PhD Studentship: Topological data analysis for multimodal neuroimaging: MRI and NIRS biomarkers of brain change

Topological Data Analysis for Multimodal Neuroimaging:
MRI and NIRS Biomarkers of Brain Change

DoS Dr Nathan Broomhead (nathan.broomhead@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: +441752586874)
2nd Supervisor Dr Mariam Pirashvili (mariam.pirashvili@plymouth.ac.uk)
3rd Supervisor Dr Sean James Fallon (sean.fallon@plymouth.ac.uk, tel.: +441752584836)

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year EPSRC funded UDLA PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1st October 2026.

Project Description

Understanding structural and functional brain changes over time are essential for monitoring neurodegeneration and cognitive health. This project will develop new mathematical tools to analyse brain imaging data using persistent homology, a method from topological data analysis (TDA) that captures the shape and connectivity of complex data across multiple scales.

Building on recent work that applies TDA to anatomical MRI, this project will extend these approaches to functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)—a portable, low cost technique for measuring cortical activity. The project will create topological pipelines to analyse both activation patterns and functional connectivity derived from fNIRS, providing new ways of describing how they change during tasks, ageing, or disease.

A further key aim is to combine topological features from structural MRI and functional fNIRS to produce robust, interpretable biomarkers that have the potential to support early diagnosis and monitoring of conditions such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.

The student on this project will gain interdisciplinary training in mathematics, data science, and neuroimaging, working closely with collaborators at the Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC). This project is ideal for students interested in applying advanced mathematical ideas to real-world health challenges.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification. A strong mathematical background is essential for this project. Applications from both UK and overseas students are welcome.

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes full Home tuition fees, Bench fee plus a Stipend of £21,805 per annum 2026/27 rate. The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. The international component of the fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants.

There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

• The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.
• You can’t work full time while receiving a PhD stipend.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Nathan Broomhead (nathan.broomhead@plymouth.ac.uk.

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 24 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly thereafter. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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