Academic Unit of Medical Physics
Summary
The Academic Unit of Medical Physics seeks to recruit two PhD students. A stipend equivalent to that of an EPSRC Engineering Doctorate programme, currently £14,400 per annum, will be paid. Fees will be paid at the home/EU fee rate from University Fee Scholarship. The duration of each appointment will be 42 months, commencing on 1 July 2008. Closing date for applications is 7 April 2008. The PhD students will work in the Unit, located in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.
About the project
These PhD studentships will be part of a major new programme of work that will develop new computational tools to address a series of important clinical problems in the cardiovascular sector, including heart failure, cardiac rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease and valvular and aortic disease. Developments in the project will support improved diagnosis and disease characterisation, treatment development and treatment planning. The project consortium consists of a well balanced mix of internationally-leading academic, clinical and industrial partners with primary expertise in biophysical modelling, imaging and clinical application.
About the studentships
One student will work in the development, implementation and testing of algorithms for registration of medical images under mathematical constraints associated with the physical processes. The primary target application is the personalisation of models of the aorta in health and disease. One student will work on the definition, integration and application of models associated with the performance of a left ventricular assist device. Both students will work under the supervision of Dr Rod Hose, Dr Pat Lawford and Professor David Barber, as part of a team that will also include a post-doctoral researcher. There will be significant requirement for travel for liaison with academic and industrial partners in several European countries.
Requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain this summer, a good degree (first or upper second class honours or equivalent) in mathematics, physics or engineering. Especially for the first position, a strong mathematical ability is required. Good programming and problem solving skills will be required for both positions, as will the ability to work effectively in and with a small team of researchers. The appointees will be expected to produce academic papers for publication in the peer-reviewed literature, as well as regular formal reports on project progress. Some exposure to the medical or clinical field, particularly in the context of image processing or of medical devices, would be an advantage.
Further Information
For further information please contact Dr Rod Hose (d.r.hose@sheffield.ac.uk) or Dr Pat Lawford (p.lawford@sheffield.ac.uk ).
How to Apply
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and provide references. To download the application form please visit: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/pgrform.html.
Please clearly state ‘Medicine' and the prospective supervisor in the respective boxes.
Deadline for applications: 7th April 2008
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