Doctoral study in Mathematics

We welcome PhD proposals in a wide range of areas, including Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Mathematics Education. For more details see our Research pages.

Many of our knowledgeable scientists are major contributors in their field.

(And search for relevant topics.)

See a selection of past and present research topics:

Applied Mathematics

• Noise-induced memory in heteroclinic networks | supervised by Claire Postlethwaite and Vivien Kirk
• Modelling cognitive functions using heteroclinic networks | supervised by Claire Postlethwaite and Vivien Kirk
• Dynamics of climate models | supervised by Anna Barry
• Manifolds of systems with multiple time scales | supervised by  Bernd Krauskopf and Hinke Osinga
• Mathematical modelling of circatidal rhythms | supervised by Claire Postlethwaite

Pure Mathematics

• Determining the symmetric genus of particular classes of groups | supervised by Marston Conder
• Computational problems in number theory and post-quantum public-key cryptography | supervised by Steven Galbraith
• The geometry of partial differential equations | supervised by Rod Gover
• Generalised inverse limits investigating open questions on inverse limits with upper semi-continuous bonding functions | supervised by Sina Greenwood
• Local-to-global phenomena in group actions on trees | supervised by Florian Lehner
• Weighted pluripotential theory and complex analytic geometry | supervised by Sione Ma’u
• Algorithms to decide isomorphism among groups | supervised by Professor Eamonn O’Brien
• (Analytic) semigroup theory, elliptic operators with applications to PDE | supervised by Tom ter Elst
• Certification of polynomial inequalities and optimisation in operator variables | supervised by Jurij Volčič
• Semiclassical and harmonic analysis | supervised by Melissa Tacy
• Study of moduli spaces and their associated invariants | supervised by Pedram Hekmati
• Understanding vertex-transitive graphs with large automorphisms groups | supervised by Gabriel Verret

Mathematics Education

• Mathematics learning and teaching in university and secondary school | Supervised by Igor' Kontorovich, Ofer Marmur, and Tanya Evans
• Creative approaches to mathematics teaching and learning | Supervised by Caroline Yoon
• Sense making of fundamental mathematics concepts and processes, with attention to digital technology | Igor' Kontorovich
• The interrelationship between the affective (emotions, attitudes, beliefs), cognitive, and social dimensions of mathematics learning | Supervised by Ofer Marmur and Tanya Evans
• Mathematicians' research and teaching practices | Supervised by Igor' Kontorovich
• The advancement of teachers’ mathematical and pedagogical knowledge | Supervised by Ofer Marmur
• Mathematical cognition | Supervised by Tanya Evans
• Theories of mathematics learning | Supervised by Igor' Kontorovich
• Mathematics assessment (including large-scale standardised assessments: PISA and TIMSS) | Supervised by Tanya Evans
• The role of gestures in mathematical thinking | Supervised by Ofer Marmur
• Stories in mathematics education | Supervised by Caroline Yoon
• Arts-based research in mathematics education | Supervised by Caroline Yoon
• Kindness and nonviolence in mathematics education | Supervised by Caroline Yoon

For more information about PhD theses and topics you may be interested in, or supervisors and their past research, please use the search function on the Libraries and Learning Services catalogue.

See our University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship page for scholarship opportunities. Or search our database for scholarships that may be available.

Please see our Doctoral students section for further information, advice and contact information.