THE MAGPIE GROUP
The MAGPIE (MAthematics, Genomics and Prediction in Infection and Evolution) group at SFU is seeking applicants for dedicated MAGPIE Studentships, situated in the MSc and PhD programs in mathematics at SFU. We are establishing a cohort of graduate students who will work and learn together, gain state-of-the-art training in the methods and interdisciplinary research skills in the group, and develop their own research paths. Students will join a vibrant and diverse research group with interests in genomic epidemiology, mathematical models in evolution, phylodynamics, and infectious disease modelling.

Our research interests range from fundamental questions about how and why pathogens evolve the way they do to applied work in collaboration with public health institutions on topics like COVID-19 transmission and the analysis of viral and bacterial genomes. Our research inspires new mathematical methods and tools, and new ways to analyze and interpret genomic data. We use these new methods to generate insights into how pathogens evolve and spread, in addition to more fundamental research on evolution.

YOUR TRAINING AND YOUR FUTURE
Our graduate students will receive practical and theoretical training in infectious disease modelling, evolution, genomic epidemiology, and data science for infectious disease. They will have the opportunity to participate in a range of research projects and to work with our collaborating organizations in academia and public health, including the newly-formed Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics and Society (pipps.ca). They will be able to attend national and international conferences, workshops and hackathons, develop their own research programs and make connections outside academia.

FUNDING
MAGPIE Studentship recipients will receive competitive graduate funding, anticipated to be in the range of $35-45K annually, including a reduced teaching load, as well as expectations of substantial research contributions.

APPLICANTS
Applicants should have strong undergraduate backgrounds in mathematics or related subjects, experience with programming, interest in infectious disease and evolution, and a commitment to their own intellectual curiosity and how it can lead to an impact on our world.

INFORMATION
For more information, please see the MAGPIE website at www.sfu.ca/magpie, and email ccolijn@sfu.ca.

APPLY TO SFU MATHEMATICS GRAD SCHOOL
To apply, visit www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply.html. Please mention the MAGPIE group and this cohort opportunity in your application.

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
Simon Fraser University, based in Metro Vancouver, Canada, is consistently ranked as Canada’s top comprehensive university.
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