PhD (via MPhil) Studentship in The School of Engineering in collaboration with the THRIVE Research Centre

Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship within the School of Engineering, based at the Preston (UK) Campus. The studentship is tenable for up to 3.5 years full-time (subject to satisfactory progress). The studentship will provide an annual stipend of £17,668 for 3.5 years. Both UK/Home and EU/International Applicants may apply but Tuition Fees will only be covered at the UK/Home rate for up to 3.5 years. EU/International Applicants would be expected to pay the difference between the UK/Home fee rate and EU/International fee rate. Other Allowances include up to £5,000 per annum bench fees.

It is expected the successful applicant will commence in March 2023.

Project Title: Advanced infrared imaging with machine learning surrogate models; maternal and neonatal care case study

Project Description:

The project aims to develop new methods for analysis of infrared images. Although thermal imaging is being used in numerous areas, so far it has not lived up to its full potential, particularly in medical diagnostics. This project will address the shortcomings of infrared imaging by application of machine learning methodology to automate data analysis. This will be done through developing infrared imaging processing tools equivalent to tools available for images captured in the visible spectrum (e.g., detection, segmentation, and classification). Furthermore, it will also include material characterisation enabling automatic estimation of contact temperatures of complex scenes from infrared sensors.

Although the work will benefit number of applications, including environmental research, civil engineering, and manufacturing, the focus will be on medical diagnostics with an emphasis on maternal and neonatal care. Identification of anatomical structures and physiological alterations require complex analysis (e.g., segmentation, registration), with calibrated thermal responses providing diagnostic information. The proposed project aims to address these diagnostic challenges, leading to infrared becoming an established medical imaging modality.

The successful candidate must be self-motivated, hold Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) at 2:1 level or above in engineering, mathematics, physics, or computer science. An MSc and experience in programming and/or computer vision would be an advantage.

Applicants require an English Language level of UKVI IELTS 6.5 (no sub-score less than 6.0) (or acceptable UCLan equivalent qualification).

Further information

Informal project related enquiries about the post can be made to: Professor Bogdan Matuszewski via email: bmatuszewski1@uclan.ac.uk and Dr. Anastasia Topalidou via email atopalidou@uclan.ac.uk 

For the application form and full details go to: www.uclan.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/studentships.

Please apply online here How to apply for postgraduate research - UCLan. A research proposal is not needed when applying for studentships.

Proposed interview date: TBC

Current UCLAN research students will not be eligible to apply for this research studentship

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