PhD Projects and Studentships

The Department of Mathematics offers the opportunity to study for a PhD in Mathematics, for which the normal duration of study is expected to be three years.

The format is entirely research-based, although students are encouraged to attend 100 hours of mathematical broadening training on taught modules.  Professional development courses may also be taken.  For EPSRC-funded research students, the minimum of 100 hours of mathematical broadening training is mandatory as required by EPSRC.

Facilities

Our overall aim is to create an environment conducive to discussion and research collaboration at the highest level.

Research students have dedicated shared office space close to their supervisors' offices and are supplied with a desktop computer. The Department has its own computing research laboratory containing several workstations and PCs. As researchers, PhD students have full access to the University's high-performance computing facilities.

Interaction between research students is greatly supported by the provision of a dedicated communal space and kitchen.  Research students also use this space to give seminars to their peers.  Additionally, the facilities of the Sussex Research Hive are available to all doctoral researchers and research staff.

Progress

In their first year, students have a brief "Starter Review" three months after beginning their PhD studies.

Student progress is reviewed annually by a written report and interview to ensure timely completion of the PhD.

Funding

Funding for UK & EU students

We expect to have a number of EPSRC-funded studentships in the Department of Mathematics each year.  EU students should check their eligibility.  School-funded scholarships may also be available, for both UK and EU students.  All currently-available funded PhD opportunities are advertised on the Searchable Funding database.

Funding for Overseas students

Funded PhDs are occasionally available.  Where a School-funded PhD is offered, which normally waives only the UK/EU fees, an overseas student can be considered providing there is a realistic plan for funding the additional fees incurred by overseas students.  All currently-available funded PhD opportunities are on the Searchable Funding database.

Contacts

For practical questions about applications and/or funding contact the Research & Enterprise Coordinator on mpsresearchsupport@sussex.ac.uk .  For academic questions contact the Mathematics Director of Doctoral Studies, Dr Omar Lakkis.

Applying for a PhD place

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the Sussex online application system.  Include your CV, degree certificates and transcripts, and a statement of your interest. Name the academic you would like as your supervisor.  You should also name two referees. 

For general information on postgraduate studies at Sussex see the University Postgraduate Study page.

Your qualifications
For PhD admission, you should hold a Bachelor degree in Mathematics, Physics, Engineering or related subject, at upper second or first class.  Alternatively a lower second class Bachelor with a good pass at Masters level.  Equivalent non-UK qualifications are accepted.  If English is not your first language, an IELTS certificate at 6.0, or equivalent qualification, is required.

Deadlines for Applications

We welcome applications from potential PhD students at any time, but note that funded PhD positions may have a specific deadline and start date. The normal expected start date is the third week of September, but students may also start in January or May.

Possible Projects and Supervisors

Students will have an agreed project and supervisors upon accepting an offer of a PhD place. All students have two supervisors where the second supervisor may have a share of supervision between 5% (offers occasional advice) up to 45% (near-joint supervision).  This will depend on the nature of the project and available faculty expertise.

We are also open to modifying the projects listed below, or developing ideas that candidates may have themselves.

Projects currently available

All the projects below are open to UK, EU and Overseas students.

For funded PhD positions (studentships), check the Searchable Funding Database where vacancies are advertised.

You are welcome to contact the faculty member about the research projects below in before submitting your formal application. 

Dr Chris Hadjichrysanthou

I am pleased to offer these exciting interdisciplinary projects. The projects are available for a January, May or September start date, and applications are welcome at any time.

There is no funding for these projects. Applicants should say if their PhD project will be self-funded. I would be happy to help applicants obtain external funding by, for example, writing letters of support.

Contact me if you are interested in any of these projects.

Development of mathematical models and computational tools to improve understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease and facilitate clinical trial design for potential treatments

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which is rapidly becoming one of the leading causes of disability and mortality. All clinical trials of disease-modifying treatments have consistently failed. The health and socio-economic impact of the disease is huge. We aim to develop novel mathematical, statistical and computational tools that will enhance research in the area of AD, address the therapeutic challenges and accelerate the development of much-needed treatments.

The tools will help generate insight into the natural history and progression of AD by enabling:

• the analysis and understanding of the available clinical and epidemiological data,
• the identification and prediction of the long-term temporal changes of biological and cognitive markers of disease progression,
• the estimation of the probability and time required for an individual to develop dementia due to AD.

We will explore long, complex and expensive clinical trials of treatments in development. This will enable the improvement of different design components in a relatively cheap and rapid manner, such as what needs to be measured, the best trial endpoints, trial duration, time of intervention, sample size, and inclusion criteria for trial participants.

Development of mathematical models of infectious diseases and interventions for controlling emerging respiratory virus infections

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 disease has demonstrated the need for sustainable health emergency preparedness to prevent or control outbreaks of pathogenic emerging and re-emerging infections. We will develop mathematical and computational tools to facilitate the assessment of novel prophylactic antiviral treatments in development.

Mathematical models and computer simulations will be developed to describe the dynamical changes of different respiratory viruses, like SARS-CoV and influenza, at different levels, from the cellular level to the individual and population level in highly heterogeneous environments. The models will be extended to incorporate the impact of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions.

Individual-level data of viral load will be analysed to understand how viral load changes in different risk groups. Using the available clinical and epidemiological data, we will parametrise the mathematical models and consider the impact of novel treatments when they are administered at different stages in disease development. The focus will be on the effectiveness of the treatments in controlling:

• viral replication within an individual host,
• transmission of viral infections between individuals.