Thank you for your interest in working with me. My group works on computational social choice: the mathematical and algorithmic study of collective decision making (voting, committee elections, proportional representation, tournament solutions, participatory budgeting, liquid democracy, etc.) The work is formal. We state models precisely, prove theorems, and analyse the computational complexity of the rules and axioms we propose. If that sounds like fun to you, read on.
DPhil (PhD) students
I take on doctoral students (which in Oxford are called DPhil students) in most years. The number of funded places is small, and I do not control who gets offered funding.
Background. I look for a strong foundation in theoretical computer science, mathematics, and/or theoretical economics. You should be comfortable with discrete mathematics, algorithms and complexity. Ideally, you should also enjoy turning a vague question about collective decisions into a precise statement that can be proved or disproved.
Have a look at my publications page. Pick two or three papers that sound interesting and read them properly. If you enjoy them and want to know what happens next, that is a good sign. Reading papers (not only mine!) is also the best preparation for a research proposal (which is a part of the application package). The strongest proposals often grow out of a question the applicant had while reading. (Note that a research proposal is not a binding commitment. It does not need to be a finished research plan, but it does need to be concrete.)
Timing. You have to apply much earlier than you might expect. To be considered for most Oxford scholarships, you need to apply by the course's deadline in early December for entry the following October. So you need to decide almost a year in advance. Yes, this is annoying. No, I cannot change it. Later applications may still be considered for admission, but they will generally miss the main Oxford funding competition. If you would like to discuss ideas with me before applying (this is highly recommended!), get in touch well before December.
For administrative details (exact deadlines, fees, funding, required documents, English language requirements, etc.), please check the University's official page for the DPhil in Computer Science.
The admissions process is very competitive. There are far fewer funded places than strong applicants, and excellent people are turned down every year. The funding decisions are not mine to make.
Home students. Some studentships and scholarships are available only to applicants with Home fee status. If you qualify for Home fee status, I particularly encourage you to get in touch and apply.
Getting in touch. If you have done the reading above, please do write to me, preferably well before December. Include:
- a CV, and transcripts if you have them
- which papers you have read, and what you made of them
- 1–3 concrete questions, problems or directions you would like to work on
I receive a lot of enquiries and cannot reply to all of them. Please do not interpret silence as a judgement about your abilities; it usually means only that I cannot take the time to respond. I am more likely to reply when an email (1) includes the information listed above, (2) explains why my group is a particularly good fit for your research interests, (3) explains how your background has prepared you for PhD study in my group, and (4) contains the word “Phragmén” in the subject line (bonus points for the correct accent).
Current Oxford students (Part B, Part C and MSc theses)
If you are already in Oxford and would like to write a Part B, Part C or MSc thesis with me, things are much simpler. Send me a short email saying which courses you have taken and what interests you, and we can talk. My course Algorithmic Foundations of Collective Decision Making is a natural starting point, but not a prerequisite.
Postdocs and research assistants
We currently have no open positions. Any that open up will be advertised on the University of Oxford jobs site and announced in the news section of this site.
If you have your own funding, or a concrete plan to apply for it, I am happy to consider supporting you provided that our research interests are sufficiently aligned. Fellowship schemes that could support a postdoc with me include:
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Royal Society Newton International Fellowships
- Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
- DFG Walter Benjamin Programme
- Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation)
Each has its own eligibility rules on nationality, career stage, and where you did your doctorate. Please check that you satisfy them before writing to me.
Internships
I do not offer internships, and I'm afraid I do not reply to emails asking about them.
Last updated: September 2026.