University of Cambridge > Mathematics > Statistical Laboratory > Richard Weber

Richard Robert Weber

Postal address:

Professor R.R. Weber
Statistical Laboratory
Centre for Mathematical Sciences
Wilberforce Road
Cambridge CB3 0WB
U.K.

Phone: 44-1223-335570 (home), -337944 (work), -337963 (fax) -337959 (secretary)
Electronic mail: rrw1@cam.ac.uk
Nationalities: U.K. and U.S.A.

Research interests

I am interested in the mathematics of systems that are large, complex and subject to uncertainty. By developing mathematics tools in the fields of probability, optimization, stochastic processes and control, I have made contributions to the areas of stochastic scheduling, the Gittins index, Markov decision processes, queueing control, the asymptotics of performance analysis, probabilistic analysis of algorithms, and the theory of communications pricing and control. These theoretical advances have application to problems of optimally allocating limited resources or controlling congestion in manufacturing, transportation and communications systems. Active present interests include: on-line bin packing (especially the probabilistic analysis of the best-fit algorithm); search and rendezvous games, peer-to-peer network technology, the asymptotically optimal pricing of public goods, and yield management.

Present employment

Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics, University of Cambridge: Churchill Professor of Mathematics for Operational Research (1994-).

Queens' College, Cambridge: Professorial Fellow.

Professional activities

INFORMS (USA)
Operational Research Society (UK)
Royal Statistical Society (UK)

Associate Editor, Probability in the Engineering and Informational Sciences

Previously

Associate Editor, Applied Probability
Assistant Editor, Management Science
Assistant Editor, Mathematics of Operations Research
Assistant Editor, Operations Research
Advisory Editor, Wiley series on Optimization and Control

Director of the Statistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 2000-2009
Vice President, Queens' College, Cambriidge, 1996-2006

Education

Cambridge University: B.A. (Mathematics Tripos, 1972-74), Part III (1975), M.A., and Ph.D. (1980).

Previous employments

Cambridge University Engineering Department: Assistant Lecturer (1978-84), Lecturer (1984-92), Reader (1992-94)

Director, Statistical Laboratory, 1999-2000, 2001-2009.

Queens' College: Research Fellow (1977-78), Fellow, College Lecturer (1978-), Director of Studies (Mathematics, Management, Manufacturing) (1984-94), Undergraduate Tutor (1979-84), Postgraduate Tutor (1984-92), Vice-President (1995-07).