Can you tell us a little about you and your research?
I’m originally from Brazil, but I’ve been living in Europe for quite a while. I did my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in France, my PhD in Germany, then a postdoc in the Netherlands before coming to Cambridge.
My research focuses on the mathematical foundations of computer science. Broadly speaking, I’m interested in understanding the capabilities and limitations of efficient computation. That means asking which problems can be solved efficiently, which ones are inherently hard, and what mathematical structures determine this divide.
What expectations did you have of Cambridge (or the UK) before arriving?
Honestly, I expected more rain! I’d always heard that it rains constantly in the UK, so the weather has actually been better than I anticipated.
From Cambridge itself, I mostly expected a kind of dark academia aesthetic: gothic medieval buildings, courtyards, and a bit of a Harry Potter feeling in the air.
Have your thoughts about Cambridge changed from when you first arrived, to now?
They have changed a bit over time. The old central Colleges really have that gothic, medieval atmosphere, but they’re only a small part of the city.
Something I’ve really enjoyed, and didn’t know to expect, is the number of concerts, recitals and plays that take place during term time, often performed by talented students. There’s a vibrant cultural scene in Cambridge during term.
Have you found any challenges when adapting to Cambridge?
Yes, I found it a bit difficult to meet new people and socialise. Most of the social life in the University happens inside the Colleges, and I’m not strongly affiliated with one, so that makes things harder.
I also find it weird how different the city feels in term-time versus out of term. During term, there are many cultural and sports activities happening; out of term, the rhythm changes completely and the city feels like it’s left to the tourists.
How does the research culture / support / community at Cambridge differ compared to Germany and the Netherlands?
I feel there’s a stronger culture of overworking here than what I experienced in Germany or the Netherlands.
Another difference is that most people in my group don’t usually go to the office but instead work from their Colleges or from home. In Germany and the Netherlands, people were in the office most days, and we had lunch and coffee breaks together by default.
In the Netherlands in particular, the group was very social, we played foosball every day and went out together regularly. There was a strong sense of community, which is what I miss the most here.
Have you engaged with the Postdoc Academy (aside from the Community Networking event) since you’ve been here?
Yes, in fact I attended a Postdoc Academy workshop on ‘Presenting with Confidence’ this morning! I’ve also taken part in other training sessions such as ‘Pensions Explained for Postdocs’ and ‘Breaking Procrastination Habits’, and I sometimes use the Eddington Postdoc Centre for hot-desking.
Do you have any suggestions for anyone considering coming to Cambridge for a postdoc?
I would definitely recommend trying to obtain a College affiliation. Some Colleges offer different forms of affiliation for postdocs, and since much of the University’s social life takes place within Colleges, it can make a big difference.
Cambridge also has a huge number of sports clubs, and many of them are open to postdocs as well as students. That’s another great way to meet people and feel more integrated, and I definitely recommend checking it out.
How do you talk about your research to non-specialists?
That’s an art I’m still trying to master.
I usually start by saying that I work in mathematics and computer science. If that doesn’t immediately scare the person away, I explain that I try to understand the mathematical structures that determine what computers can and cannot do efficiently.
Depending on how brave the other person seems, I might also talk about quantum computing, which is a major focus of my recent work.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I think the postdoc phase is an interesting but strange stage of the academic career. You’re expected to develop independence while still working under a senior professor, and a significant part of the job involves preparing and applying for the next one.
There’s often more freedom to focus on research, since you don’t have the full teaching and administrative load of a faculty position, but at the same time there’s a constant sense of transience.
It’s both intellectually stimulating and personally demanding. In a way, it’s a period that invites reflection: not only about what kind of researcher you want to become, but also about whether academia is truly the right place for you.