Post-Doc M/F : Design of secure short packet codes for IoT networks

Job Description

Missions

The project aims to design efficient codes for IoT networks with low latency constraints, with the goal of approaching the optimal secrecy rate as a function of the blocklength, error probability and information leakage [1].

[1] W. Yang, R. F. Schaefer, and H. V. Poor, “Wiretap channels: Nonasymptotic fundamental limits,” IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. 65, no. 7, pp. 4069–4093, 2019.

Activity

Context :
IoT communications are characterized by dense networks of computation-and-power-limited devices, under low latency constraints, with light infrastructure, with the purpose of data gathering, distributed inference and control. These terminals might lack the processing power to implement traditional cryptographic protocols.
In this context, physical layer security techniques such as wiretap coding are a promising solution to reduce the computational costs related to key distribution.

Research program :
Polar codes, already integrated in the 5G New Radio standard for the control channel, provably achieve the capacity of symmetric channels and do not admit an error floor. Another attractive property of polar codes is that they provide strong secrecy guarantees against eavesdroppers, with explicit leakage bounds in finite blocklength [2].
However, for short blocklengths, the performance of polar codes lags behind the state-of-the-art, and their finite-length scaling exponent is suboptimal. Variants such as Adjacent-Bits swapped and multi-kernel polar codes have better scaling exponents, but at the price of an increased decoding complexity. The project will build on our preliminary results [3] and propose new code constructions for realistic channel models.


[2] H. Mahdavifar and A. Vardy, “Achieving the secrecy capacity of wiretap channels using polar codes”, IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. 57, no. 10, Oct 2011.
[3] L. Luzzi, V. Bioglio, “Finite-blocklength performance of polar wiretap codes under a total variation secrecy constraint”, IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory, Guangzhou, China, 2026

Your Profil

Skills

Requirements
For this position, you should meet the following requirements:
• PhD in information theory, coding theory or digital communications
• Expertise in channel coding / information theory
• Good programming skills
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Scientific curiosity and desire to work in an interdisciplinary project
• Intellectual rigor and proactive attitude

Hiring process
All applications must be submitted via this portal (i.e. Portail emploi CNRS) and should include:
• CV (3 pages max)
• Motivation letter including a short description of your background, a statement of your
research interests and motivation for this position, and why you think you would be a good
fit (1 page)
• Summary of the PhD research
• Two reference letters or contact details of two referees
• Two samples of publications (links to publicly available online documents are accepted)
For full consideration, all the items listed above should be included or the absence thereof justified.
Informal inquiries via email prior to full applications are welcome.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

Your Work Environment

This position is funded by the PEPR 5G Networks of the Future project, PC6 FITNESS « Development of innovative technical solutions for the Internet of Things ». The project is thus part of a larger scientific project including internal and external collaborations from which the candidate will be able to benefit. The project will be carried out in the ICI (Information, Communication, Imagerie) team of ETIS (UMR8051), under Dr. Laura Luzzi's primary supervision.
ETIS is a joint lab between CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA and CNRS, and a prominent
research unit in computer science and information technologies in France. ICI is one of ETIS's
four multi-PI groups and is specialized in signal processing, information theory and wireless communications. The group's research areas include optimization of resource allocation for wireless communication systems, massive MIMO, NOMA systems, physical layer security, etc.
ICI has built a world-class reputation and has become a major actor in these research
areas in France with multiple national and international collaborations.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,132 and €4,343 gross, depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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