PhD Studentship: System Dynamics Modelling of Services for Children with Complex Health Needs

Fully-funded PhD opportunity at UCL developing simulation models to improve healthcare and education transitions for children with complex health needs.

Best for:Best for quantitative graduates in mathematics or operational research with a strong interest in healthcare systems modeling and stakeholder co-production.

UCL · London, United Kingdom · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at UCL

System DynamicsOperational ResearchHealthcare ModellingSimulationHealth Services Research

Deadline

Oct 25, 2026

11 days

Funding

Salaried

£2.0k/mo

Start date

2027-02-01

Full-time

Location

London

United Kingdom

Overview

UCL Department of Mathematics is inviting applications for a fully-funded 44-month PhD studentship starting in February 2027. Operating within the NIHR/EPSRC-funded SPROCKET Hub and the Clinical Operational Research Unit, the successful candidate will build System Dynamics simulation models to analyze children's transitions from hospital to home and through key educational milestones. The researcher will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary experts and stakeholders across healthcare, social care, and education while fulfilling departmental teaching assistant duties. Applicants are expected to hold a strong background in mathematics or a related field and demonstrate a keen interest in operational research and system dynamics.

PhDSystem DynamicsOperational ResearchHealthcareSimulation ModellingSPROCKET HubUCL

What you'll do

Develop and refine System Dynamics simulation models to analyze healthcare and educational transitions for children with complex needs.
Investigate factors influencing patient transitions from hospital to home and during school entry or grade transitions.
Engage and collaborate with external stakeholders across healthcare, social care, and education sectors.
Participate in multidisciplinary research meetings and activities as part of the SPROCKET Hub.
Undertake teaching assistant duties within the Department of Mathematics, supported by departmental training.
Contribute to research seminars and present findings within the academic community.

Requirements

Degree required: Upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Operational Research, System Dynamics, or equivalent

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English; meets UCL postgraduate English language entry requirements

Instruction: English

Required skills

Sufficient mathematical background to fulfill teaching assistant duties
Interest in System Dynamics and simulation methodologies
Aptitude for multidisciplinary collaboration with clinical and educational stakeholders
Strong analytical and modelling capabilities

Nice to have

Hold or be working towards an MSc or MSci degree at merit or distinction levelPrior experience in healthcare operations research or systems thinking

Eligibility

Open to home and international applicants
Must be able to start on 1 February 2027

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

£2.0k/mo

Duration

44 months

Programme

SPROCKET Hub

NIHR and EPSRC

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-10-25

Submit an application through the UCL Postgraduate Applications portal selecting Research Degree: Mathematics (degree code RRDMATSING01). List the specified professors as supervisors in the proposal section. Instead of a formal research proposal, provide statements detailing project interest, PhD motivation, and relevant qualifications.

Documents required