Doctoral scholarships in Math Biology at Oxford

We have funding for Two Doctoral studentship (DPhil) opportunities in Mathematics,
University of Oxford working on Modelling Cytokine Interactions: simulating network
dynamics under uncertainty for cytokine targeting treatments of auto-immune and
inflammatory diseases (code CKGSK) and Network stability in auto-immune diseases (code
STABI).  The basic description can be found below.  Applications are invited for two 4
year D.Phil.  iCASE Studentships in Mathematics, funded by GlaxoSmithKline and the
EPSRC.  

The D.Phil.  studentships will start on 1st October 2021, and will be based at the
Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, with supervision from Professors Eamonn
Gaffney, Renaud Lambiotte, Philip Maini of the Mathematical Institute, Professor Mark
Coles of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and Dr Stefano Zamuner and Dr Daren
Austin of GlaxoSmithKline.  The studentships are fully funded, and include a standard
maintenance stipend of approximately £15,285, together with College and University fees
at the Home/EU rate, as applicable.  

Project A.  Cytokines are diffusing signaling molecules that represent a critical
component of the immune system, orchestrating the communication among diverse
immunological cells.  The temporal interactions of cytokines may be summarised in terms
of complex networks, overlaid with a dynamical system often represented as coupled
systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations.  A first objective will be to
examine and understand the problem of network uncertainty for model selection, parameter
estimation and dynamical system simplification.  A second objective will be to apply
such understanding to interrogating modelling studies investigating the temporal
dynamics of patient responses, and the behaviour of potential biomarkers, in the context
of cytokine-targeting treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.  

The studentship is attached to Linacre College.  

Project B.  The immune system presents a complex multi-scale network, with cellular,
inter- and intra-cellular components and serves as an exemplar of multiscale
connectivity and signalling; from cell to cell, cytokine to cell and chemical to
chemical within cells.  This work will investigate the stability of dynamical systems on
such networks in the presence of temporal and spatial perturbations.  The development of
theory and numerical simulation of sample structural and temporal networks will form the
foundations of this research.  The theoretical findings will be applied to the study of
the immune system network in order to improve our understanding at multiple levels.  

The studentship is attached to Linacre College.  

Requirements.  As a minimum, applicants are normally expected to be predicted or have
achieved a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours
(or equivalent international qualifications), as a minimum, in a mathematical or
quantitative science.  Suitable subjects include physics, mathematics, statistics,
computer science and engineering; a biological or medical degree supplemented by degree
level mathematical knowledge would also be suitable.  Candidates should also be able to
demonstrate a genuine interest in immunology and knowledge of network theory is
desirable.  

EPSRC training grant eligibility conditions apply for the award of these studentships
and only Home applicants are eligible for full funding.  

How to apply.  Applications should be made online at 

https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/Y9pvC2xMQziwxYmwCntcMO?domain=evision.ox.ac.uk 

and should include a CV, cover letter, statement of research interests and motivation,
three references, and a transcript of previous degrees.  Applications must arrive by
noon on Friday 5th March.  References can also be sent directly to Sandy Patel (e-mail
graduate.studies@maths.ox.ac.uk ) by the closing date.  Please note that applicants are
able to apply to be considered for both studentships.  Please state the code of the
project you wish to apply to in your application form, if you are interested in applying
to both, please quote both studentship codes in your DPhil in Mathematics application
form.  

For further details of the application process, please contact
graduate.studies@maths.ox.ac.uk .  

The advert and further particulars can be found on
https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/AAVPC3QNPBiQ8k4QtqxKtV?domain=maths.ox.ac.uk 

If there are any questions about these opportunities, please send them to Eamonn Gaffney
(gaffney@maths.ox.ac.uk) 

If you have questions about studying Mathematics at Oxford as an Australian or the
Mathematical Biology group there, please contact Mary Myerscough
(mary.myerscough@sydney.edu.au)