Research Assistant/Associate in Theoretical Computer Science (Fixed Term)

Location: West Cambridge 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year. 

The Department of Computer Science and Technology is an academic department that encompasses computer science along with many aspects of engineering, technology and mathematics. We have a worldwide reputation for academic research with consistent top research ratings. The Department has an open and collaborative culture, supporting revolutionary fundamental computer science research, strong cross-cutting collaborations internally and externally, and ideas which transform computing outside the University. Please follow the link at: https://www.cst.cam.ac.uk to find out more about our department. 

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher to join Professor Tom Gurs research group in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge, UK. 

This position is part of a broader effort to advance fundamental research in classical and quantum complexity theory. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research on the interplay of theoretical computer science, mathematics, and quantum mechanics. Particular topics include classical and quantum aspects of: 

• Sublinear algorithms and property testing.
• Cryptography, zero-knowledge proofs, and probabilistically checkable proofs.
• Locally testable and locally decodable codes.
• Computational learning theory.
• Structure-versus-randomness and local-to-global phenomena.
• Harmonic analysis, additive combinatorics, and their applications in theoretical computer science. 

There will be opportunities for collaboration with faculty members and PhD students and to engage with the broader quantum computing and theoretical computer science communities at Cambridge. 

Essentia criteria

Successful candidates will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in Computer Science or a relevant subject area. Appointment at the research associate level depends upon having a PhD or equivalent skills and experience through non-academic routes. Where a PhD has yet to be awarded appointment will initially be made as a Research Assistant and amended to Research Associate when the PhD is awarded. Additional information about the skills required for the position can be found in the further particulars.

Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on the award of a PhD. This is a postdoctoral-level appointment, those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at the Research Assistant -Grade 5, which will be amended to Research Associate-Grade 7 once the award of the PhD has been conferred.

In addition to the base salary, the successful candidate for this post will receive an additional 2.5% supplement to their pay.

For further information please contact Professor Tom Gur: tom.gur@cst.cam.ac.uk 

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above. 

Required documents include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a brief research statement, and contact information for two references. If you upload any additional documents, which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. 

Please quote reference NR51230 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.