Fully Funded University of Liverpool UK 2022 EPSRC CDT in Distributed Algorithms Studentship

This PhD project is part of the University of Liverpool's Centre for Doctoral Training in Distributed Algorithms (CDT): The What, How and Where of Next-Generation Data Science.

The CDT works in partnership with STFC Hartree Centre and 20+ external partners from the manufacturing, defence and security sectors. Together they will provide a 4-year innovative PhD training course that will equip over 60 students with the essential skills needed to become future leaders in distributed algorithms, with the technical and professional networks needed to launch a career in next generation data science and future computing and the confidence to make a positive difference in society, the economy and beyond.

This project has been co-defined with, and will be co-supervised by the Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). This studentship is open to UK/EU students.

This EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Distributed Algorithms (DA CDT) is offering a funded project focused on using machine learning to emulate computationally expensive calculations. The emulator can then be used to answer pertinent questions that are impossible to answer otherwise. The aim is to mirror successes that have been achieved using similar approaches in, for example, chemical formula formulation (where a two thirds reduction in computation required has been reported) and drug discovery (where a 95% reduction in the computational requirement needed for a certain objective has been reported).

The specific motivation relates to hydrocodes, high-fidelity (and highly optimised) simulations of fluid dynamics which involve computationally expensive calculations pertaining to the chemistry and physics involved. Individual simulations can take days, even with supercomputers. Were it possible to use historic simulations to learn to emulate the calculations involved, the emulator could then be used to perform offline sensitivity analyses with respect to, for example, the parameters of the chemistry and physics. Such sensitivity analyses are, at best, limited today, making it very challenging to identify opportunities to, for example, reduce the number of inputs to the hydrocode. Given the parameters are not known precisely, it is also desirable for any online use of the hydrocode to consider the uncertainty in those parameters in the calculation of any prediction. However, such Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) would demand multiple runs of the hydrocode. Given that it would be impossible to perform one simulation in an online setting, an emulator is a vital component of any online UQ.

While one could use, for example, a Gaussian Process (GP) to implement the emulator, it is not clear what kernel should be used, i.e. how any emulator should interpolate between the input-output pairs associated with the hydrocode. The statistical inference of the kernel is challenging, particularly in this setting, where there will be a need to interpolate between the information in the historic simulations and the prior knowledge (albeit incomplete and imprecise) of kernels implied by the knowledge of the physics and chemistry. Emerging numerical Bayesian inference algorithms (specifically Sequential Monte Carlo samplers) make it possible to capitalise on high performance computing without compromising the fidelity of that inference process.

• Table of Content
• About University of Liverpool
• University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship
• University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship Courses
• Requirements for University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of Liverpool

University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship

This scholarship offers UK tuition fees and maintenance at the UKRI Doctoral Stipend rate (£15,609 per annum, 2021/22).

University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship Courses

• Math and Computing

Requirements for University of Liverpool PhD Scholarship Qualification

• Open for UK and EU applicants.
• This scholarship is for October 2022 intake.
• Applicants with either a UG or MSc in a numerate subject.
• Applicants with ambition and interest in making a difference.
• This scholarship also considers part-time PhD students.
• The deadline to apply for this scholarship is 18th April 2022.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

To apply for this Studentship please follow the DA CDT Application Instructions. Submit an application for an Electrical Engineering PhD via the University of Liverpool’s online PhD application platform (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/) and provide the project title and supervisor details when prompted. Should you wish to apply for more than one project, please provide a ranked list of those you are interested in.

For a full list of the entry criteria and a recruitment timeline (including interview dates etc), Please see our website https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/distributed-algorithms-cdt/apply/

For informal technical enquires please contact Prof Leszek Gasieniec ([email protected])