Fully-funded PhD Studentship in Mathematical Biology & Evolutionary Dynamics

Summary

We are delighted to offer a fully funded PhD project and applications are invited from strongly motivated and academically excellent candidates for fully funded PhD study in Mathematical Biology & Evolutionary Dynamics, within these strategic priority Research areas:

Population dynamics, evolutionary modelling, theoretical ecology, and sensory perception: Dr Mike Evans, Professor Richard Mann, Professor Mauro Mobilia, Professor Daniel Read

We are interested in developing mathematical and computational tools to understand the mechanisms allowing the maintenance of coexistence in many-body systems, fixation of specific traits, emergence of complex patterns, and sensing of the external world, from bacteria up to large-scale patterns in ecological systems, from molecular level to collective human and animal behaviour. Several fields of Mathematics and Physics provide rigorous methods and powerful tools which can be fruitfully applied to understand such challenging problems. These include stochastic processes, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, evolutionary game theory, finite-size scaling, Bayesian methods, machine-learning and agent-based models.

Mathematical immunology, virology, and epidemiology: Dr Tyler Cassidy, Dr Martín López-García, Professor Grant Lythe, Dr Francesca Scarabel

We develop mathematical models of infection across scales (intra-cellular, within-host and population level). The aim is to use different mathematical tools (differential equations, probability theory, stochastic processes, Bayesian statistical methods) to shed light on infection dynamics (intra-cellular infection, within-host immune response, infection transmission across individuals), as well as to quantify the impact of treatments (e.g. antivirals, antibiotics) and mitigations (e.g. ventilation, mask-wearing, social distancing, etc.) both at the individual and population levels. To do this, we work closely with experimental collaborators (biologists, virologists, immunologists) and non-academic partners (e.g., Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency, UK Department for Transport).

A list of related PhD projects in this area:

• Time-since-infection models in public health
• Approximation of solutions of initial value problems for delay equations
• Mechanistic modelling of treatment resistance in cancer
• Opinion dynamics of rational agents
• Evolution of cooperative resistance in microbial populations subject to fluctuating environments
• Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics of Populations in Fluctuating Environments
• Social Dynamics and Emergence of Collective Behaviour
• Modelling Biodiversity and Pattern Formation with Evolutionary Games
• Evolutionary game theory of scarce resources

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.