PhD and MSc positions in Machine Learning Theory at the University of Victoria

[Nishant Mehta]

I have two fully-funded positions, one PhD and one Master’s in my group in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Victoria. The starting date would be Fall 2026 (September 2026).

A core focus area is the intersection of mechanism design and online learning/sequential prediction, including learning from strategic agents. More broadly, my group’s focus is on the theoretical foundations of machine learning. If you like algorithmic game theory, machine learning, and proving stuff, this should be a great fit.

Successful candidates will have freedom to explore theoretically-motivated research topics within machine learning.

An ideal candidate at the PhD level has a Master’s degree specializing in Machine Learning, Theoretical Computer Science, or Statistics. Candidates from Math with some exposure to (and lots of interest in) machine learning are especially encouraged to contact me. Related, mathematically-oriented degrees like (e.g.) Electrical Engineering and Physics also will be viewed favorably.

An ideal candidate at the Master’s level has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or related mathematically-oriented areas.

For both PhD and Master’s, some prior exposure to machine learning, and high interest in mathematical proofs, is essential.


** Interested Applicants**

If you are interested in doing a PhD or MSc with me, please email me (nishant...@gmail.com) with a brief introduction, including your research interests and academic background. You need only apply after I recommend you do so, but in any case the application form can be found here:
    https://www.uvic.ca/engineering/computerscience/graduate/applying/index.php
For September 2026 entry, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible if you are interested. Please note that December 15th is not a hard deadline. If there is a good match, applying by early January is fine.

Women and individuals from underrepresented minority groups are especially encouraged to apply.


** Contact Information **

Nishant Mehta
nishant...@gmail.com
http://web.uvic.ca/~nmehta

** University of Victoria **

Where is the university? The University of Victoria is in Victoria, BC, Canada, on Vancouver Island. Victoria has both ferry and seaplane connections to Vancouver and Seattle. We have a lush, green campus.

How is the machine learning group? In addition to more senior faculty, we have senior junior faculty working in areas such as explainable AI, differential privacy, online learning, and natural language processing.

How is the theory group? We have an active theory group including several junior faculty in complexity theory, cryptography, and algorithms.

I know for serious research students the below questions aren’t at the top of your mind. Yet, I feel there’s no harm in having a nice environment, so read on if you like.

I heard Canada is cold? Is Victoria cold?  No. Victoria has a temperate climate, similar to Vancouver and Seattle but with much less rain.

I don’t believe you. I heard Canada is cold. That’s not a question. But see for yourself here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria,_British_Columbia#Climate. Victoria has the best climate in all of Canada.

What does the city have to offer? The city has a bustling downtown packed with great restaurants, and campus is reachable from downtown in a little over 20 minutes via bicycle or bus.

Can I cycle and live to talk about it? Yes. The city is incredibly bikeable. The city has aggressively added (and continues to add) bike lanes in the past few years. We even have many bike lanes with concrete barriers.