Statistical modelling for single-cell RNA sequencing data for crucial health applications – PhD (Funded) Ref: 5486

Statistical modelling for single-cell RNA sequencing data for crucial health applications

The University of Exeter’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics is inviting applications for a PhD studentship fully funded by the faculty of Environment, Science and Economy to commence on 22 September 2025. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £ 20,776 for 3.5 years full-time.  The student would be based at the Living Systems Institute at the Streatham Campus in Exeter.

Supervisors: Magdalena Strauss (Mathematics and Statistics), Akshay Bhinge (Clinical and Biomedical Sciences), Marc Goodfellow (Mathematics and Statistics)

Single-cell RNA sequencing can quantify the activity of each human gene in individual cells. This has allowed much better insight into heterogeneity across different cells, and helped identify potential drug targets in precision medicine. This fully funded PhD project applies principled statistical modelling to help identify causes of disease and potential drug targets, and to understand mechanisms behind resistance to drugs.