PhD Studentship: Algorithms on Strings

About the Project

This project aims at advancing our understanding on open problems in data structures and algorithms, with a focus on strings (sequences of characters). A topic of emphasis could be approximate pattern matching.

The explosive growth of sequential datasets in recent decades has brought the challenge of analysing them efficiently. Pattern matching is an action most of us perform daily when we search for a term on the web or a word in a document. In most applications, finding exact occurrences of a pattern in a text is not enough: Think of human spelling mistakes or DNA sequencing errors, for example. Computer scientists have spent great efforts in designing efficient solutions for approximate pattern matching. Several important problems, however, remain open.

Eligibility Criteria

Award open to UK and overseas students.

We are looking for candidates with a solid foundation in algorithms, theoretical computer science, or discrete mathematics. Applicants will normally hold, or be about to complete, a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a closely related field. However, we also welcome outstanding applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a highly competitive programme or with exceptional achievements such as strong results in international programming contests (ICPC, IOI) or mathematics competitions (IMO, Putnam).

Application Process

To be considered for the position candidates must apply via King’s Apply online application system. Details are available at Research degrees | Department of Informatics | King’s College London

Please apply for Computer Science Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time) and indicate Dr Panagiotis Charalampopoulos as the supervisor and quote the project title in your application and all correspondence.

Please ensure to add the following code ‘662*’ in the Funding section of the application form. Please select option 5 ‘I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London’ and type the code into the ‘Award Scheme Code or Name’ box. Please copy and paste the code exactly.

The selection process will involve a pre-selection on documents and, if selected, will be followed by an invitation to an interview. If successful at the interview, an offer will be provided in due course.

Applicants are encouraged to email Panagiotis Charalampopoulos at p.charalampopoulos@kcl.ac.uk before formally submitting their application, including a summary of their academic background, research interests, and any relevant previous experience.

Funding Notes

A fully funded PhD studentship in algorithms for 3.5 years to start in October 2026.

Stipend: roughly £22,780.00 per annum, subject to increase

Bench Fees: £1,000.00 per annum

Tuition fees: covered in full for home/overseas students