Research Degrees

We offer PhD programmes in many parts of Mathematics and Statistics. For information about the areas in which supervision may be available, see the following links:

If you have a good idea of what you would like to study, it may be best to start with an informal query to a member of staff in the relevant area.
Alternatively, you can contact the Director of Postgraduate Research (Prof Caitlin Buck) or one of the PhD Admissions Advisers (Prof Alan Zinober, Dr Kirill Mackenzie).

Formal applications are handled initially by the Research and Innovation Services department rather than by the School of Mathematics and Statistics. See the following link for details of the process:

How to apply for a Research Degree

Where possible, we will try to find funding to cover fees and pay salaries to PhD students. Salaries generally follow the guidelines set by UK Research Councils (see below). There are various different possible sources of funding with different eligibility rules; the situation is complex and changes frequently, so you should get in touch to find out the latest information. Students from outside the EU will usually need to obtain funding from their own countries. There is a large difference between the fees charged to home and overseas students. Follow the fees status link below to see whether you qualify as a home student.

Current opportunities tied to particular grants or projects are as follows:

STFC-funded PhD Studentship

An STFC funded PhD studentship is available at the Solar Physics and Space Plasma Research Centre (SP2RC), School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield in one of the areas of interest of the Centre:

Helioseismology of the Sun
Magnetoseismology of the solar atmosphere (from spicules to corona)
General MHD wave theory with astrophysical applications
MHD dynamo and turbulence
Heating of the solar atmosphere: waves, reconnection, etc.
Novel joint ground-based and satellite observations of the Sun.

SP2RC has wide expertise in advanced analytical and numerical modelling and analysing high-resolution observations obtained by cutting-edge ground-based instruments and space satellites. The studentship may be supplemented by income from assistance in tutorials.

Applications are invited from Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or Computer Sciences students who have graduated or expect to graduate with a first or upper-second class degree. STFC rules apply for eligibility.

The studentship is available commencing October 2012. The screening of applications is continuous with a closing date of 23 March 2012. Applications after that date may also be considered until the position is filled. For additional information check out our web-site at http://sp2rc.group.shef.ac.uk/

Enquiries may be made of Prof R. von Fáy-Siebenbürgen (Head of SP2RC).

Contact: Prof Robert von Fay-Siebenburgen

NERC-funded Postgraduate Studentship

The Natural Environment Research Council have provided SoMaS with funding for a PhD Studentship for a UK/EU student seeking to start in September/October 2012 and wishing to work on a project relating to the application of mathematics or statistics to study of the natural environment. We have several staff (both mathematicians and statisticians) with research interests that fall within this remit and so, in the first instance, we are simply seeking expressions of interest from potential students who would like to work in this field. We will put the most suitable applicants in touch with relevant members of staff.

The NERC studentship will provide tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and (for UK applicants only) will also provide a 3.5 year stipend (subject to satisfactory progress) at standard UK Research Council rates (with possible enhancement for those studying high priority subjects).

Informal enquiries may be made to the Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Caitlin Buck.

Contact: Prof Caitlin Buck

Interdisciplinary PhD projects in the Centre for Membrane Interactions and Dynamics

Two interdisciplinary PhD projects are available as part of the newly established Centre for Membrane Interactions and Dynamics (CMIAD). Potential applicants should contact Nick Monk (n.monk@sheffield.ac.uk).

Modelling protein interactions in planar cell polarity

Prof Nick Monk (SoMaS) and Prof David Strutt (BMS)

Planar cell polarity (PCP)-the polarisation of cells within the plane of an epithelial sheet-plays important and widespread roles in development and physiology. Genetic and biochemical studies have mapped out a core network of interacting proteins which become distributed asymmetrically in the cell membrane during the process of planar polarisation. However, the nature of the interactions between the proteins, and how these lead to polarised distributions within cells is still poorly understood. The aim of this project is to combine a detailed description of the behaviour of the PCP proteins, obtained using state-of-the-art molecular genetics and imaging techniques, with established mathematical modelling approaches, to further our understanding of PCP. In particular, we will address the central theoretical question of how individual cells coordinate the polarity information they receive from different sources in a tissue.

Modelling Tie2 endocytosis and signalling

Prof Nick Monk (SoMaS) and Prof Liz Smythe (BMS)

The growth and maintenance of a healthy vasculature depends on a complex interplay of signals by a range of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) including Tie2. Tie2 is expressed in endothelial cells where it is essential for vasculogenesis and maintenance of blood vessel integrity in the adult vasculature. Activation of Tie2 by its ligand, Ang1, results in a plethora of downstream signals leading to outcomes such as cell motility, proliferation and survival and a key question is how Ang1 elicits different outcomes depending on cellular context. A key question is how Ang1 is able to elicit these multiple effects and how individual outputs are regulated in a physiological context. Possible mechanisms include differential sensitivity to different ligand concentrations and regulation of signaling via the endocytic pathway. The aim of this project is to develop mathematical models to represent how endocytic flux and subcellular compartmentalization regulate Tie2 signaling.

Both projects would be suitable for a student with a strong quantitative background (e.g. mathematics, physics, engineering or computer science) who is keen to apply their skills to a biological problem with potentially significant translational importance. While the bulk of the data will already be available, we expect the student to gain valuable laboratory experience, particularly in imaging (confocal microscopy) and image analysis.

Contact: Prof Nick Monk

Statistical Ecology

Funding is currently available through the UK National Centre for Statistical Ecology (NCSE) for PhD projects in statistical ecology under the supervision of Prof Paul Blackwell (as well as for projects at other institutions involved in NCSE; joint projects are possible). Applicants with interests in both Bayesian statistics and random processes are particularly welcome, for projects related to the modelling of animal movement based on data from GPS tagging and other kinds of telemetry.

Students from the European Union are eligible for full funding, while non-EU students are eligible for full stipend and partial fees. The stipend will be paid for a period of 3.5 years, and will be enhanced relative to the standard UK research council stipend by £3000 per year.

Contact: Prof Paul Blackwell

Mathematical Modelling of Dynamic Biological Systems

Mathematics is playing an increasingly important role in biology at all levels --- from the development of new medical treatments to improving crop yields. In this project, you will develop and analyse mathematical models to explore dynamical processes in living systems. A range of possible projects is available to suit individual interests and skills. Projects will typically involve a combination of analytical and computational approaches.

You will be an enthusiastic and motivated individual who is keen to apply their skills to problems in biology. You should have or expect to obtain a 1st or upper second class degree in a relevant quantitative discipline (such as mathematics, physics or engineering). Specific biological knowledge is not required.

Contact: Prof Nick Monk

School of Mathematics and Statistics PhD Studentships

The School of Mathematics will directly fund two full PhD Studentships for UK or EU students to start in September/October 2012.

Each fully-funded School Studentship will provide tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus a 3.5 year stipend (subject to satisfactory progress) at standard UK Research Council rates (with possible enhancement for those studying high priority subjects) for PhD study in mathematics or statistics at the University of Sheffield.

Informal enquiries may be made to the Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Caitlin Buck via email at c.e.buck@sheffield.ac.uk

Research in the School of Mathematics and Statistics covers a wide range of interests. For an overview of our research and our academic staff, see the research pages at:
http://maths.dept.shef.ac.uk/maths/research.php

Candidates should apply for admission using the University's standard application procedure, stating clearly what topic they would like to focus on for their research and which members of our staff they feel are most suitable potential supervisors; see
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/

No separate application form is required for the School of Mathematics and Statistics Studentships. Applicants should e-mail maths-phd@sheffield.ac.uk with the subject "PhD funding application". The body of the message should state clearly that the applicant is applying for a School of Mathematics and Statistics Studentship and include: a summary of the applicant's broad area of research interest and an indication as to their preferred research supervisor.

Decisions on these awards will be made in three rounds with closing dates on 24 February, 27 April and 27 July 2012. Should sufficient applications of high quality be available at any round, however, we reserve the right to allocate all funds and to cease accepting further applications.

Contact: Prof Caitlin Buck

School of Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Teaching Assistants

The School of Mathematics and Statistics will directly fund six Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) which will combine PhD study with teaching experience within the School of Mathematics and Statistics. Both GTAs have start dates of September/October 2012.

Each Assistantship will provide tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus a 4 year stipend (subject to satisfactory progress) at standard UK Research Council Rates for PhD study in mathematics or statistics at the University of Sheffield. Each Graduate Teaching Assistant will undertake between 6 and 12 hours per week teaching and related duties during term-time, including tutorials, marking and, where appropriate, lecturing. GTAs will be paid standard University of Sheffield rates for any such work that they do.

Informal enquiries may be made to the Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Caitlin Buck via email at c.e.buck@sheffield.ac.uk

No separate application form is required for School of Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistantships. Applicants should e-mail maths-phd@sheffield.ac.uk with the subject "PhD funding application". The body of the message should state clearly that the applicant is applying for a School of Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistantship and include: a summary of the applicant's broad area of research interest, an indication as to their preferred research supervisor and (for the Graduate Teaching Assistantships) a short statement summarising their motivation to teach as well as to do research.

Faculty of Science Partial PhD Studentships

Thanks to funding from the University's Faculty of Science, the School of Mathematics and Statistics is able to offer several partial studentships for high quality applicants wishing to started research degres in September/October 2012 who can self-fund part of their studies (or who have partial funding from elsewhere). These studentships are available to UK, EU and overseas students.

Partial Faculty Studentships will fund up to 50% of the fees and stipend needed to do a PhD at the University of Sheffield. Applications are invited from high quality applicants who can commit to meeting the remainder of the costs themselves or who have at least 50% sponsorship from elsewhere.

Informal enquiries may be made to the Director of Postgraduate Research, Professor Caitlin Buck via email at c.e.buck@sheffield.ac.uk

No separate application form is required for Partial Faculty Studentships. Applicants should e-mail maths-phd@sheffield.ac.uk with the subject "PhD funding application". The body of the message should state clearly that the applicant is applying for Partial Faculty Funding and include: a summary of the applicant's broad area of research interest and an indication as to their preferred research supervisor.