PhD Studentship: Advanced X-Ray Imaging for Healthcare and Industry

Vacancy Information

The Departments of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at UCL are inviting applications for studentships in the area of advanced x-ray imaging.

Studentships Description

These studentships are offered as part of the Advanced X-Ray Imaging Group (AXIm, https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-physics-biomedical-engineering/research/research-groups/advanced-x-ray-imaging-group-axim) activities, and in particular in association with Professor SandroOlivo’s Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies (https://raeng.org.uk/ciet). While x-rays are considered an established and possibly “old” technology, AXIm are transforming them by relying on different physical principles and creating images based on changes in x-ray phase and on the microradian angular deviations affecting most x-rays exiting from an object, which are completely undetected by conventional systems. This is redefining the way in which x-rays can be used, as it allows the detection of the tiniest differences between materials and tissues that are traditionally considered inaccessible to x-rays.

The appointed students will join an existing cohort of >10 PhD students working on the development of new imaging technology at the interface between Industry and Academia, and with close end-user involvement. The successful candidates will have full access to world-leading labs, work at the cutting-edge of imaging, fabrication and algorithmic methods, spend time in industry, and participate in experiments at high-end facilities (e.g. synchrotrons). This will enable the development of translational and interdisciplinary skills, leading to high employability by Academia, scientific institutions and Industry.

The involved academic group has an internationally leading profile and an exceptional publication record. This project will provide opportunities for high-profile publications and conference presentations, and provide a wide range of opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. The students will be trained to use and extend our modelling software in order to simulate new imaging systems and ultimately design and build them, and most importantly use them to detect previously invisible features in biomedical and industrial samples, which will also entail developing novel image analysis and reconstruction approaches.

Eligibility

Funding is available to home students only (See here for Fee Status information). This application is open-ended and will be withdrawn as soon as all available positions have been filled. The anticipated start date is this academic year (2023/24).

Person Specification

Applicants must have or expect to obtain a UK first class or 2:1 honours degree or the international equivalent in the appropriate area of physical science, as well as: experimental, mathematical and numerical skills; creative and critical thinking; excellent writing and oral communication skills; self-management and good working habits; capability to work independently and programming skills.

How to Apply

Please complete the following steps to apply:

• Make a formal application to UCL for the Research Degree Medical Physics and enter Advanced X-Ray Imaging for Healthcare and Industry (23013) under ‘Name of Award 1’.
• Send an expression of interest email to a.olivo@ucl.ac.uk, cdtadmin@ucl.ac.uk. Please use the subject title: Project Code 23013 and quote your UCL Application ID.

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