Internship | Verifiable Provenances

The concepts of self-sovereign identity (SSI) are rapidly gaining momentum– European regulation towards digital identities, digital credentials and digital wallets is moving ahead at full steam - while the ecosystem is rapidly maturing with many contenders for various types of standards (W3C VC, W3C DIDs, mDl, HyperLedger AnonCreds, etc.), application-level problems for these concepts have yet to be solved. The core part of each of the concepts is digital signatures – which can be used to ensure a decentralized “Web of Trust” for the modern internet. Specifically in the context of this assignment, digital product provenances do not yet have solid implementations or general accepted standards. We are interested in finding a way to create networks of digital credentials associated with digital identities in an optimal verifiable provenance graph. Some of the relevant standards for describing a provenance graph may be KERI (https://github.com/WebOfTrust/ietf-keri) and ACDC (https://github.com/trustoverip/tswg-acdc-specification), but we are also open to analyzing new and upcoming solutions (or perhaps even pitching a new one!). Similarly a relevant standard for selective disclosure digital signatures include BBS+ (https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-di-bbs/).

We are currently in the process of researching digital product passports – digital representations of data that are signed and held by organizations and/or individuals. These may be used for various purposes, and the initial pioneering domains are for battery product passports, material product passports and for equipment in manufacturing. It is of great interest to create a provenance graph of such credentials that allow regulators and analysts to obtain a bird’s eye view of verified data across a complex supply chain, with credentials issued across domains, boundaries and even formats. We need to research the possibilities to build such provenance graphs.

In general, this is an open-ended assignment – things that need to be achieved include:

• Researching open standards and in-progress developments to identify the best possible means of developing a verifiable provenance graph.
• Identifying usable open-source code to create demonstrations and prototypes, with adequate support.
• Creating a useful report and deliverables, which may be of publishable quality and submitted to an appropriate conference.
• (Optionally) Interacting with stakeholders to identify real-life use-cases and semantic models to gain context and build a more specific solution.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, and curious student working on graduating from their masters or bachelors with knowledge regarding IT, data engineering and/or distributed systems. You should be willing to learn new technologies related to self-sovereign identity, federated data sharing infrastructures and/or digital signature schemes and are able to think through abstract concepts towards their practical implication.

• Working towards a masters degree, or graduating from a bachelor’s degree;
• Degree in IT or related domain (e.g. Data Engineering, Data Science, Computer Science, Cyber-security);
• Willingness to learn.

You want to work on the precursor of your career; a work placement gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Naturally, we provide suitable work placement compensation.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Students must reside in the Netherlands before the start and also throughout the internship or graduation project at TNO.