Key facts
- Type of research degree
- PhD
- Application deadline
- Friday 27 February 2026
- Project start date
- Thursday 1 October 2026
- Country eligibility
- International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
- Funding
- Competition funded
- Source of funding
- University of Leeds
- Supervisors
- Professor Martin Speight
- Schools
- School of Mathematics
- Research groups/institutes
- Pure Mathematics
Applications are invited from strongly motivated and academically excellent candidates for fully funded PhD study in Applied Mathematics. The Department of Applied Mathematics at Leeds is large and vibrant, comprising approximately 30 faculty members, 10 postdocs and 25 PhD students, with wide interests and expertise in the particular research groups: Applied Nonlinear Dynamics, Astrophysical & Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Complex Materials and Industrial Mathematics, Mathematical Biology & Evolutionary Dynamics and Mathematical Physics.
<p>We are delighted to offer a fully funded PhD scholarship for PhD study in Pure Mathematics, within these strategic priority Research areas;</p> <p><strong>Algebraic groups in characteristic p <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4083/dr-rudolf-tange">Rudolf Tange</a>, <a href="mailto:R.H.Tange@leeds.ac.uk">R.H.Tange@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Computability Theory and Proof Theory <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4078/dr-paul-shafer">Dr Paul Shafer</a>, <a href="mailto:p.e.shafer@leeds.ac.uk">p.e.shafer@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Conformal geometry of infinite-dimensional spaces <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4048/dr-vladimir-v-kisil">Dr Vladimir Kisil</a>, <a href="mailto:v.kisil@leeds.ac.uk">v.kisil@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Geometric flows <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/10407/dr-ben-lambert">Dr Ben Lambert</a>, <a href="mailto:b.s.lambert@leeds.ac.uk">b.s.lambert@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Differential Galois theory <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/14204/dr-michael-wibmer">Michael Wibmer</a>, <a href="mailto:M.Wibmer@leeds.ac.uk">M.Wibmer@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Dualities in convex geometry <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/15110/dr-kasia-wyczesany">Dr Kasia Wyczesany</a>, <a href="mailto:K.B.Wyczesany@leeds.ac.uk">K.B.Wyczesany@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Minimal surfaces <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/5246/dr-ben-sharp-">Dr Ben Sharp</a>, <a href="mailto:b.g.sharp@leeds.ac.uk">b.g.sharp@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Model Theory <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/9082/dr-pantelis-eleftheriou">Dr Pantelis Eleftheriou</a>, <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4058/dr-vincenzo-l-mantova">Dr Vincenzo Mantova</a>, <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/14204/dr-michael-wibmer">Dr Michael Wibmer</a>, <a href="mailto:p.eleftheriou@leeds.ac.uk">p.eleftheriou@leeds.ac.uk</a>, <a href="mailto:v.l.mantova@leeds.ac.uk">v.l.mantova@leeds.ac.uk</a>, <a href="mailto:m.wibmer@leeds.ac.uk">m.wibmer@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Set Theory <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4010/dr-andrew-brooke-taylor">Dr Andrew Brooke-Taylor</a>, <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/10607/dr-asaf-karagila">Dr Asaf Karagila</a>, <a href="mailto:A.D.Brooke-Taylor@leeds.ac.uk">A.D.Brooke-Taylor@leeds.ac.uk</a>, <a href="mailto:a.karagila@leeds.ac.uk">a.karagila@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Spectral geometry <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4049/dr-gerasim-kokarev">Dr Gerasim Kokarev</a>, <a href="mailto:g.kokarev@leeds.ac.uk">g.kokarev@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> SubRiemannian geometry <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/15258/dr-f-tripaldi">Dr Francesca Tripaldi</a>, <a href="mailto:f.tripaldi@leeds.ac.uk">f.tripaldi@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Statistical mechanics <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4061/professor-paul-martin">Paul Martin</a>, <a href="mailto:P.P.Martin@leeds.ac.uk">P.P.Martin@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Topological quantum field theories <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4021/dr-joao-faria-martins">Joao Faria Martins</a>, <a href="mailto:J.FariaMartins@leeds.ac.uk">J.FariaMartins@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Topological solitons <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4034/dr-derek-harland">Dr Derek Harland</a>, <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/4079/professor-martin-speight">Professor Martin Speight</a>, <a href="mailto:d.g.harland@leeds.ac.uk">d.g.harland@leeds.ac.uk</a>, <a href="mailto:j.m.speight@leeds.ac.uk">j.m.speight@leeds.ac.uk</a><br /> Yang-Baxter equation <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths/staff/14917/dr-ilaria-colazzo">Ilaria Colazzo</a>, <a href="mailto:I.Colazzo@leeds.ac.uk">I.Colazzo@leeds.ac.uk</a></strong></p> <p>Please email the prospective supervisor directly for more information. Supervisor profiles and contact details can be found be clicking on the Supervisor name.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align:start; margin-bottom:24px">Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/maths-research-degrees/doc/apply">University’s website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PHD Pure Mathematics FT </strong></em>and in the Research Information section please state clearly that you are applying for <em><strong>Fully-funded PhD Studentship in Pure Mathematics and the name of the academic supervisor</strong></em>. <em><strong>Please state clearly in the Finance section that the funding source you are applying for is</strong></em> <em><strong>the</strong></em> <em><strong>School of Mathematics Scholarship 2026/27</strong></em>.</p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date of Friday 27 February 2026. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Friday 27 February 2026:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <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>
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.
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.
<p>A highly competitive School of Mathematics Scholarship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £20,780 for academic session 2025/26) for 3.5 years. Training and support will also be provided. <br /> <br /> This opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants. All candidates will be placed into the School of Mathematics Scholarship Competition and selection is based on academic merit.<br /> <br /> Please note that there is only 1 funded place available. Please note that whilst you may be successful in securing an academic offer for any project linked to this funding opportunity, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis.</p> <p><em><strong>Important:</strong></em> Please note that that the award does <em><strong>not</strong></em> cover the costs associated with moving to the UK. All such costs (visa, Immigration Health Surcharge, 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://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>
<p>Please contact any of the supervisors listed above regarding your interest in Pure Mathematics.</p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="http://phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk/">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>
<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked funding opportunities</h3>