postgraduate students projects
I'm looking for PhD students for two projects (with a bit of overlap): the first one is more applied maths, with computer simulation elements, the second one is an applied probability project. The student will belong to the Research Group in Applied and Computational Mathematics, and/or to the Research Group in Probability and Stochastic Analysis.
- Stochastic modeling of biological systems: Due to recent experimental progress, the field of mathematical biology is rapidly growing. There are plenty of biological systems where mathematical models and analysis are needed. Closely interacting with experimentalists, the PhD candidate would formulate and analyze models of cancer progression, virus dynamics, bacterial evolution, and possibly other systems related to molecular motor motion or the origins of life. The project starts with first building and exploring simple model systems, and continues with their study by computer simulations and analytical methods. Knowledge of the biological background is not necessary at the beginning, but one will eventually learn some biology in order to do relevant research.
- Probability models of cancer growth: Biology is a fast growing area for applications of probability. Since still in its infancy, there are many unexplored areas and open problems. In particular, there is a great interest in stochastic models of cancers. This PhD project would focus on understanding the most basic and fundamental models of tumor progression. These models include branching processes, other models borrowed from population genetics, or spatial Poisson processes. The work has a light numerical aspect to it, but would focus more on finding exact solutions, and establishing limit theorems. No knowledge of biology is required.
Informal enquiries at: Tibor.Antal@ed.ac.uk
Apply through the Applied and Computational Maths group here.
You should also apply through The Maxwell Institute Graduate School.
postdoc opportunities
I currently don't have financial support for you, but there are many grants available for postdocs. Please check our department's funding website, and contact me by email at Tibor.Antal@ed.ac.uk