At a Glance
- Tasks: Translate mathematical proofs into Lean and collaborate on formal verification projects.
- Company: Join Alignerr, a leader in AI research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible remote work, and freelance perks.
- Why this job: Work at the cutting edge of AI and formal verification with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Master’s degree in Mathematics or related field; experience with proof systems required.
- Other info: Ideal for problem-solvers eager to express complex arguments in machine-readable forms.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Remote
At Alignerr, we partner with the world’s leading AI research teams and labs to build and train cutting-edge AI models.
What You’ll Do
- Translate informal mathematical proofs into Lean (and related proof systems) with an emphasis on clarity, structure, and correctness.
- Analyze generic and domain-specific proofs, identifying gaps, hidden assumptions, and formalizable sub-structures.
- Construct formalizations that test the limits of existing proof assistants, especially where tools struggle or fail.
- Collaborate with researchers to design, refine, and evaluate strategies for improving formal verification pipelines.
- Develop highly readable, reproducible proof scripts aligned with mathematical best practices and proof assistant idioms.
- Provide guidance on proof decomposition, lemma selection, and structuring techniques for formal models.
Sample Work You Might Do:
- Formalize classical proofs and compare machine-verifiable structures against textbook arguments.
- Investigate where automated provers break down, and articulate why (complexity, missing lemmas, insufficient libraries, etc.).
- Create Lean proofs that reveal deeper patterns or generalizations implicit in the original mathematics.
Requirements
- Master’s degree (or higher) in Mathematics, Logic, Theoretical Computer Science, or a closely related field.
- Strong foundation in rigorous proof writing and mathematical reasoning across areas such as algebra, analysis, topology, logic, or discrete math.
- Hands-on experience with Lean (Lean 3 or Lean 4), Coq, Isabelle/HOL, Agda, or comparable systems, with Lean strongly preferred.
- Deep enthusiasm for formal verification, proof assistants, and the future of mechanized mathematics.
- Ability to translate informal arguments into clean, structured formal proofs.
Preferred
- Prior experience with data annotation, data quality, or evaluation systems.
- Familiarity with type theory, Curry-Howard correspondence, and proof automation tools.
- Experience with large-scale formalization projects (e.g., mathlib).
- Exposure to theorem provers where automated reasoning frequently fails or requires manual scaffolding.
- Strong communication skills for explaining formalization decisions, edge cases, and reasoning strategies.
Ideal Candidate: A mathematically mature problem-solver who enjoys working at the frontier of formal verification; someone who finds satisfaction in taking a dense, elegant human argument and expressing it in a form that a machine can understand.
Why Join Us
- Competitive pay and flexible remote work.
- Collaborate with a team working on cutting-edge AI projects.
- Exposure to advanced LLMs and how they’re trained.
- Freelance perks: autonomy, flexibility, and global collaboration.
- Potential for contract extension.
Application Process
- Submit your resume
- Complete a short screening
- Project matching and onboarding
PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.
Researcher - Lean 4 & Formal Proof Systems in Oxford employer: Alignerr
Contact Detail:
Alignerr Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Researcher - Lean 4 & Formal Proof Systems in Oxford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the AI and formal verification space. Join relevant forums, attend webinars, and don’t be shy about sliding into DMs. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your work with Lean or other proof systems. Include examples of your formal proofs and any projects you've tackled. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common questions related to formal verification and proof systems. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely. Remember, they want to see how you think, not just what you know!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we review applications daily, so you won’t be left hanging for long. Get your materials in and let’s get the ball rolling!
We think you need these skills to ace Researcher - Lean 4 & Formal Proof Systems in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Resume: Make sure your resume highlights your experience with Lean and formal proof systems. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects or coursework!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about formal verification and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it clear and engaging!
Showcase Your Proof Writing Skills: Since this role involves rigorous proof writing, consider including examples of your work. Whether it’s a project or a paper, we’d love to see how you translate complex arguments into structured proofs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It streamlines the process for us and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alignerr
✨Know Your Proofs Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the proofs you’ll be discussing. Be ready to explain your thought process behind translating informal arguments into Lean, and don’t shy away from discussing any challenges you faced during formalization.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since collaboration is key in this role, prepare examples of how you've worked with others on formal verification projects. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve helped refine strategies or overcome obstacles together.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Lean
Brush up on your Lean skills before the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific features of Lean 4 that you find particularly useful, and maybe even share a few tips on proof decomposition or lemma selection that could impress your interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Formal Verification
Let your enthusiasm for formal verification shine through! Talk about any personal projects or experiences that fuelled your interest in proof assistants and mechanised mathematics. This will show that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely excited about the work.