Fully funded PhD Studentship at Loughborough University
Deadline: 19th of February, 2023
Chronic condition known as systemic sclerosis (SSc) causes fibrosis of the skin and internal organs as a result of immune system and microcirculation malfunction. The disease’s defining feature is skin fibrosis (SF), which can be prominent on the hands and face or affect most of the body’s surface and may indicate or signal a potentially fatal visceral involvement.
In order to gain an unbiased evaluation of the skin’s condition, this study intends to concurrently evaluate the mechanical and electrical properties of the skin in a repeatable and exact manner. It is consistent with the EPSRC Healthcare Technology major challenges of Optimising illness prediction, diagnosis, and intervention, and Extending the frontiers of physical intervention. Additionally, it supports the goal of the NIHR, which is to use research to enhance the nation’s wealth and health.
Objectives:
The main purpose of the PhD is the design, development and testing of a Robotic Skin Tester to simultaneously measure the mechanical and the electrical properties of the skin for SSc in static and dynamic conditions. Specific objectives are:
- Design and development of a robotic skin tester to be used in at least 1 area of the body (finger or forearm) – Year 1; all 17 areas of the body– Year 2
- Baseline data collection on heathy subjects – Year 2
- Clinical measurements taken as secondary outcome on a phase 2 clinical study in collaboration with the Leeds Scleroderma programme – Year 3
This project will de-risk the submission of an NIHR-EPSRC proposal for the development and testing of this apparatus in clinical settings – Year 3.
Benefits:
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
- The Wolfson School’s studentship competition offers the chance for UK and International applicants who are interested in undertaking a PhD to have their full-time studies paid for.
- Applicants could receive full or partial funding for 3 years, including a tax-free stipend of £17,668 (2022/23 rate) per annum, and/or a tuition fee waiver.
- Studentships will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who have applied to advertised projects within Wolfson School with the reference ‘P1-SAM23’. Successful candidates will be notified by the end of March 2023
Application :
All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering’. Please quote reference number: P1SAM23-11 in your application.
Competition for funded entry is high so please ensure that you submit a CV and the minimum supporting documents by the advert closing date. Failure to do so will mean that your application will not be taken forward for consideration.
