PhD Studentship: Fully funded PhD scholarship in Next Generation of Optical Neuroimaging

Duration of study: Full time - 4 years fixed term (1y MRes + 3y PhD)

Starting date: September 2024

Primary Supervisor: Prof. Ilias Tachtsidis, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London (UCL)

Eligibility: This scholarship is only available to home students who meet UK residency requirements.

Project Description:

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (or fNIRS) is an optical neuroimaging technique that uses NIR light to image the cortical brain changes of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin concentrations (HbO₂, HHb). This allows us to identify brain neuronal activations areas by observing and quantifying the changes in the haemodynamics HbO₂, HHb concentrations due to the increases in brain blood flow, secondary to neuronal activity (a process known as neurovascular coupling). fNIRS is currently a well-established neuroimaging method for infant and adult neurosciences [see Pinti P. et al Ann N.Y.Acad.Sci. 2020]. However significant technological (hardware) and computational (software\analytics) improvements are required to allow better brain cortical sensitivity, improved brain imaging reconstruction for functional areas identification, and enhanced understanding of the physiological mechanisms of brain body physiology interaction.

This PhD project offers a unique chance to engage with cutting-edge optical neuroimaging technology. An added opportunity comes from our close partnership with Shimadzu, a Japanese company specialising in the commercialisation of optical neuroimaging instruments, who are co-sponsoring this scholarship; and the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL with expertise in applications of optical neuroimaging. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to interact closely with both academic and industry experts, covering an expansive range of subjects from device design, as well as system and algorithmic developments. The research scope is comprehensive, encompassing optical instrumentation and algorithm development, to instrumentation testing beyond the stage of proof-of-principle by using it in human centric studies such as neuromarketing and sports sciences.

The training and research programme:

The successful candidate will join the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training programme in Photonic and Electronic Systems programme (PES CDT). Further information on the PES CDT can be found here: https://www.pes-cdt.org/

Funding:

This is a funded 4-year studentship, co-funded by the Engineering, Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Shimadzu.

The studentship will cover the Home-student's tuition fees plus a £21,181/year stipend for living costs increasing with inflation, as well as a top-up contribution towards travel and consumables.

More details about the stipend and fees can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/research-innovation-services/award-services/research-studentships/studentship-budgets.

Qualifications required:

The candidate should meet the entry requirements of MRes + PhD programme at UCL:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/connected-electronic-and-photonic-systems-mres

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/research-degrees/electronic-and-electrical-engineering-mphil-phd

Candidates should have, or expect to achieve, a minimum of an upper second-class degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline.

The ideal candidate would have experience in, and passion for, one or more of the following:

• Optical engineering, optical physics
• Understanding of neurotechnologies

How to apply:

Interested candidates should email: photonics-cdt-preapply@ee.ucl.ac.uk for the attention of Prof Ilias Tachtsidis.

Please include:

• Personal Statement.
• Relevant academic and professional qualifications. Include the name of the college/university/awarding body, qualification, grade/class/GPA and dates of study.
• List of all degree-level modules undertaken so far with marks (actual or expected marks).
• Exam transcripts (where available).
• Your UK residence status (required to establish your eligibility for EPSRC funding).

Contact:

For informal inquiries please contact Prof Ilias Tachtsidis (i.tachtsidis@ucl.ac.uk) who will be happy to answer any queries about the project.

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