Why study a PhD with us? – Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Excellence in mathematics research

The University of Reading is in the top 125 in the world for Physical Sciences (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, by Subject).

We have a long and established track record of research that makes an impact. 98% of our research is world leading or internationally excellent and 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (Research Excellence Framework 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Mathematical Sciences).

Our applied research covers a wide range of areas – from endangered elephants to better weather forecasts; from the design and analysis of clinical trials to real-time monitoring of evolving social networks.

Learn more about our research

Supportive learning community

When you start a PhD in mathematics at Reading, you'll join a friendly, inclusive community of passionate staff and students in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, who will motivate you to achieve your goals. You'll also be part of the wider doctoral community at Reading.

There are regular opportunities to meet with other doctoral students, including at our departmental seminars and workshops, and at lectures, training and networking and social events run by the University's Doctoral and Researcher College.

Learn more about life in the Department

Expert PhD supervision

Our academics are leaders in their fields. They supervise PhDs on a broad range of topics within pure and applied mathematics and statistics.

Throughout your PhD you'll be supported by one or more academic supervisors, who will meet with you regularly to provide advice and support.

Find out more about our staff and their areas of expertise

Reading presented me the exciting prospect of working in an area of very active research with internationally renowned specialists. It offered me the amazing opportunity to work in a dynamic scientific environment and be in close contact with other strong mathematical groups. And also the chance to undertake a wealth of training activities and courses that would broaden my technical knowledge and strengthen my technical skills.

Carlos André Viera Macedo

PhD researcher in mathematics

Doctoral training to help you grow as an academic

Training is an intrinsic part of your development as a researcher.

You can apply for doctoral training and studentships from the NERC Climate System and Biodiversity Science CROCUS Doctoral Landscape Award (DLA), Mathematics for our Future Climate and NERC AI-INTERVENE Doctoral Focal Award (DFA). These include a wide range of opportunities for placements and training with external partners.

The University of Reading is a major centre of research and training, you can explore additional doctoral training programmes.

Collaborating on impactful interdisciplinary research

We work with a wide variety of academic and industrial partners on research that tackles global problems.

We are part of the larger School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences, which includes our world-leading Department of Meteorology and several national research centres.

We also incorporate Europe's largest academic group in data assimilation. Its research not only ties together the main themes in meteorology (weather, climate and earth observation), but reaches across into mathematics, statistics and beyond.

Doing a PhD at Reading, you always have staff and other PhDs to ask questions, learn from and importantly have a bit of a laugh with now and again. I really have felt that no question is a stupid question. My supervisors have been absolutely great throughout my PhD, with regular meetings, useful advice, lots of encouragement, and help with keeping calm when life gets stressful.

Nicola Thorn

PhD student

Research training

In the first two years of your degree course, you will benefit from a programme of relevant postgraduate courses which will be agreed between you and your supervisor/s as well as a programme of transferable skills organised by the Graduate School.

Your career

Our PhD students go on to work in academia as postdoctoral researchers, but also quickly find employment in industries such as IT, defence, fraud detection, finance and banking.