Working with me for a PhD
Update Nov 2024: I am likely to have 1 funded position (Home fee + stipend, subject to approval, will be confirmed in Jan 2025) for 2025/26 at the AI4Health CDT. The topic is broadly on sequence modelling for healthcare data. Interested candidate should directly apply via the CDT.
Before contacting me, think about whether you should (not) do a PhD in machine learning, read about my research topics, and think about whether we are a good match.
If you want to do a PhD with me then, I expect you to have a solid skill set in both math and coding. This might be demonstrated by a 1st-class UK degree (or equivalent) in math, physics, computer science or related subjects. I also provide a self-assessment here if you want a bit more reassurance. Publication is a plus factor but not necessary, as long as you can demonstrate your potential for research innovations.
When you contact me, attach your CV, plus a short statement (1 page maximum) about the potential ML research problems you want to work on with me and your expectations about PhD research. Also see the PhD application guideline for submitting an application to Imperial Computing.
Working with me as an MRes student
Update Nov 2024: We are changing the admission process for 2025/26 entry, interested applicants should just apply via Imperial application portal when it opens. Project selection will be done **after** admission.
Imperial Computing also has an MRes in AI & ML degree program where I am one of the supervisors there. This is a research master program where the degree will be awarded based on finishing a research thesis. Depending on the research results and interview, MRes students can continue for a PhD in AI & ML, or join AI industry for ML engineering roles.
Normally I expect to get 1 MRes students per year on projects proposed by myself and/or other faculty members in collaboration (i.e., you might get co-supervisors). I treat MRes students in almost the same way as 1st-year PhD students (the only difference is that they need to finish in 1 year), and I expect them to participate in the group activities of my research group.
Please see the degree program website for application info. Once you get admitted, in the first month of the programme you can discuss with me on potentially working with me for your MRes project.
Areas for PhD/MRes research topics
We can be a good match if you want to research on the following topics:
- Bayesian computation, e.g. approximate inference, sampling;
- Uncertainty quantification & decision theory;
- Training generative models for vision & NLP;
- Sequential generative models & stochastic dynamical models;
- Analysing behaviours of (stochastic) neural networks;
- Hierarchical/compositional representations, disentangled representations, generating counterfactuals, etc;
- Robust ML, e.g. security & privacy issues, model diagnosis/repair;
- Adaptive learning, transfer learning & continual learning;
- Personalised few-shot learning with e.g. knowledge representations;
- Others, e.g. energy-based models, gradient estimation, Stein's method, etc.
Short-term projects/internships/participation
If you are an Imperial undergrad/master/PhD student, contact me for potential projects.
We will also host "crash courses" on advanced ML topics presented by our team members at the CSML reading group organised by people in Computing & Statistics departments, so reach out if you would like to participate.
For other people, usually I do not offer paid short-term projects or internships. Still you are welcome to contact me for lightweight discussions and mentorships on related research topics.
Collaborations
See here for a list of topics that we can potentially collaborate.