q-Differential equations for q-classical polynomials and q-Jacobi-Stirling numbers

We introduce, characterise and provide a combinatorial interpretation for the so-called $q$-Jacobi-Stirling numbers. This study is motivated by their key role in the (reciprocal) expansion of any power of a second order $q$-differential operator having the $q$-classical polynomials as eigenfunctions in terms of other even order operators, which we explicitly construct in this work. The results here obtained can be viewed as the $q$-version of those given by Everitt {\it et al.} and by the first author, whilst the combinatorics of this new set of numbers is a $q$-version of the Jacobi-Stirling numbers given by Gelineau and the second author.