I am posting this to the list on behalf of Dr Martin Bees
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Mathematical Sciences Research Scholarship, UNIVERSITY OF SURREY.
Joint Mathematics and Statistics award in Mathematical Biology.
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Surrey
has a joint mathematics and statistics scholarship for a well-qualified
PhD student in Mathematical Biology. The scholarship consists of a PhD
studentship (home fees and a living allowance at EPSRC rates, currently
about 7000 pounds pa) topped up with an additional 2000 pounds pa. The
Department at Surrey has strong and expanding research groups with
particular emphasis on dynamical systems, mathematical biology, nonlinear
PDEs, pattern formation and statistical modelling. Informal enquiries may
be made to Dr M A Bees ([log in to unmask]). Most activities within the
department can be explored at www.maths.surrey.ac.uk.
Title: Calibration, assessment and development of biomathematical
population models
Description: The majority of biomathematical models for describing the
spatio-temporal fluctuations within animal populations are based on
systems of differential equations, possibly involving delays. In many
cases, a background understanding of the life-cycle of the species under
study and the environment within which it lives may yield several
plausible systems each of which may be considered a reasonable model a
priori. In all cases these systems will involve unknown parameters.
The intention of this project will be to use novel statistical methodology
to calibrate these competing models to observed population count data, and
hence, to quantify how well these models are able to describe the observed
animal population behaviour. A likelihood framework will be exploited for
estimating the unknown parameters, and the project will be likely to
involve modern computational techniques such as Markov chain Monte Carlo.
This form of model assessment will enable deficiencies in the proposed
models to be identified and will thus motivate appropriate refinements
which address these deficiencies.
The project would suit someone with strengths in applied mathematics and
previous experience of mathematical statistics.
An application form can be obtained from the Postgraduate Secretary, Dept
of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH
(tel: 01483-876050, email: [log in to unmask]). Please quote the title of
the project in your correspondence. The closing date for applications is
June 30th 2001. Applicants should be eligible for an EPSRC award.
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