Questions tagged [career]

questions about attaining and maintaining a career in fields related to theoretical computer science

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Where should I apply for MS in CS if I want to get admitted for Phd in TCS

I'm currently finishing my bachelor's degree of Computer Science and I'm really interested in Computational Complexity Theory and Analysis and design of Algorithms. As far as I know, if I do not have ...
Marinovsky's user avatar
16 votes
4 answers
3k views

Algorithms Careers

I’ve been writing software for a living for a number of years now. I have graduate background in mathematics and I am wondering whether knowledge of higher algorithms is utilized anywhere in industry. ...
Joe Shmo's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
186 views

What math courses should I revisit to prepare for a CS Ph.D. (Reinforcement learning and Game Theory)?

I am planning to join a CS Ph.D. program in 6 months. My topics of research will be in the area of Reinforcement Learning and Game Theory. Even though I have a good grasp of these two topics’ ...
Fahim's user avatar
  • 19
5 votes
1 answer
438 views

Advice on undergraduate research

I am a junior in college who is very interested in doing some sort of REU/research internship in theoretical computer science this summer, as I would like to get research experience before potentially ...
user13251577's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
483 views

Which are the best universities for a DPhil/PhD in proof theory and automated reasoning?

I'm an undergraduate student studying computer science and I'm interested in doing a PhD after I graduate. I would like to do research in proof theory and automated reasoning, specifically in ...
frafle's user avatar
  • 33
-2 votes
1 answer
478 views

Graduate school for CS theory?

I am currently studying a bachelor's in (joint honours) Mathematics and Computer Science in the UK. I am intrigued by the sorts of problems present in theoretical computer science and I want to ...
someone111's user avatar
15 votes
2 answers
11k views

What are theoretical computer science jobs?

Beside academia which is clearly the home of theorists, I am wondering about industrial jobs related to theoretical computer science, the ones which demand pure mathematical background. Cheers !
user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
326 views

Awards, grants and fellowships for PhD students in TCS

I think that a PhD student that received some awards and fellowships has better chance to get a good postdoc position. I was wondering what awards/grants/fellowships should one consider to apply for? ...
PhD student's user avatar
40 votes
1 answer
2k views

Importance of single author papers?

I'm a fourth year PhD student in theoretical computer science. I'd like to stay in academia, so I'm thinking about how best to advance my career. Obviously the best way to do that is write lots of ...
Student's user avatar
  • 329
5 votes
1 answer
280 views

Is education for research-based CS at odds with that of industrial CS?

I'm an undergraduate strongly interested (well, this is a hunch) in theoretical CS and all things mathematical. While I'd like to devote my time to participating in research opportunities and learning ...
Muno's user avatar
  • 171
2 votes
1 answer
354 views

General question about pursuing TCS

I am currently an undergraduate heading into my senior year. I've taken some theory/math classes (algorithms, and set theory/topology) in the past year and am taking quite a few more this year (more ...
user2593562's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
913 views

How much programming is practiced in Theoretical Computer Science jobs?

I am an undergraduate student studying Information Technology. I like both math and CS, so I am considering to go into either "Computer Science and Math" or "Theoretical Computer Science" for my ...
Luke's user avatar
  • 121
4 votes
0 answers
284 views

Faculty hiring differences between US and UK/Germany [closed]

This question contains some great answers on how to get a job. I wonder whether there are some significant differences if I will be looking for a position in Europe (in particular, UK and Germany) as ...
Maram's user avatar
  • 141
52 votes
3 answers
8k views

How to find interesting research problems

Despite several years of classes, I'm still at a loss when it comes to choosing a research topic. I've been looking over papers from different areas and spoken with professors, and I'm beginning to ...
al92's user avatar
  • 673
0 votes
1 answer
1k views

Which areas of TCS are better for a math bachelor?

I am graduating from mathemetics bachelor program and I've been accepted for masters degree in mathematics. But I am not sure to pursue math, hence I am looking for other field I can do research. I am ...
23089's user avatar
  • 155
14 votes
1 answer
3k views

Careers for theoretical computer scientists

What are the typical careers for theoretical computer scientists (people with graduate degree in theoretical computer science)? What kind of industries and institutions look for theoretical computer ...
Lefteris's user avatar
  • 169
2 votes
1 answer
895 views

How to become a Theoretical Computer Scientist [closed]

I am a computer science graduate from India. I have worked in a reputed software company for 10 months only to discover that my area of interest is something else. So I resigned from there and I am ...
Unni's user avatar
  • 159
7 votes
3 answers
791 views

What is the importance of a TCS researcher in a mostly applied CS department?

Stating the title in another way, how to convince a strong applied CS department that a theorist would be a better choice than one more applied computer scientist? I understand that it is natural for ...
Vinicius dos Santos's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
1k views

What should I do to switch from math department to cs to research tcs topics?

This can be a very weird question, but I haven't seen the same situation with mine in this forum, so I'd like to put this. Let me introudce my situation first. I'm now a math student of master ...
Charlie's user avatar
  • 61
7 votes
0 answers
549 views

Does a depth knowledge on theory of computation helps to be a better practitioner

I would like to know whether knowledge of the theory of computation can help you to be a better practitioner. Is it enough to obtain some depth of knowledge of algorithms and data structures, or would ...
Sebastian Valencia's user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
910 views

How can I use my computational theory and analysis powers for the greater good?

Outside of academia, what are the uses of my 'powers'? What can I do other than teaching and publishing papers? Where all can I apply my powers? For the sake of argument: Please assume I have a PhD ...
PhD's user avatar
  • 5,255
26 votes
6 answers
3k views

Can one return to a TCS research job after an excursion to a non-research industry job?

I have heard from some senior researchers in theoretical computer science that working in a non-research industry job, even just for a few years, will kill your career as a TCS researcher. However I ...
Holger's user avatar
  • 975
24 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is it sometimes better to not publish at all?

I hope this is not a politically incorrect question to ask, but for a PhD student who usually publishes at CCC/ITCS/ICALP (and occasionally at FOCS/STOC), could it be harmful (career-wise) to publish ...
Belle's user avatar
  • 725
21 votes
1 answer
3k views

What are some careers in theoretical computer science that do not require a PhD?

I am an undergraduate, and have recently come to terms with the fact that I may not have the intellect to do research in theoretical computer science, or be able to be admitted into and complete a PhD ...
user10240's user avatar
  • 319
-5 votes
1 answer
391 views

Theoretical Computer Science or Sensor Networks

I am a first year PhD student in computer science. The major areas my supervisor is working with are: Theoretical Computer Science (knowledge representation, uncertainty, etc.) and wireless sensor ...
picmate's user avatar
  • 93
4 votes
2 answers
875 views

What is considered significant when applying for a TCS PhD with major changed

I am a Master student on CS. Actually in theory. I have a BE in polymer (Chemical Eng stuff), and I struggled somehow to get enrolled in this program. I want to apply a TCS PhD in US. So, what do ...
Yao Wang's user avatar
  • 329
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

About switching from a computer scientist to a mathematician

What is the possibility for a computer scientist to change his field into a pure mathematician ? and what's the most smooth way to do it ? any examples for people who could make it ?
Akram Hassan's user avatar
11 votes
5 answers
3k views

How to find a specific research topic to concentrate on?

I recently started my masters course. Last semester I took courses from different disciplines like networks, software engineering, architecture, etc. Recently, after taking an advanced course in ...
epsilon8's user avatar
  • 241
15 votes
6 answers
8k views

Advice for Graduate School in Computer Science

I am looking for some advice and feedback. Background: I am an undergraduate mathematics student, with an interest in theoretical computer science (computational complexity, graph theory, ...
Quaternary's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
818 views

Monitoring PhD positions in TCS

Are there any ways of getting to know about new PhD positions in TCS other then just looking trough ubniversity/research groups web sites? Maybe people from different branches (type theory, ...
Artem Pelenitsyn's user avatar
72 votes
12 answers
9k views

How important is knowing how to program for TCS?

Coming from a more mathematical background, I never really learned how to code. I am starting a PhD in TCS and many people were surprised by how little I knew about programming (and about computer in ...
Gopi's user avatar
  • 1,655
16 votes
3 answers
11k views

Graduate studies (PhD) in CS Theory vs. Applied Math

Given most American universities only accept applications in only one field, I'm trying to figure out what are the advantages/disadvantages of applying to a CS theory program vs an applied math ...
user972432's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
2k views

How easy is it to switch the area of research in CS (going from M.Tech to PhD)?

I'm faced with a rather tough dilemma :- I had completed M.Tech in CS 2 years back, completing my dissertation in the field of VLSI Testing. While I liked my work, I don't wish to go back to pursue ...
TCSGrad's user avatar
  • 456
16 votes
4 answers
1k views

When are more publications less?

Are there cases where extra publications can hurt your record? This is avoiding the obvious cases where you publish incorrect, or controversial results. Also avoiding the case of finite-time: you ...
Artem Kaznatcheev's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
395 views

What do I need to know about post-doc

I am a PhD student in Theoretical Computer Science I am finishing PhD this year and now I want to apply for post-doc positions. I want to know if there exists a source where can I read about how to ...
PhD student's user avatar
10 votes
7 answers
2k views

Are there pre-doc positions in TCS?

Are there positions for recently graduated bachelor or masters students with a record of research to work as a researcher before committing to their PhD? TCS has a culture of post-doc positions for ...
Artem Kaznatcheev's user avatar
19 votes
5 answers
2k views

Where can you find job postings for faculty positions in CS theory?

What are the best resources for finding job postings for faculty positions in CS theory? Is there one website or mailing list in particular that is fairly comprehensive? I currently have the ...
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

The average number of annual publications for CS postdocs

What is the average number of publications (including conference proceedings), per year, for CS postdoctoral researchers in the US? What are the ways to find out or estimate this number?
Leo's user avatar
  • 207
12 votes
8 answers
7k views

What math courses should I take to prepare for a CS masters or PhD?

I'm a self-taught professional programmer. I am pretty good at it (Ruby, Unix, Clojure, Java, Objective-C), but now I'm thinking of taking it to the next level by maybe applying for a masters or PhD ...
dan's user avatar
  • 231
20 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is a PhD in TCS the best way towards achieving a career in industrial research?

My idea of a dream career is a career in industrial research, where one gets to tackle problems which are challenging, and also have a practical usage. To that end, is pursuing a PhD in TCS (I'm ...
TCSGrad's user avatar
  • 456
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

Deciding between different PhD programs

Edited Version What are the main characteristics and qualities that you would consider if you were going to choose a PhD program in theoretical computer science (or related areas) today (based on ...
27 votes
7 answers
4k views

Why would a TCS researcher need funding?

I was reading this. It says ... You won't find yourself as starving for funding like Pure Mathematics. (You'll still always find yourself starving for funding.)... Why do pure mathematicians need ...
Pratik Deoghare's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
3k views

Is a CS degree for me?

I'm a UK student who will soon be going to university and would like some advice from people who have already done this on what course to take. I really enjoy the theoretical side of computer ...
user avatar
39 votes
7 answers
10k views

How do I get started in theoretical CS ?

I'm a freshmen studying computer science and I already know that I want to go into academia with focus of theoretical comp sci. I already read some of papers referenced in this question and this ...
60 votes
6 answers
10k views

How to get a job

I'm new to the site. On mathoverflow this would be community wiki, but I don't see how to set that here. Not a research question, but hopefully of interest to professional theoretical computer ...
41 votes
8 answers
19k views

Why go to theoretical computer science/research?

I'm currently starting on the university [computer science] and there we have lot of opportunities to begin with researching. Before finding this website, I had no intention to go on this way [I ...
24 votes
5 answers
2k views

What are some career options for someone with a computer scientist master degree?

Other than going fully academic and getting a doctorate/post-doc, or going for a more or less 'standard' job in software development, what are some other career options in the full or semi theoretical ...