Subject areas:
Mathematics.
Funding type:
Tuition fee.
Stipend.
Research Training & Support Grant.
Fully-funded PhD studentship available to start in the 2025/26 academic year.
Award details
A particularly important feature of neurons in neural networks is their activation function: how the input that a neuron receive-- from the outside world or from other neurons - to an output. This mapping can be modelled in a number of ways, but how different forms of activation functions affect learning dynamics and computational properties in neural networks is largely unknown. In this project, you will use methods from disordered systems and statistical physics to address this problem. In particular, you will study how the ability of neural networks may be optimized by adapting neuronal activation functions to different learning rules and input statistics.
Award value
Funding is available for 3.5 years, covering stipend, bench fees, and tuition fees at the Home or Overseas rate.
Eligibility criteria
Award open to UK and international students.
Applicants should have a 2:1 or first-class undergraduate degree, or an MMath, MSci or Master’s degree with Merit and high grades in modules relating to the research area.
Applicants must have a strong knowledge of statistical physics and have familiarity with machine learning and data analysis techniques. Knowledge of disordered systems physics and spin glasses is recommended.
Application process
To be considered for the position, candidates must apply via King’s Apply online application system. Details are available on the Department of Mathematics webpage.
Please apply for Applied Mathematics Research: Disordered Systems/Financial Mathematics/Probability MPhil/PhD, indicate Yasser Roudi as the supervisor and quote the project title in your application and all correspondence.
Please ensure to add the following code “StartUpRoudi” in the Funding section of the application form. Please select option 5: ‘I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London’ and type the code into the ‘Award Scheme Code or Name’ box. Please copy and paste the code exactly.
The selection process will involve a pre-selection on documents and, if selected, will be followed by an invitation to an interview. If successful at the interview, an offer will be provided in due course.
Contact Details
Yasser Roudi, yasser.roudi@kcl.ac.uk.
If you require support with the administrative side of the application process, please contact mathematics-pgr@kcl.ac.uk.