PhD Position Opening (Fall 2026) – Secure Logic Synthesis
I am recruiting a PhD student to join my research group at Villanova University starting Fall 2026.
The position is supported by an ONR-funded project titled “Infusing Structural Security into Logic Synthesis Tools.” This research aims to fundamentally rethink Electronic Design Automation (EDA) by embedding security objectives directly into logic synthesis. Rather than treating hardware security as an afterthought, we are developing next-generation synthesis methodologies that are secure by design.
Research Areas Include: Secure logic synthesis, Hardware security, EDA/CAD tool development, Structural security metrics, Formal and algorithmic methods, and AI-assisted synthesis techniques.
Funding: Full tuition and stipend support is included through the ONR grant.
Ideal Background: Computer/Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science, with interest in: Logic design / VLSI, CAD / EDA tools, Hardware security, Algorithms / optimization, and C/C++/Python.
Students interested are encouraged to reach out directly via email at kyle.juretus@villanova.edu.