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Mathematical modelling of infection

PGR-P-2105

Key facts

Type of research degree
PhD
Application deadline
Ongoing deadline
Project start date
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Country eligibility
International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Funding
Competition funded
Source of funding
University of Leeds
Supervisors
Dr Martin Lopez Garcia and Professor Grant Lythe
Schools
School of Mathematics
Research groups/institutes
Applied Mathematics, Mathematical biology & medicine
<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Mathematical models of infection across scales (intra-cellular, within-host and population transmission levels) typically assume that inter-event times are <br /> exponentially distributed, mostly due to mathematical convenience. In this project, we will consider different models of infection dynamics, and explore possible extensions to these models by considering more realistic distributions such as the Erlang or the Hypoexponential. We will leverage tools from the theory of continuous-time Markov chains and Branching processes, and will explore how model assumptions have an impact on the corresponding predictions. You will have the opportunity to interact with other members of the Mathematical Immunology and Epidemiology group at Leeds, as well as with experimental, clinical and non-academic partners who collaborate with the group in this research area.<br />

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PhD Applied Mathematics FT</strong></em>, in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Mathematical modelling of infection</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4054/dr-martin-lopez-garcia">Dr Martin Lopez-Garcia</a> as your proposed supervisor and <em><strong>in the finance section, please state clearly the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored.</strong></em></p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Monday 6 January 2025 if applying for the China Scholarship Council-University of Leeds Scholarship, Monday 3 February 2025 if applying for Leeds Doctoral Scholarship or Tuesday 1 April 2025 for Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship.</strong></p> <p><strong>f you are applying for the School of Mathematics Scholarship 2025/26, or with external sponsorship or you are funding your own study, please ensure you provide your supporting documents at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

<p><strong>Self-Funded or externally sponsored students are welcome to apply.</strong></p> <p><strong>UK</strong> – The <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F138-leeds-doctoral-scholarship-2025-faculty-of-engineering-and-physical-sciences%23%3A~%3Atext%3DKey%2520facts%26text%3DOne%2520Leeds%2520Doctoral%2520Scholarship%2520is%2Crata%2520for%2520part-time%2520study.&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217773721%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3m5BEK5kKBVSs6gIQGgOLlu5Lvlnx8N9zaitu2drWbU%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="http://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/138-leeds-doctoral-scholarship-2025-faculty-of-engineering-and-physical-sciences#:~:text=Key%20facts&text=One%20Leeds%20Doctoral%20Scholarship%20is,rata%20for%20part-time%20study." shash="V9Xo1bAAaBrznNyTxg+esD4W1SO67vge3RW5AiUtLTPQYM6ICx1H2BfDV96B8qpq65/EcbE4G3vzrsV8ihlqdZSbSfTHOL9giROmMjF7ivIVVrsAkJT1bJUtPFyXlAPe6eWGEAvx4NofVqDYjWO/ojX7KkcCj8UdjXlmfVHWPMc=">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: Monday 3 February 2025)</strong>, <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217796371%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=O6WPxZmLYoZhHd0w1P7FBme3bLCYABym0v5r3%2B5rAcA%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022" shash="qgZyvdK9GYLuGsAOvV+RsKSOewg7CNgOpweZBQVJKWFcnentQZot082gzQA+828IaTpIVmf42dtYC8ZqWGXWvb2s4ow0+kvdmSxPOtT6AP7GZbwV+5Sc1xcGO62QuR6e8YA+RWGWVdiTgHex759OI2afeJVacBUY+5zeok7bDe8=">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: Tuesday 1 April 2025)</strong> and <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F55-school-of-mathematics-scholarship-2025-26&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217819366%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RwtJD91AiPV%2BGH16%2BI7Q31FQwe2LYmDZLUG53b2RFko%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/55-school-of-mathematics-scholarship-2025-26" shash="svgDhsnDZ4rOC8TTNkdUNVFg5gZoC7R/1CjmylNUGm+lHAGr3Ib9tWLwWF95Wjw3o4awqelpGW/B1ENPUOgxBqR782t4cUTc5S2lBMJZCmRk4Vi71jmN9j5/CDYnvTLSuhqXGg/F/nQENE+eXf7f5aBh7QuIT8SklEbCaW7nrbE=">School of Mathematics Scholarship 2025/26</a> <strong>(open from October 2024)</strong> are available to UK applicants.</p> <p><strong>Non-UK</strong> – <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F55-school-of-mathematics-scholarship-2025-26&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217842946%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MvUd9de3WOpPHqdSW22IgRpH2FU%2Fchl444ipFPJj7Uk%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/55-school-of-mathematics-scholarship-2025-26" shash="iGSV49Sz2OrFCn8rTRlInKA7+Sm4A0mqz9gaxEc2rDyV6l6x+uWPAMudRJn6xIx2Ji/sYLcyLM2DY3/jnWqr+ipybQ0HKLY82NrsnCg5jaN6XIrTLWZD2lvMVJswJKhWAHGCPltuoDAJJRiO2ZEPZTIdOm0sLxr1org3QOHApKQ=">School of Mathematics Scholarship 2025/26</a> <strong>(open from October 2024)</strong> are available to all International applicants.  The <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217864058%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=72j9ctxcxto5Jth%2FB6aXIYeWnMQXynlJi74Q%2FSNfGz8%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021" shash="jsy8YlCZLieLK6E/Jz7rMoAqE+jbdQ3Lh2RZV236kBq1D2iqIwFCSIrNom9gnbv6M1xR9zFImdMvmQZRXD7qVYHjjS4IoXUpHu+/c4Qe1bRIPkRXOgBEw6KtMeJzSanLl6uy75bF3rkAkI/E/bLWGo70QSVgcAOclqgMJHSU8Mc=">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: Monday 6 January 2025)</strong> is available to nationals of China. The <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F73-leeds-marshall-scholarship&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217886737%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=d5ZM4%2FlLEgb5k5EF%2FLKhJaPisEsk9%2Fq%2FPdU84kbaL8k%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/73-leeds-marshall-scholarship" shash="d9hrx4b44xLjJVXgHhx84+WNd5/1HijZfahecwy98D89f1j06XVUunDg0WTpeMJ1rq0C6Aunhh2R7DV6rXHlmFIxI3tkKrPFiD+v5vOIy1SZWlvQvCr1QflTR6LdrtUxXSesqWAUGbmqJw03o4dodLUmLhMhUvQvCk20XF1cxHc=">Leeds Marshall Scholarship</a> is available to support US citizens. <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphd.leeds.ac.uk%2Ffunding%2F60-alumni-bursary&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217908769%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=usGtri5Nqj3NsCYXihl5seQG8s6Tp3CzVzAko6I5zsI%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" shash="gr673XkVbRdV+nYaDbHP7IlkmOu+hEq/NXMbXSE3eSWiPNsX2SEVhmNNXhhLKDTkDwA6LzXn0NmOZDfYQYn5onJOWLgCZu1VwTu2mWRJeAoiNZdvvzY3VTxUvlaIndVVOGG3K4/uYdFUuZqooyWoEkovt34II79BUC6nwQl68XM=">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£320 in Session 2024/25), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</p> <p><strong>Important: </strong>Please note that that the award does <em><strong>not </strong></em>cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.leeds.ac.uk%2Finternational-visas-immigration%2Fdoc%2Fapplying-student-visa&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217928340%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ctBAxa7vJIT0De4NgUASvPJDUUgwLFi3EGwGAKrfoY4%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa" shash="shUoFX0TCV3C9P0WCDaRpIJABu3cT2BDjYDdeXYHEfkL4TR/bic91UFF2WFs27OZsTlvmDRSTnhMyaAo0AssonhZhc91qnMscwUqz9irMevVsuuEsw8tkbA0DPipjn37fO3sG1sYM7p5uQ+kL4naTdR7qkZdPN/dxSTGbU2bOBk=">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. </p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukcisa.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CM.LopezGarcia%40leeds.ac.uk%7C99d1b7f1a1b742831f0b08dd0949ac2c%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638676934217949279%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I%2FCzwQpXCiNqbuAVu1D9uK9LTBt2Nd5zS35CqImWXms%3D&reserved=0" originalsrc="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/" shash="bo5VyLJBpC3KZT5XaEbgzm/0T8hR51qpX+BAETA6W3xlnE+dtTi3ExuhDuiqfp+jNn51xsodFf3wn8wMzA775Fw5i4dKnI9FK6a0AGPWWDy0JE1uliUjV1g8x9W95HpKqBVM4aYRP2ebzqGpsVrXWmsvaCMoK64iiEKNx0zm5So=">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

<p>For further information about this project, please contact Dr Martin Lopez-Garcia by email to <a href="mailto:m.lopezgarcia@leeds.ac.uk">m.lopezgarcia@leeds.ac.uk</a> or by telephone to +44 (0)113 343 8951</p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk">maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>


<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h3>
<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked research areas</h3>