At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct innovative mathematical modelling for formulated products in collaboration with industry partners.
- Company: Join a leading research team at the School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham.
- Benefits: Fully-funded PhD with an annual stipend of £21,805 and opportunities for industry internships.
- Other info: Engage in diverse research projects with potential for significant industry applications.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on everyday products while advancing your career in applied mathematics.
- Qualifications: First-class master’s degree in Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, or related field required.
The predicted salary is between 21805 - 21805 £ per year.
A fully-funded 3.5-year PhD studentship (covering UK home student fees and an annual stipend of £21,805) is available in Applied Mathematics for Formulated Products. The PhD will be under the supervision of Professor Rosemary Dyson, in the School of Mathematics (in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences), and interface with the SUM4Products Network.
Background: The formulated product sector influences many aspects of everyday life - the sector is responsible for producing food and drink, personal-care products, cosmetics, washing and cleaning products, and medicines. Due to the wide scope of the sector, it contributes a staggering £142bn (GVA) to the UK economy each year. There is a growing shift in the sector towards the rapid development of smarter, greener, and more personalised products. This includes:
- Developing high-quality, nutritious, and sustainable foods that reduce fat and sugar use without compromising the flavour and texture profiles demanded by consumers.
- The rapid formulation of medicines, therapeutics, and foods to provide cost-effective and personalised products to different age/health groups.
- Reformulation of existing products to incorporate new ingredients in response to regulatory changes or shortages, or to avoid degradation due to time in storage.
Despite their variety, companies across the sector face shared challenges in processing, engineering and performance. Mathematics is the key to unlocking innovation and addressing these complexities. They all require new, predictive models that can link the processing and microstructure of formulated products to their final function and performance.
About the research area and team: SUM4Products (Scale Up Mathematics for Formulated Products) is an EPSRC-funded UK network for advancing the use of mathematics in formulation engineering. The network aims to develop predictive modelling capabilities that will unlock innovation across the sector, collaborating directly with industry.
What you will do: Your degree programme will be the Applied Mathematics PhD. You will conduct mathematical modelling of formulated products, working with experimental data provided by industry partners. Examples of projects include examining fluid dynamics of thermal change, modelling taste release of chocolate, modelling sustainable beverage emulsions. You will be part of a team working on diverse collaborative research opportunities with industry partners. Your final PhD project will likely have a cross-cutting theme, which will have multiple industry uses and applications. There may be a possibility of conducting a research internship with one of our industry partners. You will play a key role in researching new interdisciplinary methods for mathematical modelling in the formulation sector. You will gain experience working directly with industry on real-life challenges and make connections which will shape your future career.
Candidates should have a first-class master’s level degree (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline at the time of taking up the position (Autumn 2026).
PhD Studentship in Applied [R1.1] Mathematics for Formulated Products in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, staff have access to numerous growth opportunities and professional training, all while enjoying the benefits of a flexible working arrangement. Located in a vibrant city, the university promotes a culture of inclusivity and support, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
