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Information for prospective PhD, Honours, MSc, and research students
Welcome! If you like security, cryptography, and blockchains, and you enjoy turning “this should work” into “this provably works”, you might fit right in.
What we work on
Broadly, we work on cryptography and secure protocols, especially where rigorous theory meets real systems.
MPC & threshold cryptography
Secure computation, distributed protocols, threshold signatures, and protocols with strong adversarial guarantees.
Blockchain security and fairness
Cryptographic tools for blockchains, cryptocurrencies, fair exchange, adaptor signatures, and protocol-level privacy.
Post-quantum cryptography
Quantum-resistant protocols, signatures, secure computation, and constructions that remain efficient enough to be useful.
If you enjoy proofs, protocols, and occasionally proving that a “clever hack” is actually a bug, we will probably get along.
Who should reach out?
I am happy to hear from:
- Prospective PhD students
- Honours and MSc thesis students
- Strong coursework students interested in research projects or reading groups
- Students with interests in cryptography, security, blockchains, or privacy
What you might do here
Read deeply
Read and discuss papers, learn to extract the core idea, and translate crypto-speak into clear English.
Build rigorously
Design protocols, define threat models, prove security, and understand where assumptions enter the picture.
Prototype when useful
Build small prototypes or run benchmarks when implementation helps clarify feasibility.
Write clearly
Learn how to turn ideas into papers, talks, and submissions to strong venues.
How to reach out
Email is best. Before emailing, you may want to read one paper from the area that interests you and tell me what you found exciting, confusing, or questionable. A thoughtful paragraph is more useful than a generic statement of interest.
To make sure your message does not get lost, please use a clear subject line:
Prospective <PhD/Honours/MSc> student – <Your Name> – <Topic> Prospective PhD student – Satoshi Nakamoto – MPC/Threshold Crypto Please include:
- Your CV as a PDF
- Your academic transcript; unofficial is fine to start
- A short note of 5–10 sentences explaining what topics excite you, why this group or direction interests you, and any relevant experience.
Optional but helpful: links to GitHub, writing samples, a short research statement, or papers/projects you are proud of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know cryptography already?
No, but you should be comfortable with mathematical reasoning and willing to read proofs carefully.
Do I need to be a strong programmer?
It is helpful, but not required. Some projects are proof-heavy and purely theoretical, while others involve building prototypes and running benchmarks. But this skill can be picked up along the way (Hint: There are AI tools to help you here.)
Can undergraduate students work with you?
Yes, through honours programs, coursework research projects, reading groups, or summer-style projects, depending on my current availability.
What should I read before emailing?
A great starting point is to look at recent papers spanning MPC/threshold cryptography, blockchain fairness, and post-quantum cryptography. Mentioning a specific paper from my recent publications that caught your eye is always a great way to start a conversation.
Are there funded PhD positions?
Funding generally depends on university scholarship rounds (such as the RTP at the University of Sydney) and specific project grants. Strong applicants should contact me early so we can discuss timelines, project fit, and scholarship applications.
What makes a good first email?
Following the subject line format and providing the materials requested above! Please do not send a generic email; I care much more about a specific, thoughtful note regarding why our interests align than a long, pasted template.