Hello codeforces community, I am writing this from an alt, (I know this is illegal but this account was made long before I knew It is a big deal). I am only a 1700ish expert on my main anyway.

I am here to inquire about the idea of interning in a university under a professor to learn how to research about topics. Is this idea too grand for a mere expert like me?

Whenever I see a new blog about some improved algorithm for some technique, it sparks a joy inside me and forces me to learn the technique as long as it is not too far off my scope.

I have always thought about this, but now I am actually considering to go forward in this field and try to research algorithms myself, but I am afraid I might be too severely underqualified for this endeavour. I look around me and see CS Majors (I am a Physics Major) being at least red and have a research resume far better than mine. Yet a part of me doesn't want to let go of the tiniest of the possibility that I might do well in research. I will try it in my own university, but in my final year when I have completed atleast the courses required for a CS minor, for this summer, I am looking for a different university, who is more lenient on inexperienced students.

Do you (the users of codeforces) know any professor/program in your university which takes in research interns on any purely algorithm related project work? I am not looking for any stipend except food and stay, as long as I am allowed to learn how to research it is a good opportunity for me.