Information for Prospective Students

Please read the following guidelines carefully to determine if my research group is a good fit for your background and goals.

Strong quantitative skills: A solid foundation in mathematics, probability, or statistics.
Programming proficiency: Experience with one of the programming languages such as Python, Julia, Java, or C++, and familiarity with optimization solvers (e.g., Gurobi, CPLEX) or deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
Research alignment: An active interest in transportation networks, warehouse operations, or exact/heuristic optimization methods.

Please carefully consider the following before reaching out:

I do not offer short-term or summer projects. Academic research spans multiple months/semesters. Do not apply if you cannot commit to a continuous, long-term project.
You will typically be the sole student on a project, working directly under my guidance. Proactive problem-solving is essential.
Honest effort will be expected on the project. We will openly discuss progress and roadblocks at every meeting, whether or not we have concrete results.
Generative AI Policy: AI tools may assist with minor tasks (like syntax debugging or grammar checks) but must never substitute for independent problem-solving, mathematical derivations, or original academic writing.

IIMB PhD Students: If you are currently enrolled at IIM Bangalore and our interests align, stop by my office or email me to chat.
Research Associates / Assistants: Please see the application instructions below. (Note: No summer internships)

If you meet the criteria and accept the expectations above, email abhay.sobhanan@iimb.ac.in with the subject “Prospective Student: [Your Name]”.

Please include:

A brief paragraph explaining how your interests align with my research directions.
Your updated CV and unofficial transcripts.

Note: Due to high email volume, I will only respond if your profile strongly matches an open project.