DrFarbod Faraji

Dr Farbod Faraji is an Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Research Fellow at Imperial College London. His research currently focuses on developing and applying neuro-symbolic AI (approaches that aim to combine neural learning with logic-based symbolic reasoning) to address some of the fundamental plasma physics questions hindering the realization of nuclear fusion as a sustainable and near-limitless energy source.

More in general, Farbod's primary research interests fall at the intersection of scientific machine learning and computational modelling for complex physical systems. 

Prior to the current position, Farbod served as co-investigator and technical co-lead of the European Space Agency’s Digital Twin of Hall Thrusters project and previously co-led Imperial’s contribution to the EU H2020 ASPIRE programme, defining simulation-aided qualification strategies for spacecraft propulsion systems.

Earlier, at SITAEL SpA (Italy), he notably developed advanced plasma-fluid models for stability and transport analysis, supporting ESA- and EU-funded R&D projects, and contributed to development of high-power magnetically shielded Hall thrusters.

Farbod’s publications have been recognised as Featured Articles and Editor’s Choice, and he recently published an invited, highly read perspective on machine-learning applications for computational plasma physics. He served as Conference Chair for the 39th International Electric Propulsion Conference, which took place at Imperial College London in September 2025.