Prospective Students
Prospective postdoctoral researchers
We usually have multiple PostDoc positions available. It is recommended to contact Tolga Birdal in advance, so that your application is not missed. For the current opening:
If you are seeking a sponsor for an application to a post-doctoral fellowship or other schemes, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss this further. We are always interested in sponsoring students for schemes such as Marie-Curie actions, EPSRC postdoctoral fellowships, or fellowships by UK charities (e.g., Royal Society).
Prospective PhD students
The CIRCLE group offers a lively and friendly environment to carry out postgraduate studies. PhD applications at Imperial College London are centralized. To be considered, you should directly apply for PhD indicating Computing Research as target degree. After applying at the University, those who pass the initial screening process are forwarded to the potential supervisors. If you wish to join the CIRCLE team, mention ‘Tolga Birdal’ as your supervisor in the formal application. The group has a record of sponsoring successful applicants for the Lee Family Scholarship, China Scholarship Council, Google DeepMind scholarship, and various departmental studentships. There are several possible sources of funding to cover PhD fees and bursary. We routinely collaborate with companies and we are also interested in supporting industry-sponsored PhDs.
Departmental PhD scholarships are available for prospective PhD students, check out the departmental deadlines and the application guidelines. Imperial provides a variety of scholarships and the choice will vary depending on the candidate. Please consider applying for CDTs as well.
FAQ
Q: What project topic should I propose?
The application will require you to include a research proposal on a topic area of your choice (3-5 pages including references). Please consult our works to determine a suitable topic.
Q: Do I need to contact you before applying?
This is not strictly required, but you are welcome to email Tolga Birdal if you wish. If the research proposal requires updates, we will ask you to apply them after we receive your application.
Q: What kind of skills do you look for in PhD applicants?
CIRCLE is a diverse group composed of people of different expertise, some more theoretical, some more applied. However, regardless the focus, they have demonstrated excellence in their area and we expect no less from the candidates. We are mostly interested in maths / CV / AI / ML skills.
Q: Do you accept PhD students without a Computing degree?
Yes, we are truly interdisciplinary. The background of students with degrees in STEM disciplines such as Engineering, Maths / Statistics, Physics, and Neuroscience aligns well to our research.