Dr. Lenka Zdeborová

Professor

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Biography

Lenka Zdeborová is a Professor of Physics at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne where she leads the Statistical Physics Computation Laboratory. She received her PhD in Physics from the University of Paris-Sud and Charles University Prague in 2008. Zdeborová spent several years at Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Director's Postdoctoral Fellow. From 2010 to 2020, she worked at CNRS, contributing to the Institute of Theoretical Physics in CEA Saclay, France. Her accolades include the CNRS bronze medal in 2014, the Philippe Meyer prize in 2016, the ERC Starting Grant in 2016, and the Irène Joliot-Curie prize in 2018, along with the Gibbs lectureship awarded by AMS and the Neuron Fund award in 2021. In 2025, she is set to receive an ERC Advanced Grant. She is also an editorial board member for various journals including Journal Physics, Physical Review E, and more. Her expertise encompasses statistical physics applications, advanced mean field methods, replica methods, message-passing algorithms, and challenges in machine learning and optimization. Additionally, she enjoys bridging the theoretical underpinnings of physics with mathematics and computer science.

Research Interests

Courses

Data Analysis Scientific Machine Learning Machine Learning in Physics

Requirements for École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.2
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field Strong foundation in Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability Proficiency in programming (Python, Java, or C++)
Application Checklist
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Copy of University Degree(s)
  • Official Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Copy of Passport or Identity Card
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Proof of English Proficiency
Specialization Notes

Standard requirements for Engineering and Basic Science Master's programs. Architecture requires an additional portfolio.