Computer Science: Fully Funded PhD studentship in Zero-knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argument of Knowledge for Public Good (RS758)

Funding provider: EPSRC

Subject areas: Formal Verification (Coq Theorem Prover), Cryptography, Electronic Voting

Project start date:
1 October 2025 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Supervisors: Dr. Mukesh Tiwari, Dr. Ulrich Berger

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Computer Science

Mode of study: Full-time

Project description:
Recently, many councils in Wales started using single transferable vote (STV) method for counting ballots. While counting plaintext ballots using STV method is straight forward, but a rank-based ballot may leak the voter’s preferences if published publicly in plaintext, as the ranking order can reveal detailed information about the voter’s identity. Therefore encryption is necessary to hide the ranking. However, STV method  becomes considerably more complex with encrypted ballots. Our goal is to develop an algorithm/protocol to count encrypted ballot using the STV method. Our first point of investigation will be zero-knowledge succint non-interactive argument of knowledge-- ZkSNARK. Subsequently, we will formalise the front-end (R1CS) and back-end (Groth16) of ZkSNARK in the Coq theorem prover and use this formalisation to encode our STV algorithm on encrypted ballots.  This approach aims to ensure both the correctness and privacy of the tallying process, paving the way for verifiable and secure election systems that is resistent to coercion.

Requirement: You are not required to be an expert in Coq or Cryptography; familiarity with Coq and Cryptography is fine. However, you should be comfortable with a functional programming language Haskell, OCaml, etc.

Candidates must hold a UK Bachelor degree with a minimum of Upper Second Class honours in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline or overseas Bachelor degree deemed equivalent to UK Bachelor (by UK ECCTIS) and achieved a grade equivalent to UK Upper Second Class honours in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline

Or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University)  – see country specific qualifications

IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 6.0 in each individual component) or a Swansea recognised equivalent. Details on the Swansea University English Language entry policy can be found here.

ATAS
Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website. 

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

Scholarship open to UK and international fee eligible applicants

To apply, please complete your application online with the following information:

1. Course choice– please select - Computer Science / PhD / Full-time / 3 Years / October
2. Start year– please select 2025
3. Funding (page 8 on the application process)
4. ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select No
5. ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter ‘RS758 - Argument of Knowledge’

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form (online form) 

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Mukesh Tiwari Mukesh.tiwari@swansea.ac.uk

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.