PhD in Mathematics

PhD Studentship in “Applications of harmonic analysis in probability and equidistribution theory” (2026)

What you get

• Fully-paid tuition fees for three and a half years.
• A tax-free bursary for living costs for three and a half years (£20,780 per annum in 25/26).
• Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term
  travel.
• If you are not a UK national, nor an EU national with UK settled/pre-settled status, you will need to apply for a student study visa before admission.

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Classical Fourier analysis as well as abstract harmonic analysis provide powerful tools in a large number of areas including number theory, dynamical systems, probability theory, equidistribution theory and optimal transport. The aim of the PhD project is to develop a flexible framework based on harmonic analysis to study random and deterministic systems and point configurations. Potential applications include lattices, point processes, random matrices, and random walks on groups.

During the project you will work on research problems involving the application of harmonic analysis to the equidistribution theory of point configurations in various domains including the unit cube, the unit sphere, groups, manifolds and discrete spaces such as finite fields. You will conduct research using spectral methods in the theory of random walks and dynamical systems, and you will apply Fourier analytic methods in number theory.

 You will work under the supervision of Dr Bence Borda. You will become a member of an active probability research group, which currently includes 6 faculty members, 2 postdocs and 4 PhD students. The research interests of the faculty include random trees and random graphs, random matrices, free probability, statistical mechanics, probabilistic number theory, random walks, Markov chains, stochastic geometry, interacting particle systems and large deviations.

 The ideal candidate has a passion for mathematics and excellent communication skills. Candidates are not expected to have experience in all subjects mentioned above. The project will focus on the areas and applications that align with the background and interests of the successful candidate. Students with an interest in at least one of the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• Classical or abstract harmonic analysis
• Probabilistic number theory
• Point processes and random walks

The start date of the project is flexible, but no later than Autumn 2026. Applications submitted until 15 November 2025 will receive full consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after 15 November 2025. The final application deadline is 31 January 2026.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, at least a UK upper second class degree (or non-UK equivalent qualification) in Mathematics, or else a lower second class degree followed by a relevant Master's degree.

This award is open to UK and International students.

Deadline

31 January 2026 17:00

How to apply

Apply through the University of Sussex on-line system. 

https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply/log-into-account

Select the PhD in Physics/Mathematics, with an entry date of September 2026.

In the Finance & Fees section, state that you wish to be considered for studentship ref Maths/Borda/2026

We advise early application as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable applicant can be found.

Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.

Contact us

If you have practical questions about the progress of your on-line application or your eligibility, contact mps-pgrsupport@sussex.ac.uk

For academic questions about the project, contact Dr Bence Borda at b.borda@sussex.ac.uk

Timetable

The start date of the project is flexible, but no later than Autumn 2026. Applications submitted until 15 November 2025 will receive full consideration. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after 15 November 2025. The final application deadline is 31 January 2026.