Undergraduate Intern on Proof Complexity and Circuit Complexity

Undergraduate Intern on Proof Complexity and Circuit Complexity

The  Department  of  Computer  Science,  University  of  Oxford,  is  currently  looking  for  one outstanding candidate to fill a role of an Undergraduate Intern on the Royal Society project `Proof complexity and circuit complexity: a unified approach’.

The goal of the project is to develop new methods for analysing the computational complexity of algorithms which could eventually help to resolve the P versus NP problem and other central problems in complexity theory. This includes investigations of connections between complexity lower bounds, learning algorithms, cryptography and mathematical logic.

The intern will have the opportunity to learn more about recent discoveries in the area and contribute to the development of theories addressing some of the most fundamental scientific questions today.

Responsibilities

• Manage own research and administrative activities, within guidelines provided by senior colleagues.
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques
• Test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate
• Contribute to wider project planning, including ideas for new research projects
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the group on scientific procedures
• Contribute to discussions and share research findings with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups

Selection criteria

Essential

• Not holding a degree
• Knowledge of computational complexity theory and mathematical logic
• Potential to lead the development of research articles for publication
• Potential to conduct and complete research projects
• Ability to manage own academic research and associated activities
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation
• Excellent communication skills and a potential to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings

 Desirable

• Experience of independently managing a discrete area of a research project
• Experience of actively collaborating in the development of research articles for publication

Application

The post is expected to be for 3 weeks, 33 hours per week, starting early July 2024 at Grade 5.1 £15.15 per hour.

If you are a student holding a student visa, then you are permitted to work full-time for 8 weeks and 4 weeks part-time (max 20 hrs per week).

The post will be subject to the right to work in the UK. We CAN NOT sponsor visa applications due to the short duration of the project.

Applications should be submitted to Human Resources Department at hr@cs.ox.ac.uk  with a resume or CV. A short paragraph on your background, interests and motivation to apply will be helpful.

The subject of the email should be: “Internship Application for Proof Complexity and Circuit Complexity”.

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 16^th February 2024.  Candidates will be shortlisted and invited for an online interview by the end of February or early March.