Subhash Khot Joins IBM Research as Senior Mathematician

June 3, 2026

It was announced this week that Subhash Khot will join IBM Research as a Senior Mathematician in a dual appointment with the Courant Institute School of Mathematics, Computing, and Data Science, where he will remain Silver Professor of Computer Science.

Professor Khot was selected by IBM Research for his innovations in theoretical computer science and mathematics. He is tasked with accelerating progress on the theoretical foundations of computing, both classical and quantum. “Subhash is one of the great mathematicians working at the intersection of algorithms, complexity, and computation,” said IBM Research Chief Scientist Ruchir Puri. “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.”

The university has been at the forefront of quantum research, announcing the formation of the NYU Quantum Institute (NYUQI) last year. The Institute will bring together faculty and students from diverse fields with the necessary tools and spaces to answer scientific questions and technological challenges. In 2025 alone, NYU welcomed six new hires in the field of quantum information science across multiple departments."Courant has always been about pushing the boundaries of what is computationally possible,” said Gerard Ben Arous, Dean of Courant. "Through the NYU Quantum Institute, our faculty are building the foundational frameworks—from quantum cryptography to advanced algorithms—that connect computing to quantum physics and hardware engineering. Subhash’s appointment highlights Courant's vital role in shaping this computational future."

Professor Khot is best known for his work on the Unique Games Conjecture, one of the central conjectures in theoretical computer science. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Computer Science in 1999 from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and his doctorate from Princeton University in 2003. After holding positions at the Institute for Advanced Study and Georgia Tech, he joined NYU Courant as an Associate Professor in 2007. He was named Professor of Computer Science in 2012 and received the university’s prestigious Silver Professorship in 2016. Professor Khot is a MacArthur Fellow, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.