Nokia Bell Labs Internship ZK-Friendly Compression Schemes PhD 

Belgium 

276252565

Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs, such as SNARKS, enable succinct publicly verifiable computation on data. This is critically important for processing tasks that are outsourced to other parties, where verifiability is essential. In recent years, ZK proving systems and protocols (SumCheck, Plonk, STARK) have seen tremendous performance improvements. However, when applied to large data input, especially when processed in raw, uncompressed format, the computational overhead remains substantial.

The goal of this internship is to explore techniques to optimize ZK operations on compressed — and potentially AES-encrypted — data. By exploiting the specifics of these data formats, it should be possible to gain large speed-ups compared to a naive processing of such data in ZK. This project addresses the unique challenge of integrating cryptographic efficiency with compression techniques. It offers the opportunity to work on a cutting-edge intersection of cryptography, compression, and real-world data processing. You will work to develop and evaluate novel approaches that can reduce proving costs and computational overhead in ways that push the boundaries of current understanding in the field.

This role requires both creative problem-solving and practical implementation skills. You'll be encouraged to think beyond existing paradigms, tackle challenging problems, and see your contributions have a meaningful impact on the future of verifiable processing of compressed data.

flexible, to be agreed (typically 3-4 months), starting time is flexible

Your tasks and what you’ll gain

• You will work on a cutting-edge intersection of cryptography, compression, and real-world data processing.
• You will work to develop and evaluate novel approaches that can reduce proving costs and computational overhead
• You will be pushed to think beyond existing paradigms

• Student enrolled inPh.D. Computer Science/Engineering
• Proficiency in Rust, Go, Python and/or C++
• Language skills: English
• Experience with compression and/or cryptography is a big plus.
• Ability to think outside the box is highly valued
• A strong publication record is a significant advantage.

Nokia has received the following recognitions for its commitment to inclusion & equality:

• One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere
• Gender-Equality Index by Bloomberg
• Workplace Pride Global Benchmark