Jonathan took the course in 2016-2017. He went on to do a PhD at Cambridge and is now a research scientist with OpenAI.
What was your background before starting the MPhil?
Before starting the MPhil I had completed an Engineering program from the Ben-Gurion University of Israel. This included a focus on Industrial Engineering, and an MEng with a focus on applied statistics and machine learning.
What did you get out of the course?
The course provided several important benefits:
- I was able to build up a relatively deep understanding of important machine learning concepts and material that has served me extremely well in the work I have done since.
- My main ambition coming into the course was to conduct research in ML. Beyond the material covered, which provided a very good starting point for conducting research in the field, the research component of the course provided valuable hands-on experience.
- The exposure to the professors was extremely beneficial to me. The small size of the course meant that we were able to get meaningful interactions with the academic staff, and I think I learned as much from my conversations and work with them as I did from the course material itself. This is true for both the technical content and the more intangible aspects of conducting research.
What were the highlights?
From the course itself, the main highlights for me were the Advanced ML course and the research component. I enjoyed both immensely. Another important highlight for me was my classmates. The group of people was fantastic, and we were all quite close during the course. I am still in close touch with many of them.
What have you gone on to do after the course and what are your longer-term plans?
Following the MPhil, I continued on for a PhD with the Cambridge Machine Learning Group. This was a direct result of the MPhil, and the best outcome I could have hoped for. Today, I am a research scientist at OpenAI, where I continue to work on cutting edge AI/ML research. Coming into the MPhil, my goal was to go on to a career in ML research. That remains my longer-term plan, and so far I can say that I am on track for that. No doubt the MPhil played a crucial role in this.
What advice would you give to people applying for the course?
If you’re interested in research in ML and related fields, definitely consider applying for this course. The curriculum, staff, and organization is fantastic, and I strongly recommend it. I would also advise going through the recommended reading, both to get a better understanding of the technical content covered in the course, and to hit the ground running in the course modules.
What advice would you give to people taking the course?
In my opinion, two of the biggest advantages of the course are the classmates and professors. I would strongly advise people attending the course to make the most of both. Get to know your classmates, and try to work together on the course content. There will be extremely smart, capable, and pleasant people in your class, and you are likely to benefit immensely, from both technical and social perspectives, by reaching out and getting to know them.
Your professors are an incredible asset. They are absolutely world leaders in the field, and they have years of experience conducting research and teaching. Moreover, one of the significant benefits of the course is being on the small side, meaning that you will have far more access to the staff than you might have in a larger course. I learned as much from my interactions with the professors as I did from the raw course materials, and I encourage anyone taking the course to do the same.
1st June 2022