Two exciting research opportunities are available for highly qualified graduates in engineering, mathematics or physics for further studies leading to the award of the PhD degree. The successful applicants will undertake work on an EPSRC funded project dealing with the development of a novel Electrical Impedance Tomography bio-imaging system for non-invasive monitoring of neonate lung function in Intensive Care Units. The proposed system will provide a non-invasive measure of lung maturity and development, oxygen requirements and lung function, suitable for use in small, unsedated infants. This tool will be routinely used to define the nature and severity of persisting lung disease, and to identify risk factors for developing chronic lung problems.
The project is a collaboration of three universities, Middlesex University, UCL and City University, and will be carried out with the full clinical support of the Portex Anaesthesia, Intensive Therapy and Respiratory Medicine Unit at the world leading children’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London.
PhD studentship 1 (based at Middlesex University, Ref: MU/EIT1): Reconstruction algorithms. The research will involve the development of Boundary Element and Finite Element methods to improve the forward model. To improve the accuracy and speed of the solution, we will investigate multi-grid solution techniques and the use of deformable forward models to minimise artefact in the reconstructed images. The research will also develop linear and non-linear methods such as the Kalman filter-based approaches and their comparison to classical regularisation-based techniques. In addition, investigation will be made in the use of R/S parameter imaging to extend the algorithms to the multi-frequency domain and optimisation methodology in reconstructing the required image.
PhD studentship 2 (based at Middlesex University, Ref: MU/EIT2): Wearable monitoring devices. This project will involve the development of a wearable monitoring device that allows continuous or intermittent monitoring of physiologic signals is crucial for the advancement of both the diagnosis as well as treatment of neonate respiratory function. The research will involve the investigation of built in sensors to measurement the boundary profile and modelling the boundary shape. The work is particularly suited to applicants with a background in Engineering Design.
We are seeking outstanding, enthusiastic graduates, with a first or upper second class honours degree (first class honours preferred) or equivalent and/or MSc in engineering, mathematic, physics or related disciplines. Experience in numerical modelling, Matlab, or design engineering would be desirable. The studentships are available for a period of three years and will cover full student fees and subsistence expenses.
The closing date for applications is the 18th June 2007. To apply, please email a covering letter stating the vacancy reference, your expertise, experience and research interests, a copy of your CV, and the names and contact details of at least two referees, for the PhD studentships at Middlesex University to Professor Richard Bayford (e-mail: r.bayford@mdx.ac.uk).
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