Sequoia Lab

Secure Quantum-era Integrated Architecture Lab

University of California, Merced

Join the Lab

We are always looking for bright minds to join our team. Explore opportunities for Ph.D. students, visiting scholars, and undergraduate researchers.

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Now Recruiting for Fall 2026!

We are actively recruiting fully funded Ph.D. students and Postdoctoral Researchers for Fall 2026 entry. Research areas include cryptography hardware acceleration, Fully Homomorphic Encryption(FHE),Post-Quantum Cryptography(PQC), side-channel attacks, LLM security, and quantum security.

school Prospective Ph.D. Students

I am looking for highly motivated Ph.D. students who are interested in one or more of the following areas:

  • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): Efficient hardware/software implementation and optimization of lattice-based, code-based, and hash-based cryptographic schemes.
  • Hardware Security: FPGA/ASIC design for cryptographic accelerators, PUF-based security primitives, and NTT/FHE hardware architectures.
  • Confidential Computing: Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), side-channel analysis and mitigation, and secure DNN/LLM inference.
  • Quantum Computing Security: Quantum circuit IP protection, split compilation, and timing side-channel analysis in quantum simulators.

Prior experience in cryptographic implementation, FPGA/ASIC design, embedded systems programming, or side-channel analysis is highly preferred but not strictly required if you are a quick learner.

payments Compensation & Support

  • Full tuition coverage + competitive stipend
  • Fall 2026 PhD: TA/RA pre-tax salary starts at $3,000/month
  • Postdoc positions start at $4,500/month

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or above; preference for candidates with backgrounds in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields
  • Strong programming ability, or experience in hardware design / FPGA programming
  • Preference for candidates with hardware security research experience and publications
  • Passionate about research, curious and exploratory, with good communication skills and team spirit

How to Apply

  1. Check our Research and Publications pages to see if your interests match the lab's direction.
  2. Submit your application through the UC Merced Graduate Division.
  3. Email your application materials (CV, transcripts, papers) to qianwang@ucmerced.edu with subject line "UCM-PHD-Application + Your Name".
  4. Briefly describe your research background and why you want to join Sequoia Lab.
info
Note: Due to the high volume of emails, I may not be able to reply to every inquiry. If you do not hear back within 2 weeks, please feel free to send a reminder or assume that there isn't a good match at this time. However, I read every email carefully.

work Postdoctoral Researchers

We are recruiting postdoctoral researchers with expertise in hardware security, post-quantum cryptography, or related areas. Postdoc positions offer competitive compensation starting at $4,500/month.

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • Strong publication record in relevant areas
  • Experience with cryptographic implementations, FPGA/ASIC design, or security analysis

Please email your CV, research statement, and representative publications to qianwang@ucmerced.edu with subject "UCM-Postdoc-Application + Your Name".

menu_book Undergraduate Researchers

UC Merced undergraduates are welcome to join the lab for research experience. We usually have projects involving cryptographic implementations, hardware security testing, and FPGA programming.

  • Minimum commitment of 10 hours/week is expected.
  • Prior coursework in computer architecture, digital logic, or security is a plus.
  • Opportunities to co-author papers and attend conferences.

Please email me your CV and unofficial transcript with the subject "[Undergrad Research] Your Name".

flight_takeoff Visiting Students & Scholars

We welcome visiting students and scholars who have their own funding. We can provide office space, computing resources, and research mentorship. The duration is typically 6 months to 1 year.

person Contact PI

Portrait of Dr. Qian Wang

Dr. Qian Wang

Assistant Professor, EE

email qianwang@ucmerced.edu
location_on University of California, Merced

science Research Areas

  • chevron_right Post-Quantum Cryptography
  • chevron_right Hardware Security Primitives (PUF, NTT, FHE)
  • chevron_right Quantum Circuit IP Protection
  • chevron_right Side-Channel Analysis
  • chevron_right Confidential Computing

link Useful Links

location_city Why UC Merced?

  • trending_up California's "rising star" — now ranked top 60 nationally by U.S. News
  • landscape Close to Yosemite National Park — top outdoor destination in California
  • directions_car ~2 hours to San Francisco/Bay Area, ~4 hours to Los Angeles
  • savings Strong UC support with relatively low cost of living — excellent value