The mentor for this position conducts research on a variety of topics in complexity theory, which studies the power of computation. Guiding questions include, does giving computers access to randomness or quantum computers allow them to solve problems more efficiently? Such questions are answered via mathematical proof.
This project will investigate various questions in query complexity, an area of complexity theory that analyzes the number of queries to the input required to solve a problem. As an example, consider the problem of searching for an item in a list - an efficient program could potentially find the item quickly, and thus it is no longer necessary to look at the rest of the input. Recently, a new measure called the “spectral sensitivity” of a problem (informally a matrix quantity related to the problem being solved) has been used to answer many open questions in query complexity. This project will investigate new questions in which spectral sensitivity can play a role.
The intern’s activities will be a combination of reading relevant background material and related literature, selecting and solving a research problem, and meeting with the mentor to clarify questions and work out ideas. The mentor aims to have the intern select their research question early in the summer, because the process of solving a problem involves a lot of detours to investigate basic concepts, making slow progress over time. The research itself will be theoretical and based on mathematical proofs. By the end of the program, the intern will have worked through some approaches to solving this problem.
The intern will be expected to work full-time throughout the week, totaling 300 hours by the end of the summer, but their work schedule will be flexible outside of daily meetings with the mentor. Meetings with the mentor will be in-person, and the rest of the time will be a mix of in person and virtual, with the exact distribution to be decided upon by the mentor and intern.
To learn more about the mentor, visit their PSU faculty website: https://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~shravas/
PSU Disability Services
It is University policy to grant reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities that may affect their ability to participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to discuss their needs as soon as they receive acceptance of this ASE position. After acceptance, please also provide a letter of accommodations from PSU Disability Services (http://www.pdx.edu/drc/).
PSU Diversity Statement
Respect for cultural and human biological diversity are core concepts at PSU. Each voice has something of value to contribute to a discussion. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department supports PSU’s commitment to diversity, and welcomes individuals of all ages, backgrounds, citizenship, disability, education, ethnicity, family status, gender, gender identity, geographical location, language, military experience, political views, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and work experience (See https://www.pdx.edu/sphr/diversity-statement).
We strongly encourage students to apply who are from one or more systemically and historically excluded group, including but not limited to, non-cis-gendered students, girls, BIPOC, first-generation college-bound students, low-income/low-resourced students, students with disabilities, students who are neurodivergent, and those who speak a primary language other than English.
If you have any questions about the application, website technical issues and/or this position description, please contact Saturday Academy at ase@saturdayacademy.org. Do not contact the mentor directly. Contacting the mentor directly is grounds for disqualification of your ASE application.