About the Project
We are looking for an exceptional student to take on an exciting interdisciplinary project at the interface of biomechanical modelling and respiratory medicine. The successful applicant will be a PhD candidate based at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Manchester working alongside collaborators at the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre based in Wythenshawe (south Manchester). It provides an excellent opportunity for a student with a background in mathematics or a suitable branch of the physical sciences to apply their expertise to a project that will help understand how changes in lung structure associated with disease affect lung function.
The goal of the project is to develop new modelling approaches to simulate the complex structure and mechanics of the lung parenchyma (i.e. the tissue surrounding the airspaces of the lung). The proposed approach is based on recent successes using methods based in discrete calculus and graph theory to model large-scale discrete networks representing physical systems in biology [1–4]. The research is motivated by the two-way mechanical feedback that occurs between the tissue and airways and how these mechanical linkages are altered in lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This will be supported by a collaboration with researchers in respiratory medicine to inform model parameterisation in COPD based on data from human lung tissue samples.
Ultimately, these new developments will be incorporated into an existing organ-scale computational model of airflow in the lungs [5], in order to predict the feedback between tissue mechanics and the delivery of gases and particles into the lung. The successful candidate will be one of 3 PhD students working in the growing Lung Modelling Group at the University of Manchester, led by Dr Carl Whitfield. Therefore, the student will benefit from directly relevant peer support as well as the experience of the larger biomechanics group in the Department of Maths. The project will also be co-supervised by Prof Oliver Jensen (Sir Horace Lamb Professor in the Department of Mathematics) and Dr Andrew Higham (Research Associate in the Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine).
Eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.
- Have experience (taught or practical) of computer programming and numerical modelling.
- Have a keen interest in medical research and working in a multi-disciplinary team.
Any of the following attributes would be advantageous, but are not required:
- Knowledge of biomechanics, continuum mechanics or mathematical biology
- Knowledge of C++, Python, MATLAB or Julia programming languages
Before you apply
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisors for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.
How to apply
Apply online through the University of Manchester website: Please apply here
When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor (Carl Whitfield),
Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:
Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
CV
Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
English Language certificate (if applicable)
If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
Funding Notes
This 3.5 year PhD is fully funded for home students; tuition fees are covered and a tax free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). There is one funded PhD post available. EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status can also apply but their application eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Outstanding international candidates are also encouraged to apply, but funding to cover international tuition fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The intended start date is September 2025. Applications will be accepted until the post is filled.
References
[1] Jensen, O. E., Johns, E. & Woolner, S. Force networks, torque balance and Airy stress in the planar vertex model of a confluent epithelium. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 476, 20190716 (2020).
[2] Whitfield, C. A. et al. Spectral graph theory efficiently characterizes ventilation heterogeneity in lung airway networks. J. R. Soc. Interface 17, 20200253 (2020).
[3] Jensen, O. E. & Revell, C. K. Couple stresses and discrete potentials in the vertex model of cellular monolayers. Biomech Model Mechanobiol (2022) doi:10.1007/s10237-022-01620-2.
[4] Cowley, N., Revell, C. K., Johns, E., Woolner, S. & Jensen, O. E. Spectral approaches to stress relaxation in epithelial monolayers. Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 480, 20240224 (2024).
[5] Shemilt, J. D. et al. Non-local impacts of distal airway constrictions on patterns of inhaled particle deposition. Preprint at https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2404.03760 (2024).