PhD Studentship: In “Multi-scale Mathematical Models to Predict Prostate Cancer Progression and Treatment Response.” (2024)

PhD studentship in the Groups of “Mathematics Applied to Biology” and “Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing” at the University of Sussex (UK), with the collaboration of the “Group of Numerical Methods in Engineering” at the University of A Coruña (Spain). 

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Prostate cancer (PCa) poses significant mortality challenges despite screening. Our project explores ferroptosis induction by RSL3 and iron supplementation in PCa models to develop novel treatments. Mathematical oncology is pivotal in cancer research, aiding experimental studies to unravel cancer dynamics and devise personalised therapeutic strategies against this formidable disease. This project aims to construct and validate data-driven continuum and hybrid mathematical models of vascular tumour growth, shedding light on the interaction between novel therapies and PCa cells with the support of prior experimental evidence and mechanistic insights. The project will involve developing and analysing PDE and ABM models and their integration to map cellular behaviour to macroscopic mechanisms and predict therapeutic outcomes. Analysing PDE and ABM models will elucidate drug-cell interactions and resistance mechanisms, guiding therapeutic approaches.

The project endeavours to bridge mathematical rigour with clinical utility, advancing our understanding of PCa dynamics and guiding the development of effective therapeutic strategies.  A crucial aspect of this project, which the successful candidate will be an integral part of, will involve the analytical and numerical study of dynamical systems, alongside statistical comparisons between simulations and experimental data.  Collaboration is key to research, and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with clinicians, biologists, and oncologists from diverse backgrounds to ensure the relevance and applicability of their models across various patient populations.

Our PhD program welcomes students of all genders, ethnicities, races, sexual orientations, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe diversity drives innovation in research.

In this project, the successful candidate will develop expertise in mathematical modelling, computational biology, mathematical oncology, statistics, and numerical methods. They'll learn to analyse and interpret PCa data in a collaborative and supportive environment. 

The work on this project will involve:

• Development and qualitative analysis of PDE models for cancer dynamics and drug-cancer cell interactions.
• Analysis of experimental data.
• External collaboration with interdisciplinary teams (Experimental oncologists).
• Elaboration of scientific articles and conference presentations. 

Amount

• Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years at the home fee status.
• A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years (£18,622 per annum in 2023/24).
• Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel.
• If you are not a UK national, nor an EU national with UK settled/pre-settled status, you will need to apply for a student study visa before admission. 

Eligibility

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, at least a UK upper second class degree (or non-UK equivalent qualification) in Physics/Mathematics, or a closely-related area, or else a lower second class degree followed by a relevant Master's degree.

This award is open to UK and International students.

Deadline

Friday 14 June