Irix Scientist

Irix is hiring a theorist to help develop an AI platform that is capable of discovering new theorems and theories in mathematics and physics.

Background

Mathematical insight is arguably humanity’s greatest creative achievement—and one of its most resistant to automation. Unlike text prediction or image recognition, mathematics has seen only modest technological improvements. Today’s mathematical insights still rely on the same tools used by Newton, paper and pencil—guided by hard-earned skill and intuition.

Irix aims to change that. Created by researchers at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, the company is building an automated platform for general mathematical insight. It combines exact mathematical data, machine learning, complex optimisation and metamathematics to help users discover structure, raise conjectures and connect disparate problems across science and industry.

Job

The position starts as soon as we find a suitable candidate—there is no application deadline. The salary will be considerably higher than what would be paid in academia at a similar career stage. Irix employees live in London and work full-time in our rooms in the Royal Institution—we do not work from home.

Candidate

Candidates will have completed a PhD in theoretical physics or mathematics. They will have strong analytic skills, meaning they are adept at solving equations, and they will be proficient at coding. They will be passionate about creating new theorems and theories in mathematics and physics. We especially welcome academic researchers who are looking for a new career, but do not want to leave research altogether by working at a typical tech firm.

We do not assess candidates on intellectual merit alone. We also consider culture fit—the extent to which candidates align with our values. In particular, we are on the lookout for people who are sociable, relentless, team players, detail-oriented, curious about others, capable of leadership, committed to showing up for work, and willing to act as Irix ambassadors.

Activities

The successful candidate will:

• Help build a self-learning relational database of mathematical patterns, encapsulated for example as integer sequences or functions.
• Help build an automated engine for discovering relations between attributes of mathematical objects, such as graphs, groups or special functions.
• Take an interest in the research and goals of other members of Irix and the London Institute, who all work together at the same site.
• Socialise with our scientists, staff and visitors at our weekly drinks and regular events.

Irix

Irix is a spinoff company of the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Britain’s only independent research organisation in physics and mathematics. Irix is located on the third floor of the Royal Institution in Mayfair, right above the London Institute, which occupies the second floor. Because Irix is partly owned by LIMS Ventures, the London Institute’s trading arm, members of the Institute can spend time advancing Irix. One such advancement was the subject of a feature in Quanta Magazine.

Applying

To apply, send a CV via the 'Apply' button above (E: smc@lims.ac.uk) with the subject heading “Irix scientist”. Strong applicants will be invited to visit us.