Start Date: October 2015.

Supervisor: Dr Katharina Huber, katharina.huber<στο>cmp.uea.ac.uk

The Project:

As was recognised in the awarding of the Longitude 2014 prize [1], finding ways to combat ever increasing microbial resistance to currently available drugs is one of the great challenges of our time. Understanding how microbes evolve is fundamental for this making it necessary to have powerful mathematical methodology and efficient algorithms at hand to help model microbial evolution. Technological advances in DNA sequence generation have lent support to the idea that the processes that drive the evolution of these organisms is more complex than originally thought.  Such processes include lateral gene transfer whereby, on a high level, genetic material from one species is included in the genome of another species. Examples of this include the avian flu virus H7N9 which has already caused the death of more than 170 people in China since April 2013 [2].

Using a unique combination of approaches from phylogenetics, graph theory, and combinatorics, the aim of this PhD-project is to develop novel mathematical methodology and efficient algorithms to help shed light into the evolutionary armsrace between microbes and their hosts. The successful applicant will be working in a vibrant research environment provided by an internationally recognized team working at the forefront of their field. S(he) should have a strong back ground in computer science, mathematics or engineering but prior knowledge of phylognetics or biology is not required.

Entry Requirements:

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2.1 degree in Computer science, mathematics, or engineering.

Funding:

This project is offered on a self-funding basis. It is open to applicants with funding or those applying to funding sources. Details of tuition fees can be found at http://www.uea.ac.uk/pgresearch/pgrfees 

A bench fee is also payable on top of the tuition fee to cover specialist equipment or laboratory costs required for the research. The amount charged annually will vary considerably depending on the nature of the project and applicants should contact the primary supervisor for further information about the fee associated with the project.

To discuss the application process or particular projects, please contact the: Admissions Office, email:pgr.enquiries.admiss<στο>uea.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1603 591709.