Conformal Field Theories and Artificial Intelligence
Research Group: Centre for Research in String Theory
Number of Students: 1
Length of Study in Years: 3.5 years
Full-time Project: yes
Funding
Funding is provided via the Scientific Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
- Available to Home and exceptional overseas applicants only.
- Applicant required to start in September 2026.
- The studentship arrangement will cover home tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.
Project Description
Conformal Field Theories are mathematical descriptions of natural phenomena that look the same at all length scales. They find fundamental applications over a large spectrum of topics ranging from condensed-matter physics, particle physics, string theory and quantum gravity. They are, however, incredibly hard to solve with the exception of a handful of examples.
This project aims to exploit the tremendous recent progress in Artificial Intelligence to solve arbitrary conformal field theories. This will be achieved by utilising machine-learning techniques similar to those used by Google’s DeepMind Technologies when building the AlphaGo programme, which spectacularly beat professional Go champions.
Application Method:
To apply for this studentship and for entry onto the Physics programme (Full Time), please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/spcs/phdresearch/application-process/#apply
Deadline for application - 28th of January 2026
Supervisor Contact Details:
For informal enquiries about this position, please contact Dr Costis Papageorgakis
Email: c.papageorgakis@qmul.ac.uk
Requirements
A very good grasp of graduate Quantum Field Theory and supersymmetry, as well as some basic conformal field theory and string theory. Coding experience is desireable.
SPCS Academics: Costis Papageorgakis