Specific projects
Funded PhD Studentship at Imperial in partnership with Meta starting 28th September 2026
We are pleased to offer a fully funded PhD studentship in collaboration with Meta, as part of the StatML CDT at Imperial. Starting on 28th September 2026, this project will develop new statistically principled methods for evaluating and improving modern AI systems, with a particular focus on cybersecurity applications. Working closely with researchers at Meta and Imperial, the successful candidate will investigate methodological challenges arising in large-scale AI and data systems, with opportunities to contribute both new statistical and machine learning methodology and practical tools for high-impact real-world problems.
The project may focus on topics such as prompt injection detection and the statistical significance of large language model evaluations, or role mining in access graphs with node attributes for large distributed systems. Across either direction, the research will emphasise robust evaluation, anomaly detection, representation learning, and interpretable, statistically grounded methods for complex modern infrastructures. This is a unique opportunity to work at the interface of statistics, machine learning, and cybersecurity, in collaboration with leading academic and industry researchers.
A more detailed project description can be found here.
While StatML admission is currently closed for general studentship, this specific opportunity has arisen and we welcome applications from eligible students.
How to apply. To express interest in this studentship, please email statml.io.admissions@imperial.ac.uk, using the subject line “Meta-funded PhD studentship – [Your Name]” and attaching your CV and degree transcripts. Only shortlisted candidates will subsequently be invited to submit a formal full application to the StatML CDT (including personal statement and academic references).
Expression-of-interest deadline: Friday 11 September 2026, 12:00 noon (UK time). Expressions of interest received after this deadline will not be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 14 September.