Research starts with PhD students

Chapter 101: A million-dollar bonus and a graduation thesis. This is a bit too fast!
The next three days of the Mathematical Society meeting were dull.

The scholars attending the conference were not surprised by Zhang Shuo as they had already digested the news of the report on the Jebov conjecture.

According to the normal process, the next step is to wait for confirmation from the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study or the Newton Institute, and then find an academic journal to submit it for publication.

This is what Zhang Shuo thought.

This is what Sun Xingli thought.

Other scholars think so too.

They somewhat underestimated the impact of the research in the country.

In the field of mathematics, there are too few top achievements by domestic scholars, and too few world-class mathematics awards won by domestic scholars.

For example, the Fields Medal.

So far, all the scholars who have won the Fields Award are Chinese scholars, including Chengwen Qiu and Terence Tao. No domestic scholar has ever won this award.

Other international mathematics awards are similar.

Previously, the media also reported the news that Zhang Shuo gave a report on the Jebov conjecture at a conference, but it was only confirmed by the Mathematical Society and did not represent international confirmation. The influence of the Mathematical Society conference on the international stage is limited.

While Zhang Shuo and his team were on the plane, the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton confirmed the proof of Zhang Shuo and Sun Xingli.

They released a message saying, "The Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton has accepted the proof of the Gerbov conjecture by Zhang Shuo and Sun Xingli. From today on, the Gerbov conjecture has become history and it will be named the 'Gerbov-Zhang-Sun Theorem'."

There is also an evaluation of the proof process, "The method of determining prime numbers is very clever, and the subsequent argument is exquisite and complete."

"We have confirmed that the Jebov conjecture has been proven."

"The research is very valuable. The prime number determination method can be applied to other research fields, and the proof of the Gerbov conjecture is of great significance for the study of universal prime number distribution."

There are two types of research on prime numbers, one that involves the broader distribution of prime numbers, and the other that involves special prime numbers.

There are many kinds of special prime numbers, such as Mersenne primes, Riemann primes, or twin primes.

These prime numbers either have certain characteristics or are included in specific functions or equations.

The Jebov conjecture belongs to the study of the distribution of regular prime numbers. The range of 'N to (N+1)' includes almost all prime numbers.

From this perspective, we can understand the significance and value of proving the Jebov conjecture.

The confirmation of the research by the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study can be said to be a shot in the arm for major media reports, representing the recognition of the research results by the international mathematics community.

Then the results can be determined.

For China, research has two important meanings. One is that the research itself is of high value.

Another very crucial point is that the research was completed by two domestic scholars.

Zhang Shuo’s resume is very simple. He obtained a master’s degree from Soochow University and then entered Soochow University for a doctorate.

Sun Xingli is a returned overseas PhD, but he only has experience studying abroad for a PhD.

Many major media outlets have reported on this.

The title of "Today's News" is very direct - "Zhebov-Zhang-Sun Theorem". The report stated that the research completed by Zhang Shuo and Sun Xingli was confirmed, and then praised Zhang Shuo highly.

“He just turned 25 and is only a year into his PhD, but he’s already done a lot of great research.”

"The Jebov conjecture is just one of them. In the field of high-energy physics and computational mathematics, Zhang Shuo is even more famous. He has published three papers in the four major mathematics journals, one paper in the second zone of mathematics, and one paper in a top physics journal. He has given amazing reports at the CHEP and ICHEP conferences."

In the past year, Zhang Shuo's resume has been quite legendary.

Sun Xingli seemed rather ordinary.

He is a returned overseas PhD, and he is only 30 years old. But before this achievement, he could be said to be "unknown", and he pales in comparison to Zhang Shuo.

However, the report also mentioned that the prime number testing method studied by Sun Xingli is the core method to complete the proof.

The report published by Renren raised the tone a bit, with the title "Young scholars are the backbone of science."

"In the past thirty years, no domestic scholar has completed research results with significant global influence in the field of analytic number theory."

"Professor Zhang Shuo and Professor Sun Xingli are both young scholars. Zhang Shuo is only 25 years old, and Professor Sun Xingli is only 30 years old."

"Looking at the history of human scientific research, most of the top research results come from young people. Einstein completed the study of special relativity at the age of 26, Hua Luogeng completed the mathematical masterpiece "Theory of Heaped Prime Numbers" at the age of 34, Qiu Chengwen completed the proof of Kabila's conjecture at the age of , and Yang Zhenning published the paper "Parity Non-Conservation" at the age of ..."

“We should increase support for young scholars and provide young students with more support and a more stable scientific research environment…”

……

Amidst numerous media reports and public opinion, Zhang Shuo and his group also returned to school.

After walking into the school from the main gate, you will see a long banner hanging on the tree, which reads - Congratulations to our professor Zhang Shuo and professor Sun Xingli for jointly completing the proof of the Jebov conjecture!

“It’s really efficient…”

Wang Hui sighed as he looked at the banner, "It wasn't there when I left. It must have just been put up."

Sun Xingli's eyes never left the banner.

The group had already passed by, but he kept looking back.

He felt like he was about to cry.

In academic conferences, he had always been the ignored one, but when he returned to Soochow University, his name immediately appeared on the banner.

This banner also represents the school's importance.

The group went to the administration building.

Zhang Shuo thought he was going to a meeting, for example, to talk about academic reports and achievements, but when he arrived at the meeting room, he met a high-level figure.

President of Soochow University, Peng Donghai.

At Soochow University, Peng Donghai is a mysterious and elusive figure.

He is an academician of the Academy of Sciences, the chief scientist of major national scientific research projects, a senior administrative official, and often attends various decision-making meetings.

Peng Donghai shook hands with Zhang Shuo and Sun Xingli respectively, and praised their research, saying, "This is amazing!"

"There are not many outstanding achievements in the field of number theory in China. The Gerbov conjecture is of great significance to the study of prime number distribution. Your research is outstanding!"

He said a few words of praise, then got to the point. "After discussion, the school decided to reward this research with 50 yuan, and the city government also gave 50 yuan, so the total is million yuan."

Peng Donghai explained the key points in a few words, encouraged the two people and left. Zhang Shuo and Sun Xingli both had a good impression of him.

He got to the point right away and gave direct monetary rewards. If the 100 million is divided equally, each person can get 50, plus subsequent paper subsidies...

Sun Xingli's eyes were shining with gold.

Zhang Shuo also felt in a good mood.

In the next few days, they lived in an environment of various congratulations, and even Sun Xingli felt a little irritated.

Zhang Shuo went to the High Court's office to get some quiet time.

Sun Xingli also came to join in the fun. He happily made himself a cup of coffee, sat on the sofa in the office with his legs crossed and browsed his mobile phone, under the pretext of adapting to the work environment in advance.

The Institute for Advanced Study has decided to hire Sun Xingli as a researcher, and he will join the company together with Luo Yongjun.

The two are different.

The Institute for Advanced Study was originally a research institution of the School of Mathematics.

Luo Yongjun is a doctoral supervisor professor at the school and also a researcher at the research institute, but his main job is still as a professor at the school. He works as a researcher at the research institute, earning an additional basic salary of 5,000 yuan per month, but he loses many repetitive benefits and subsidies.

Sun Xingli gave up his teaching job at the school and decided to devote himself to the work of a researcher. "It's better to be a researcher. I don't have to teach undergraduate students."

"At most, I'll just start a graduate course and work a few hours a week."

Sun Xingli said expectantly, and gave Zhang Shuo a suggestion, "When you graduate, don't sign a contract with the school. Teaching work is too annoying."

Researchers at the Supreme Court have very little teaching work. Generally, they only need to teach a graduate course or supervise two doctoral students and share some of the teaching work.

If it is a teaching position in a school, there will be fixed requirements for teaching hours and supervising students.

"It makes sense."

Zhang Shuo thought about it and it made sense. “If we only talk about salary, the difference is really not that big. Publishing one more top journal paper is enough.”

Sun Xingli was speechless after hearing this.

It’s not that easy to publish a paper in a top journal, but think about the number of top journals Zhang Shuo has published in the past six months... forget it, I don’t want to think about it anymore.

It’s such a huge blow!

As they were talking, the door opened.

"Enter!"

Zhang Shuo shouted, and when he looked up he saw Luo Yongjun and Gao Xiaohong walking in together.

Gao Xiaohong complained as soon as she entered the room, "It was so hard to find you guys. I had to go find Teacher Luo before I knew you were here."

She looked around the room and said enviously, "This office is really nice."

"really!"

She sighed, "You and I are no longer on the same level."

Zhang Shuo and Luo Yongjun immediately looked at Sun Xingli together.

Sun Xingli felt puzzled. He pointed at himself and wondered, why me?
Luo Yongjun explained, "You are the only one who was promoted from a deputy position to a full-time position. We were full-time positions to begin with, and there is an age difference between you and Xiaohong, right, Xiaohong?"

Gao Xiaohong smiled with her lips pursed.

She was referring to Zhang Shuo, Luo Yongjun and Sun Xingli.

A lot has changed in half a year.

Zhang Shuo jumped directly from a doctoral student to a researcher, and Luo Yongjun and Sun Xingli were also about to be hired as researchers. When she thought about it carefully, it seemed that she was the only one who remained unchanged.

There is no comparison, there is no comparison!

Gao Xiaohong sighed inwardly, and returned to the point and said to Zhang Shuo, "The computing center is looking for you. They want to discuss the project acceptance with you."

"Computing Center?"

Zhang Shuo suddenly realized and explained, "My phone has been full of messages these days. I was busy today, so I set it to Do Not Disturb mode."

"What are you busy with?" Gao Xiaohong asked puzzledly.

"The graduation thesis," Zhang Shuo said, "is almost done. I just need to summarize the content and write something else."

Luo Yongjun immediately asked, "Can we submit it now? Does Dean Tan know?"

"I didn't know it just now, but now I know it."

Tan Youming walked in from the door with a smile. He asked Zhang Shuo, "Is it the Jebov conjecture?"

Zhang Shuo nodded and explained, "It's just the part I completed myself."

Tan Youming smiled and said, "It's good that it's done. Can you submit it now? Generally, it takes 45 days to submit a paper, but yours..."

"Next Monday!"

"The defense will be held next Monday in the large office on the first floor."

"Fine!"

Seeing that Zhang Shuo agreed, Tan Youming walked out and returned to his office.

Zhang Shuo quickly waved his hand, signaling Sun Xingli to close the door quickly.

After the door was closed, he said depressedly, "My office is good in every way, except for its location, which is right across from Dean Tan's office."

Luo Yongjun, Sun Xingli and Gao Xiaohong nodded in understanding; no one wanted their office to be next to their leader.

Zhang Shuo was stunned for a moment after he finished speaking, and asked for confirmation, "By the way, what day is today?"

"Sunday."

"Next Monday, isn't that tomorrow?"

"Yup!"

"This is a bit too fast..."

(End of this chapter)