Are you interested in mathematically modelling random processes in real life? Do you want to use mathematical tools and objects from probability theory, graph theory and statistics to understand biological processes? Then have a look at our PhD opportunity within the Central England NERC Training Alliance (CENTA)! This project aims at developing a mathematical genealogy model (coalescent process, a random tree/graph) for samples from species whose reproduction methods are in-between haploid and diploid modes. The full description can be found here: https://centa.ac.uk/studentship/2026-l02-coalescent-processes-of-mixed-reproduction-systems/. For context: Many important insect and fungal species do not always produce clonally or sexually but use a mixture of these mechanisms - which means that standard models of genealogies may bias inference approaches. Such biases are problematic, as analysing genomic data to infer past evolution usually needs to be based on well-fitting genealogical models. Your job will be to develop a new genealogy model tailored to such mixed reproduction modes (likely as a tree-valued random limit process of ancestral trees in discrete reproduction models). My research group in Leicester works on a variety of questions in population genomics, with a fundamental basis in probability theory, but also touching statistics, data science and bioinformatics. You will be in touch both with mathematical and genetics research and researchers. While the project is centred on the mathematical side, the focus can be shifted according to your interests either fully towards probability theory or more into statistical, bioinformatic or genomic applications. Ideally, you have a background in applied or pure probability theory, statistics and/or theoretical evolutionary biology. Experience in programming is welcome but can also be developed during the PhD. While the CENTA program is welcoming international applications, I feel the need to highlight the following (from https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/centa-phd-studentships): International applicants must be able to demonstrate they can fund the difference between UK and Overseas fees for the duration of their study. This will amount to 18,864 per year of study. (2025/6 rates) 2026/7 rates still to be confirmed. For home students, the fees are fully waived. Interested? Then apply: https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/funded-opportunities/centa-phd-studentships (see also https://centa.ac.uk/apply/)! If you have more questions, feel free to contact me at ff95@leicester.ac.uk. The application deadline is January 7th 2026. Fabian Freund, Lecturer in Population Genomics (PhD in mathematics), School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Division Genetics and Genome Biology University of Leicester, UK "Freund, Fabian" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)