SCAMP Summer Research Program
La Jolla, CA

Job Description

The IDA Center for Communications Research, La Jolla (CCR-L) invites applications for its summer research program, known as SCAMP. For ten weeks each year, visiting mathematicians, statisticians, and computer scientists work on a few difficult problems side-by-side with full-time research staff and visitors from our sponsor, the National Security Agency. The problems come from cryptography and signals intelligence, and the research scope is quite broad, ranging from deep mathematical investigations and theorem proving to high-performance implementations of mathematical algorithms, practical machine learning, and sophisticated statistical data analyses. Our research environment is distinctive in encouraging close collaboration, multidisciplinary teams, and tight coupling between theory and practice.

SCAMP is held at our facility in beautiful San Diego, California, and begins in mid-June. Participants are paid a stipend and reimbursed for their travel expenses.

Qualifications

Most SCAMP participants have a PhD in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field. Graduate students and truly exceptional undergraduates in such fields will also be considered. For junior applicants, past participation in summer internships with the Department of Defense (such as the NSA's Director's Summer Program or Graduate Mathematics Program) or standout performance on the Putnam Competition or ACM ICPC are desired. We typically do not accept SCAMP applicants whose main occupation is cryptography.

US citizenship is required for all applicants. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph (which we sponsor).

Application Materials Required:

Please submit the following items online to complete your application:

* Cover letter explaining your interest in our SCAMP program.
* Curriculum vitae, including links to work samples.
* References: Provide names and contact information of three people who can speak knowledgeably about your research contributions.

To receive full consideration for SCAMP 2020, applications should be received by September 1, 2019.