Mengyan Zhang

Lecturer (Assistant Professor)

I work on sequential decision-making in machine learning (reinforcement learning, Bayesian optimisation and active learning) and its applications in public health.

Funded PhD position open Get in touch
Mengyan Zhang

About

I am Mengyan Zhang (张梦妍), a lecturer (Assistant Professor) at the university of Bristol. Before that, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, working with Prof. Seth Flaxman. I received my PhD at the Australian National University in 2023, under the supervision of Dr. Cheng Soon Ong, Prof. Lexing Xie and Prof. Eduardo Eyras. During my PhD, I was affiliated with Data61, CSIRO and interned at Microsoft Research Asia. I obtained my bachelor’s degree with first-class honours at the Australian National University and bachelor’s degree at Shandong University.

My research interests are sequential decision-making in machine learning, including Reinforcement learning, Bayesian optimisation and active learning. I work on both theoretical and practical views of experimental design with two goals: (I) Designing robust algorithms to handle imperfect feedback and understand causal relationships in sequential decision-making. (II) Designing decision-making algorithms to solve real-world problems in various areas, for example, synthetic biology, disease surveillance, survey design, and public policy.

Hiring - See Research Directions

I’m looking for highly motivated Ph.D. students who are excited about working on sequential decision making and its applications in health. We have an open funded PhD position: Learning and Decision-Making under Uncertainty in Public Health.

Required

  • MSc in a relevant field (e.g., computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, bioinformatics)
  • Strong background in machine learning/reinforcement learning
  • Programming skills (Python, PyTorch)

Preferred

  • Publication or open-source track record
  • GPU / HPC experience
How to apply

Please email mengyan.zhang@bristol.ac.uk with [PhD Application + Your name] in the subject line, including:

  1. A CV;
  2. A Personal Statement, which is a one- to two-page document introducing yourself and outlining your motivation for PhD research;
  3. A transcript of any qualifying degrees (completed and/or underway);
  4. A research proposal (optional, but preferable);
  5. Any additional materials to support your application, e.g. research outputs, thesis, coding repository, etc.

Due to the volume of enquiries, only shortlisted candidates may receive a response.

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