Investigators, the Technical Development Manager, other PDRAs and programme management staff across the team. The project aims to enhance the privacy and security of national digital identity systems, with the ultimate goal to maximise the value to beneficiaries, whilst limiting known and unknown risks to these constituents and maintaining the integrity of the overall system.

The holder of this role will work closely with strategic partners in the digital identity ecosystems, including MOSIP, OpenG2P and national ID authorities, to identify and address high impact use cases, such as eligibility checks for welfare distribution. The candidate will also be responsible for the development of novel, viable privacy-preserving solutions tailored to secure and scalable digital identity systems.

Your Profile

This opportunity will suit a researcher with deep understanding and practical experience in Privacy Enhancing Technologies, applied cryptography, and the broader socio-technical challenges of digital identity. The ideal candidate will be able to navigate the intersection of cryptographic research, system design, and ethical implementation, ensuring privacy goals are met without unintended harms to users or society at large.

You will have:

• PhD in a relevant area which will include Mathematics, Computer Science or similar inter-disciplinary subjects (if close to PhD completion, Research Assistant level will be considered).
• Experience of or aptitude for rigorous computer system and security design, implementation, measurement and evaluation, including experiment design, data capture, and data analysis.
• Experience in Privacy Enhancing Technologies, specifically cryptographic technologies of homomorphic encryption, zero-knowledge proofs and redactable signature schemes.
• Evidence of high quality publication(s) in a relevant field (published or in-press).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in interdisciplinary research and of working in diverse and cross-disciplinary teams.

Main Duties

• Undertake high-quality research, contributing to the broader research aims of the Trustworthy Digital Infrastructure for Identity Systems programme.
• Plan and execute research to develop suitable techniques for the implementation of the existing programmes.
• Facilitate and empower, ensuring voices can be heard across disciplinary boundaries.
• Publish and disseminate high-quality research papers and publications detailing research output and project case-studies.
• Communicate or present research outputs to diverse stakeholders, through conferences, events, meetings, and press opportunities as appropriate.
• Continuously update your knowledge on news, emerging policy and regulation concerning the digital identity ecosystem.
• Undertake required administration tasks and maintain accurate records of all research findings.

Please see our portal for a full breakdown of the role.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 15 May 2025 at 23:59 (London UK, BST)

Terms and Conditions

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis until 31st December 2026. The annual salary is £44,180 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant at a salary of £41,352 per annum.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. We expect staff to come to our office at least 4 days per month. Some roles may require more days in the office; the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at adjustments@turing.ac.uk to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from HR@turing.ac.uk.