ERCIM STM 2025: Calling All Security Geniuses for Ph.D. Glory!

Hot Take:

Forget the Oscars or the Nobel Prize; in the world of cybersecurity, the real accolade is the ERCIM STM WG Award for Best Ph.D. Thesis. You know you’ve made it when your research in cryptography gets a standing ovation from a room full of cybersecurity experts. So, if you have a thesis that could potentially save the world from hackers while maintaining your anonymity, here’s your chance to shine in the spotlight—all while wearing your favorite pair of sweatpants.

Key Points:

• The ERCIM STM WG is awarding the best Ph.D. thesis on security and trust management.
• Eligible candidates are Ph.D. holders who defended their thesis in 2024 at a European university.
• Applications require the thesis, a summary, a CV, and two recommendation letters.
• The award ceremony will take place at the International Workshop on Security and Trust Management in Toulouse, France.
• Topics of interest include cryptography, data security, network security, and more.

Ph.D. Candidates Assemble!

Calling all Ph.D. graduates with a penchant for solving puzzles that would make even the Riddler sweat! The European Research Consortium in Informatics and Mathematics (ERCIM) has rolled out the red carpet for your intellectual masterpiece with the 2025 Award for the Best Ph.D. Thesis on Security and Trust Management. So, dust off that thesis, because it’s time to flex your academic muscles and show the world why your work deserves more than just a spot on your mom’s fridge.

The Grand Thesis Slam

If you thought defending your thesis was the final boss of your academic journey, think again. The ERCIM STM WG wants your thesis to go global. They’re looking for works in applied cryptography, data security, identity management, and a slew of other topics that basically scream, “I might just save the internet!” Think of it as the Olympics of Ph.D. theses, where only the most groundbreaking and innovative ideas make it to the podium. And yes, there will be no doping scandals here—only pure, unadulterated brilliance.

How to Throw Your Hat in the Ring

Ready to accept your destiny as the next cybersecurity superstar? The application process is as straightforward as it gets: submit your Ph.D. thesis in PDF format, a snappy summary in English, your CV, and two glowing letters of support—one of which must be from an ERCIM STM WG institution. The deadline is July 31, 2025, and submissions should be sent to Cristina Alcaraz. Consider this your official call to action to prove you’re the Bruce Wayne of cybersecurity research, minus the cape (or add the cape; we won’t judge).

Judging the Cyber-Savvy

Who’s going to judge these tomes of technological triumph? Only a carefully selected committee from the European research community, that’s who. Your thesis will be evaluated on scientific quality, originality, clarity, and potential impact. So, if your work could revolutionize the way we secure our digital lives, you’re already halfway to Toulouse! And if you’re concerned about stage fright, remember: the audience is just a bunch of friendly researchers who love a good encryption debate over a glass of French wine.

Vive la France!

Speaking of France, pack your bags because the award ceremony is happening in Toulouse during the 21st International Workshop on Security and Trust Management on September 25-26, 2025. Imagine presenting your work in the land of baguettes and berets, where the only thing more refined than the cuisine is the intellectual discourse. It’s the perfect backdrop for the crowning achievement of your academic career, complete with an Eiffel Tower keychain souvenir.

So, aspiring cybersecurity Ph.D. holders, this is your moment. Channel your inner digital detective, submit that thesis, and who knows? You might just walk away with the cybersecurity equivalent of an Olympic gold medal. May the best thesis win!