Formal Methods Research Intern

Riverside Research; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research in Lexington, MA (or Beavercreek, OH) seeks a Formal Methods Research Intern to support specification and verification of systems-level software. You will work with a team of computer scientists and cybersecurity professionals on cutting-edge formal methods projects this summer, building skills in secure systems development and proof tooling.

The role emphasizes learning ROCq/Lean proofs, Rust/OCaml tooling, and communicating design decisions to management, with a path toward

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Computer Science, Computer Security, Formal Methods, Automated Reasoning, or related major.
• Ability to work collaboratively on speculative research projects.
• Experience with functional and imperative programming.
• Exposure to programming language concepts, definitions, and implementations (type systems, operational semantics, interpreters, compilers, etc.).
• Exposure to Linux or Unix-like systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to obtain a clearance in the future if needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical fluency in formal methods for cyber and system security.
• Build specifications/proofs in proof assistants like Rocq and Lean.
• Build tools/capabilities in programming languages like Rust and OCaml.
• Document and communicate design decisions, technical challenges, and progress to technical management.
• Collaborate with team members on all aspects of formal methods research, identifying machine-checkable properties of interest, developing and applying tools to check such properties, verifying such tools, reviewing papers/proposals, etc.

Skills

Collaborative research

Functional programming

Imperative programming

Programming language concepts

Linux/Unix experience

Written and verbal communication

Education

Undergraduate or graduate CS/related

Tools

Rocq

Lean

Rust

Job description

Formal Methods Research Intern

Location: US-MA-Lexington

ID: 2026-4382

Category: Research & Development

Position Type: Full Time Hourly

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country's most challenging technical problems.

All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

The Secure and Resilient Systems group seeks a Formal Methods Research Intern to support the specification and verification of systems-level software. This role offers the opportunity to work alongside a team of experienced computer scientists and cybersecurity professionals on cutting-edge research initiatives.

This position will focus on establishing meaningful cyber and systems security properties. Throughout the internship, you will gain hands‑on experience with and develop a deep understanding of formal methods, building valuable skills in secure systems development.

This position can be located in either Lexington, MA or Beavercreek, OH and is for the summer of 2027.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical fluency in formal methods for cyber and system security
• Build specifications/proofs in proof assistants like Rocq and Lean
• Build tools/capabilities in programming languages like Rust and OCaml
• Document and communicate design decisions, technical challenges, and progress to technical management
• Collaborate with team members on all aspects of formal methods research, identifying machine-checkable properties of interest, developing and applying tools to check such properties, verifying such tools, reviewing papers/proposals, etc.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Computer Science, Computer Security, Formal Methods, Automated Reasoning, or related major
• Ability to work collaboratively on speculative research projects
• Experience with functional and imperative programming
• Exposure to programming language concepts, definitions, and implementations (type systems, operational semantics, interpreters, compilers, etc.)
• Exposure to Linux or Unix-like systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to obtain a clearance in the future if needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Rocq, Lean, or similar proof assistant
• Exposure to the Rust programming language
• Exposure to proof techniques (progress and preservation, logical relations, separation logic, refinement, translation validation, symbolic execution, etc.)
• Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles (non-interference, robust property preservation, etc.)
• Experience with version control or other software collaboration tools
• Superior written and verbal communication skills

Global Comp

$25.00/hr- $35.00 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.

Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job‑related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not‑for‑profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran's status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.