About the role#
The Secure and Resilient Systems group is looking for a Formal Methods Research Intern for the summer of 2027. You will support the specification and verification of systems-level software while working alongside computer scientists and cybersecurity professionals. This role focuses on establishing cyber and systems security properties and provides hands-on experience with formal methods.
What you'll do#
- Develop technical fluency in formal methods for cyber and system security.
- Build specifications and proofs using assistants like Rocq and Lean.
- Create tools and capabilities using programming languages such as Rust and OCaml.
- Document and communicate design decisions, technical challenges, and progress to technical management.
- Collaborate with team members to identify machine-checkable properties, develop and apply verification tools, and review papers or proposals.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program in Computer Science, Computer Security, Formal Methods, Automated Reasoning, or a related field.
- Experience with functional and imperative programming.
- Exposure to programming language concepts like type systems, operational semantics, interpreters, and compilers.
- Familiarity with Linux or Unix-like systems.
- Ability to work collaboratively on speculative research projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to obtain a security clearance if required.
- Experience with Rocq, Lean, or similar proof assistants.
- Exposure to the Rust programming language.
- Knowledge of proof techniques such as progress and preservation, logical relations, separation logic, refinement, translation validation, or symbolic execution.
- Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles like non-interference and property preservation.
- Experience with version control or other software collaboration tools.
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, paid internship for Summer 2027.
- The position is based on-site in either Lexington, Massachusetts or Beavercreek, Ohio.
- Compensation ranges from $25.00 to $35.00 per hour, depending on experience and location.
About Riverside Research
Riverside Research is a nonprofit organization established in 1967. It focuses on scientific research for the US government and the public interest. The company employs approximately 802 people across several locations including Fairfax, Virginia. Its technical work spans fields like machine learning, optics, electromagnetics, and systems engineering.
How to get in at Riverside Research
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