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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  1. School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
  2. PhD/Research
  3. China Scholarship Council Project
  4. Machine learning developments for particle physics discoveries

Machine learning developments for particle physics discoveries

Research Group: Particle Physics Research Centre
Number of Students: 1-
Length of Study in Years: 4 Years
Full-time Project: yes

Funding

Funding is provided via the China Scholarship Council.  

  • Available to Chinese applicants only.
  • Applicant required to start in September 2025.
  • The studentship arrangement will cover overseas tuition fees for the duration of the studentship.

Project Description

Data from particle physics experiments can be explored exploiting cutting edge tools to extract unprecedented results.

The main current quest is for new particles or new phenomena that could show us how to extend our understanding of particle physics in order to explain, e.g., the nature of Dark Matter or the unbalance between matter and antimatter.

New particles can reveal themselves via new topologies distinguishing their signal from normal matter or by modifying the predicted rates of rare phenomena.

In any case we as analysts need to employ machine learning algorithms to enhance the sensitivity of the searches of new or rare processes hidden in billions of collision events.

This is an opportunity to develop innovative research strategies that requires lateral thinking and the skills that are key for any data scientist.

Dr Bona is a leading expert in particle physics experiments and phenomenology. She is developing analyses to search for Dark Matter and to measure rare processes. The PhD student will be trained in the fundamentals of particle physics and in Machine Learning for big data modelling and classification and Dr Bona will support them towards the development of original data analysis work.

QMUL is a leading research institute on the ATLAS experiment taking data at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Switzerland and on the Belle II experiment taking data at the KEK accelerator in Japan.

Hence it is an ideal environment to do this work given the expertise and capabilities of its researchers. The group's links with the Digital Environment Research Institute (DERI) and with the Alan Turing Institute will ensure that this PhD student will engage with data science experts and benefit from the local data science research environment.

Contact Dr Marcella Bona <m.bona@qmul.ac.uk> for any inquiry.

Application Method:

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to 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 - 31st of January 2025

Supervisor Contact Details:

For more information on this project please contact Marcella Bona (m.bona@qmul.ac.uk) 

 

Requirements

  • This project is only available to Chinese nationals eligible for China Scholarship Council Funding.
  • The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) and MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent).
  • You will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in all categories. 

SPCS Academics: Dr Marcella Bona

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