脑机接口网络安全：保护植入物内部的神经数据博士研究员

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Postgraduate research project

Cybersecurity for brain–computer interfaces: protecting neural data inside the implant

Funding

Competition funded

Competition funded

View fees and funding

Type of degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Entry requirements

2:1 honours degree

2:1 honours degree

View full entry requirements

Faculty graduate school

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Closing date

31 Jan 2027

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About the project

Potential supervisors

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How to apply

Contact us

About the project

Potential supervisors

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

How to apply

Contact us

About the project

A brain implant cannot be given a new password. Neural data reveals intention and identity, and once stolen it cannot be reset. Yet most security research for brain–computer interfaces stops at the software. This project builds protection into the chip itself, and proves it on silicon you design and fabricate.

Brain–computer interfaces are entering clinics and consumer markets, yet the World Economic Forum reports that over 70% of commercial neurotechnology devices contain exploitable vulnerabilities. Neural data cannot be reset once stolen, and a device that stimulates can be turned against the person it is inside.

Almost every countermeasure proposed for these devices is software, and none reaches the chip inside the implant. Meanwhile implants are moving computation on board, because streaming raw data from a thousand channels costs more power than a patient can carry. On-device processing is assumed to improve privacy. Nobody has measured whether it does.

You will ask what it costs, in microwatts, to make an implant trustworthy, working from threat modelling to lightweight cryptographic design, an FPGA prototype, a fabricated chip, and side-channel evaluation of hardware you designed.

Outcomes:

• a threat model

• measured costs for on-chip protection

• a demonstrator device

You will join BrainLoop, which has taken four neural-interface chips through fabrication, with industry-standard CAD, wafer fabrication and side-channel measurement equipment. Supervision spans biomedical electronics and cyber security.

The School of Electronics and Computer Science is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

Potential supervisors

Lead supervisor

Dr Majid Zamani

Lecturer

Research interests

• Implantable brain-machine interface (iBMI).

• Hardware-efficient processing frameworks (Implantable and wearable devices).

• Applied AI in biomedical engineering.

Entry requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in one of the following:

• computer science

• electronic or electrical engineering

• physics

• mathematics

• a closely related subject

Essential skills:

• strong programming ability in at least one systems language (C, C++, Rust) or in Python for numerical work

• working understanding of applied security: authentication, access control, key handling, or adversarial machine learning

• sufficient mathematical maturity to read and write formal arguments about security properties

Desirable skills:

• any exposure to digital design, embedded C, FPGAs, hardware description languages, cryptographic implementation, side-channel analysis, or digital signal processing

• evidence of independent research output

• professional experience of building or defending production systems with real security requirements, such as regulated payments, healthcare data, or critical infrastructure, is valued as highly as academic security coursework

Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University's English language requirements (IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component).

Fees and funding

We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students. Horizon Europe fee waivers automatically cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for qualifying students.

Competition-based Presidential Bursaries from the University cover the difference between overseas and UK fees for top-ranked applicants.

Competition-based studentships offered by our schools typically cover UK-level tuition fees and a stipend for living costs for top-ranked applicants.

Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

For more information, please visit our postgraduate research funding pages.

How to apply

Apply now

You need to:

• choose programme type (Research), 2027/28, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

• select Full time or Part time

• search for programme PhD Electronic & Electrical Engineering (7092)

• add name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application

Applications should include:

• research proposal

• your CV (resumé)

• 2 academic references

• degree transcripts and certificates to date

• English language qualification (if applicable)

Contact us

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

For questions about applying, email our Doctoral College (doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk).

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Dr Majid Zamani (M.Zamani@soton.ac.uk).