Application Guide

How to Apply for Research Fellowship

at Theorem

🏢 About Theorem

Theorem is an AI company at the forefront of formal program verification, aiming to enhance software reliability across the industry. Their unique focus on using AI for complex software engineering tasks offers an intellectually stimulating environment where cutting-edge research meets real-world impact. Working here means collaborating with top-tier engineers and researchers in a remote-first setup, tackling problems that could redefine software development.

About This Role

This research fellowship is a 3-6 month immersive program where you'll explore how AI can scale correctness feedback for AI-driven software development. You'll delve into cryptography, infrastructure, or security systems, hunting for novel vulnerabilities and contributing to research that pushes beyond current AI capabilities. It's a high-impact role for those who thrive on unsolved problems and want to shape the future of reliable software.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with researchers and engineers over video calls to brainstorm approaches for scaling correctness feedback. You could spend hours writing code to prototype a vulnerability detection tool or analyzing AI-generated code for security flaws. Regular check-ins and discussions about research findings would punctuate your deep work, with the flexibility to set your schedule in a remote environment.

🎯 Who Theorem Is Looking For

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📝 Tips for Applying to Theorem

1

Highlight any projects or papers related to formal verification, AI-driven code generation, or security research, even if they are not your primary focus.

2

Provide a portfolio or GitHub link showcasing your coding skills, especially in systems programming or security-related work.

3

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your experience to the company's mission of using AI for formal program verification and scaling correctness feedback.

4

Since it's a research fellowship, mention any experience with research methodologies, experimental design, or working in academic or industrial research settings.

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize problem-solving and impact, using metrics to show the scale of systems you've worked on or vulnerabilities you've found.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

- Your technical expertise in software engineering and any research background, especially in areas like formal methods, AI, or security. - Your passion for the company's mission to improve software reliability through formal verification and AI. - Specific examples of how you've tackled complex, unsolved problems and collaborated across teams. - Your interest in the fellowship's duration and your eagerness to contribute to cutting-edge research with practical implications.

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Theorem's published papers or blog posts on formal verification and AI to understand their current research directions.
  • → Explore their open-source projects or contributions to understand their engineering practices and technology stack.
  • → Research the backgrounds of key team members to see their expertise and how your skills might complement theirs.
  • → Look into recent advancements in AI-driven software engineering, such as code generation models or automated repair, to align your knowledge.
Visit Theorem's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Technical questions on formal verification concepts, such as model checking or theorem proving, and how they might apply to AI-generated code.
2 Discussion of your previous research or projects, focusing on your contributions and the challenges you overcame.
3 Problem-solving sessions involving security vulnerabilities or cryptography, where you'll need to think creatively about finding zero-days.
4 Questions on scaling AI feedback loops, possibly asking you to design a system for correctness verification in AI-driven development.
5 Behavioral questions about working in remote, collaborative research environments and handling open-ended tasks.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't submit a generic application; tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience in programming languages, AI, or security. - Avoid focusing solely on AI experience without demonstrating strong software engineering fundamentals, as the role requires both. - Don't overlook the importance of research experience; even if you're not from academia, emphasize any research-oriented projects or self-driven investigations.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Theorem!