2 Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles - EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare

University of Exeter, UK

Two Research Fellows are required to support the EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare (CPMH). The roles are available from 01 October 2018, or a mutually agreeable date soon thereafter, for a period of up to 24 months.

The CPMH is a £2M award which brings together outstanding scientists from mathematics, statistics, computer science and our medical school. With an additional £7M in research funding, the interface between mathematics, computer science and healthcare is one of the most rapidly expanding areas within the University. The Centre forms part of the Quantitative Biology and Medicine Initiative, which currently consists of 15 PDRAs, 9 fellowship holders, and 10 PhD students.

The successful candidates are expected to focus on one of the following areas, depending on their interests and background:

(a) Transient dynamics of networks with multiple time scales: there are significant mathematical challenges from disease modelling that require the development of new techniques to understand transient behaviour in multiple timescale systems, especially for systems where there is not a simple factorization into fast and slow subsystems.

(b) Numerical investigation of models of cardiac diseases: involving multi-scale excitable and transient dynamics, with a focus on re-entrant arrhythmias specifically concerning development and improvements of antiarrhythmia pacing, low-voltage defibrillation and catheter ablation. [In partnership with cardiologists at the RD&E Hospital, Exeter].

(c) Mathematical modelling and analysis of EEG in dementia: EEG analysis has shown promise in differentiating people with dementia from healthy older adults, and therefore could provide indications for early diagnosis. We will use mathematical models to better understand why differences in EEG occur and combine models and analysis to build improved diagnostic markers. [In partnership with colleagues in Bath, Bristol & Reading].

(d) Mathematical modelling and analysis of polygenic disease: conditions such as diabetes and dementia depend on the simultaneous presence of several genes; they are not inherited as simply as single-gene diseases and therefore require the development of new mathematical approaches to improve diagnosis via e.g. the interpretation and uncertainty quantification of proportions of patients in large data sets (e.g. UK Biobank) using genetic risk scores. [In partnership with diabetologists and neurologists from the Medical School].

For full details please see the job advert.

Application deadline: 20 August 2018.

For further information please contact Centre Manager Sarah Purcell, email S.Purcell@exeter.ac.uk or telephone 01392 726447.