Our excellent reputation is based on staff expertise in pure and applied mathematics and statistics, and a research environment and culture dedicated to developing PhD students for careers in industry and academia.
Research is grouped around our three main subject areas and we offer PhD supervision for projects in any of these areas.
In pure mathematics, we have a broad interest in algebra and analysis, with particular strengths in homological algebra, geometric group theory, quantum computing and functional analysis. Our applied mathematics research focuses on fluid dynamics, astrophysics, cosmology and prehistoric population dynamics. We produce state-of-the-art simulations for quantum fluids, astrophysical fluids and magnetic fields and are international leaders in dynamo theory. In statistics, our interests cover applied probability, biostatistics, Bayesian statistics, and statistical bioinformatics.
Based in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, our staff and students work with colleagues in other parts of the University including the Faculty of Medical Sciences and relevant research institutes and centres. We are also active in consortia outside the University including LOFAR UK, UKMHD and FEPRE.
Much of our research is funded by the UK research councils and government departments. The quality of our research was confirmed by the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008. In the research areas that we submitted to, 80–90 per cent of our research was classed as either ‘internationally excellent’ or ‘internationally recognised’ with 5–15 per cent classed as ‘world leading’.
As a postgraduate student you will be a member of our research community and will have office space and full access to our dedicated network of powerful computers, including access to European large-scale computing facilities such as HPC Europa.
You will receive support and guidance from a dedicated team of academic supervisors and participate in the comprehensive programme of research training and professional development provided by the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering.
Our seminar series provides you with plenty of opportunities to practise presenting your work to fellow students and academic colleagues. We actively encourage you to network outside the University through participating in the MAGIC group, attending sessions run by the Newcastle–Durham Graduate Centre, and attending conferences and scientific meetings in the UK and overseas. We have funding for PhD studentships and these can be found on the University’s funding database when details are available.