PhD Studentship: Wearable Healthcare Sensor for Continuous Monitoring of Critical Biomarkers and Therapeutic Drugs

Supervisory Team: Prof. Xize Niu, Prof. Pete Worsley, Prof. Michael Ardern-Jones 

Project description

Wearable sensors measure various physical, chemical, and biological information in real-time and continuously and in a non-invasive or minimally invasive manner. Wearables such as smartwatches have already proved their capability for the early detection and monitoring of the progression and treatment of various diseases, such as COVID-19 and Parkinson disease, through biophysical signals. 

Next-generation wearable sensors that enable accurate and continuous measurement of biochemical markers, in addition to physical parameters, could be a transformative technology for the future diagnostics and treatment, allowing for the high-resolution and time-resolved recording of the health status of an individual, and enabling precision medicine and personalised healthcare. 

In this project, you will develop novel integrated wearable sensors using wearable microfluidics and electronics for the continuous monitoring of critical biomarkers and therapeutic drugs in body fluids. The devices will be designed and calibrated in engineering labs and then tested in clinical settings to address the challenges in skin health, with potential applications in many other areas like perioperative and intensive care. 

This multidisciplinary project will provide a variety of advanced trainings, such as 3D sprinting, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, analytical device and instrumentation. Bespoke training will be provided from Health Sciences and Dermatology Department at University Hospital Southampton in ethical application for healthy volunteers, recruitment and data collection with a number of imaging and biomarker modalities, clinical manifestations of skin pathology and current clinical assessment and management principles. 

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Professor Xize Niu, Mechatronics Research Group, Email: x.niu@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 2367. 

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). 

Closing Date: 31 August 2024. Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified. 

Funding: Funding for tuition fees and a living stipend are available on a competitive basis. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered. 

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Xize Niu. 

Applications should include:

Research Proposal

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date 

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk 

The School of Engineering is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

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