SUPR
Fast Bayesian Inference with Piecewise Deterministic Markov Processes
Dnr:

NAISS 2024/22-1100

Type:

NAISS Small Compute

Principal Investigator:

Ruben Seyer

Affiliation:

Chalmers tekniska högskola, Göteborgs universitet

Start Date:

2024-08-22

End Date:

2025-09-01

Primary Classification:

10106: Probability Theory and Statistics

Webpage:

Allocation

Abstract

Thanks to Monte Carlo methods and modern computing power Bayesian inference is more accessible to practitioners than ever. The ability to sample distributions with intractable normalization constants is crucial in spatial statistics, molecular dynamics, statistical mechanics, and more. At the same time, our samplers are taken from a class of processes that are themselves interesting models; the Bayesian notion of uncertainty for hypotheses still respects the Law of Large Numbers. New sampling methods allow us to explore alternative models for more efficient inference, with one example being the advent of non-reversible Monte Carlo methods such as piecewise deterministic Markov processes (PDMPs). The purpose of this project is to develop new, accessible tools and theory for attacking difficult inference problems with and about continuous-time Markov processes.