Theoretical Computer Science

Questions tagged [career]

Ask Question

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

42 questions
Newest
Active
Bountied
Unanswered
Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
70
votes
12answers
8k 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 ...
59
votes
6answers
9k 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 ...
47
votes
3answers
6k 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 ...
40
votes
1answer
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 ...
38
votes
8answers
15k 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 ...
37
votes
7answers
7k 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 ...
26
votes
7answers
3k 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 ...
26
votes
6answers
2k 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 ...
25
votes
2answers
2k 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 ...
24
votes
5answers
1k 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 ...
21
votes
1answer
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 ...
19
votes
5answers
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 ...
19
votes
2answers
3k 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 ...
16
votes
4answers
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 ...
16
votes
3answers
10k 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 ...
14
votes
6answers
7k 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, ...
14
votes
1answer
2k 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 ...
13
votes
1answer
841 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 ...
12
votes
2answers
6k 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 !
11
votes
5answers
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 ...
10
votes
8answers
3k 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 ...
10
votes
3answers
1k 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 ...
10
votes
7answers
1k 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 ...
9
votes
2answers
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?
9
votes
1answer
866 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 ?
8
votes
3answers
723 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, ...
7
votes
5answers
2k 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 ...
7
votes
3answers
756 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 ...
7
votes
2answers
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 ...
7
votes
0answers
297 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? ...
7
votes
0answers
532 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 ...
6
votes
0answers
863 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
235 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
702 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
265 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
750 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
287 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
721 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 ...
0
votes
2answers
372 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
908 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 ...
-2
votes
1answer
298 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 ...
-5
votes
1answer
379 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 ...