Scott Contini
Position:
Research Scientist
Employer:
University of Sydney
Job description:
Research on algorithmic number theory and
algebra,
programming for Magma.
Job satisfaction:
I have the greatest job in the world. I
get paid to
sit around learning and programming mathematical
algorithms, and doing research to improve on existing
algorithms.
Employment history:
2 Summer internships at Bellcore (working
on number theoretic algorithms with Arjen Lenstra).
Most recently
worked for RSA Laboratories (on the research staff).
Suggestions for students:
I recommend taking courses in subjects like computer
science, engineering, and physics so that they can
learn how to apply their math knowledge. Being able
to apply your knowledge to solve real problems in the
real world is very important. Don't take the attitude
that you can learn to apply it once you get a job offer -
you may never get that job offer!
If you're good at mathematics, and
if you're
interested in cryptography, and if you're good with
algorithms and programming computers, then you can make
a hell of a lot of money in industry and have a lot of
fun learning new maths while you do it. This is especially
true for those interested in elliptic curves.
E-mail Scott
Visit Scott 's home
page
Date of last update: Oct. 3, 1999
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