ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
IBM Research taps mathematician Subhash Khot for senior role
Khot is widely recognized for his work on the Unique Games Conjecture, a major problem in theoretical computer science
-
Pranavi Sharma - Fri, 05, Jun 2026
- 02:00 EDT
- 38
Subhash Khot / McArthur Foundation
Indian American mathematician Subhash Khot has joined IBM Research as a senior mathematician, the company announced, as it seeks to strengthen its work on the theoretical foundations of computing amid advances in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and emerging hardware technologies.
IBM Research, the research and development division of IBM, is headquartered at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York. The organization said Khot’s appointment is part of its effort to accelerate progress in the mathematical and algorithmic foundations that underpin future computing systems.
Khot is widely recognized for his work on the Unique Games Conjecture, a major problem in theoretical computer science. The conjecture has significantly influenced research in computational complexity and approximation algorithms by helping researchers better understand which optimization problems can be approximated efficiently and which may remain difficult to solve even approximately.
ALSO READ: NAS honors Subhash Khot with 2026 Held Prize
Before joining IBM Research, Khot served as the Julius Silver Professor of Computer Science at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University.
It was announced this week that Subhash Khot will join @IBMResearch as a Senior Mathematician in a dual appointment with the Courant Institute School, where he will remain Silver Professor of Computer Science.
— NYU Courant (@NYU_Courant) June 4, 2026
: John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation pic.twitter.com/u02ZJawY60
His research contributions have earned several prominent honors. In 2010, he received the Alan T. Waterman Award, the highest U.S. honor for scientists under 40, for his work on the Unique Games Conjecture. He was awarded the IMU Abacus Medal by the International Mathematical Union in 2014 and received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2016. Khot is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society.
IBM said foundational mathematical research remains central to its long-term strategy as computing evolves. The company pointed to its historical role in advancing algorithmic research, including the development of the fast Fourier transform at IBM Research. The technology later became a key component of digital media standards, wireless communications, speech and signal processing, and medical imaging systems.
'IBM Research Chief Scientist' Ruchir Puri said Khot’s expertise would help strengthen the company’s research capabilities.
“Subhash is one of the great mathematicians working at the intersection of algorithms, complexity, and computation,” Puri said.
“The future of computing will be built on deep algorithmic and mathematical ideas, and bringing Subhash to IBM Research is a major step in strengthening that foundation.”
According to IBM, one factor that attracted Khot to the organization was its leadership in quantum computing. Following a visit to IBM’s research headquarters in Yorktown Heights, he was impressed by the expertise of the company’s quantum computing teams and its focus on the long-term scientific challenges facing the field.
IBM said advances in quantum computing will require not only improvements in hardware but also new theories, algorithms and mathematical frameworks capable of supporting future systems.
'IBM Fellow and Director of IBM Research' Jay Gambetta said Khot’s appointment reflects the company’s commitment to foundational scientific research.
“Subhash’s arrival reflects the seriousness of our commitment to foundational research,” Gambetta said.
“We are investing in the theory of computing as a pillar of IBM Research’s future, and this is just the beginning.”
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login