A Proposal to The PhD Marriage
Published by Muoi Tran on March 10, 2025
If you are passionate about cybersecurity, networking, and cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of what is possible, I invite you to consider joining our Secura Lab at Chalmers University of Technology as PhD students.
As the famous Marriage vs. the PhD comic hilariously illustrates, committing to a PhD has a lot in common with committing to a marriage. Think of this blog post as our PhD “marriage proposal”—a chance for you to learn about our lab culture, our expectations, and how to take the next steps if you decide we’re the right fit for you.
If you are still deciding on doing a PhD, please refer to Andrej’s “A Survival Guide to a PhD”, which inspired me to write this proposal.
About me
My background
I am a very fresh Assistant Professor (AP) at Chalmers, only into my second week as of this writing! My routing path has included Vietnam (BsC), Singapore (PhD), Switzerland (Postdoc), and Sweden (AP) as nodes. More information about my background can be found here.
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| Figure 1 — Network Security research is (…obviously) an intersection of Networking and Security. |
My expertise
Our Secura Lab’s expertise lies in Network Security, see Figure 1. Regarding the “Network” aspect, we have focused on Internet routing (i.e., BGP), P2P networks (e.g., of cryptocurrency), and recently, in-networks (e.g., within an ISP). Regarding the “Security” aspect, our research has been about ensuring availability and privacy of systems as well as finding buggy code. Our publications are available here.
My advisorship
I always strive to provide the best advice to my lab members, guiding them toward becoming the best versions of themselves. This extends beyond research—it also includes developing transferable skills and fostering personal growth.
Our lab prioritizes impactful contributions over incremental work. Whenever possible, we aim to publish our findings in top security conferences, such as IEEE S&P, Usenix Security, ACM CCS, and NDSS. Research performance is the sole criterion for evaluation in our lab. By the end of their PhD, each student will have become an expert in their research area, capable of conducting independent research—from generating ideas to publishing papers.
However, a PhD is not just about the number of papers published; it’s also about acquiring transferable skills that remain valuable beyond academia. Whether you choose to continue in research or transition into industry, we focus on developing critical thinking, structured planning, and effective communication skills. For example, we dedicate substantial time to refining papers before submission, preparing slides for lectures, and rehearsing presentations to ensure clarity and impact.
Regarding personal growth, a PhD is just one step in your career journey, and our goal is to support your growth intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Gaining knowledge is expected, but our shared mission is to create new knowledge—after all, that’s the essence of a PhD. Along the way, you’ll face challenges, and we’ll work together to strengthen your resilience, teaching you to embrace failures as part of the process (and the fun!). Beyond research, we’ll help you build and maintain strong relationships—with your advisor, your colleagues, and the broader research community. Our lab fosters a respectful, high-standard, yet flexible working environment that I hope you will enjoy.
One important note: I don’t see myself as “the boss” who micromanages every research task. Instead, I consider myself a senior researcher here to help you navigate your PhD journey. I also hope to learn from you—just as in a real marriage! And sincerely, I hope our advisor-student relationship will last well beyond your PhD years.
About you
We assume that you already meet the basic qualifications for a PhD position in our lab—such as holding or pursuing a Master’s degree in CS, CE, or EE. Combined with a strong motivation to pursue a PhD, you are already a strong candidate, and I have no doubt that you will receive an offer somewhere soon. The remaining question is: How well do you fit this specific position and our lab culture?
We typically receive hundreds of applications for each advertised position, and unfortunately, we can only offer spots to the most suitable candidates. The key qualities we look for fall into three categories: background match, technical skills, and personal characteristics.
Let’s assume there’s an open position in Network Security. If your background includes networking or cybersecurity—such as doing your Master’s thesis in one of these areas—you are a good fit. If your thesis is at the intersection of both fields, you are an excellent fit. However, if your background is unrelated, the learning curve will likely be too steep. Of course, you can always attempt to climb a mountain you’ve never visited, but we recommend bringing the right gear—skills and knowledge acquired during your Master’s studies.
We also expect a certain level of technical proficiency, including coding experience, research skills, and communication abilities. As a PhD student in Computer Science, you will likely need to design and implement proof-of-concept prototypes (not necessarily production-grade). Your research experience should include essential skills such as conducting literature reviews, presenting findings, and writing research reports. While prior publications in conferences or journals are a plus, they are not a strict requirement for joining our lab. We also emphasize the importance of clear communication. The ability to deliver your ideas and understand discussions is crucial—because without it, all of our communications would become unreliable just like UDP.
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| Figure 2 — Doing a PhD requires a strong mentality. |
While every individual has a unique personality, certain traits will help you thrive in our lab: mental resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Indeed, A PhD isn’t just a matter of 5 years × 260 working days × 8 hours per day = 10,400 hours. It’s also about intense effort at critical times, especially before deadlines (see Figure 2). Even though we strive to create a supportive and comfortable environment, you will inevitably face pressure. This is simply the reality of staying competitive with leading research worldwide. The good news is that you won’t be going through it alone—we will face challenges together and as the old saying goes, “Calamity is man’s true touchstone.” Another essential quality is leadership—we seek students who are independent, proactive, and constructive in their approach to research. As an advisor, I will provide guidance, but I will not micromanage every step of your work. If you’re looking for a highly structured, directive research environment, our lab may not be the right fit for you. Finally, you must be a team player. Your PhD journey will not be a solo endeavor as you will collaborate with lab members, researchers from adjacent labs, and colleagues at Chalmers. We strongly believe that supporting each other and progressing as a team is the key to a successful PhD.
About us
Do you think we’d have a happy “marriage”? Great! Here’s what to do next:
First, check our lab’s front page for open positions.
When applying, highlight your background, technical skills, and personal characteristics—specifically, how you align with our lab culture.
For example, we are currently hiring up to two PhD students in Network Security.
The deadline is 31 March 2025.
Second, reach out to my current or former students, as well as Ph.D. students at Chalmers. This will give you an authentic perspective on my advising style and what PhD life here is really like. Think of this as checking my references—after all, choosing an advisor is just as important as us selecting candidates. I highly recommend this step and can provide contacts upon request.
Third, if you’re offered a position—welcome aboard! But before diving into this marriage, consider throwing yourself a “bachelor party” (metaphorically, of course). It doesn’t have to be as wild as The Hangover, but do take some me-time to mentally prepare for the exciting journey ahead. Your Ph.D. will be a transformative experience—so get ready to enjoy the ride! 🚀
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