PhD Studentship Intelligent Body Interface Systems for Prosthetic and Orthotic Rehabilitation

One fully funded, four-year PhD studentship is available in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics commencing in October 2019. This CDT in Prosthetics and Orthotics will build a world leading engineering and physical science workforce to help ensure that "no one is left behind”. Our industry partners estimate a demand for our graduates, in their sector, measured in hundreds. This CDT combines expertise from the University of Salford, Imperial College London, University of Strathclyde and the University of Southampton with more than 25 industry partners and national facilities. The host institution for this PhD will be the University of Southampton.

In the first year, the student will register and undertake a training course at the University of Salford, which includes a series of taught modules, a short project and a clinical and/or industry placement. For the first six months the student will be based at Salford after which they will move to the University of Southampton to complete PhD programme of research.

This PhD research project aims to develop intelligent body interface systems for the characterization of dynamic biomechanics at the body interfaces in prosthetics and orthotics. Devices like lower limb prostheses are reliant on a great deal of skill and expertise for effective socket fitting and adjustment. This dependence on a process which is largely unquantified and based on artisan methods creates difficulty producing consistently good outcomes. The lack of objective measures from which to assist this process is a fundamental clinical and technological barrier in the O&P field. This research sets out to address these challenges by developing "smart" interface system and associated models with a view to improving quality of lives. The student will benefit from the CDT training courses and support as well as advanced body interface research and facilities at the University of Southampton. The student will be supported by a supervisory team with multidisciplinary expertise in this field, well-equipped facilities as well as the possible opportunity to work with a world leading company in this field.

Applicants with background and/or interest in general engineering fields of e.g. mechatronics, mechanical, electrical, biomedical, or computer and communication etc. are potentially suitable. Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK 2:1 degree from an UG course.

The studentship provides for a PhD fee and a stipend set at national rates (current stipend for UK students in 2018/19 is 14,777 and is adjusted annually). In addition, students benefit from support to attend conferences, partner institutions, industry and clinical partners, including overseas visits.

The PhD studentship is available for a 1st October 2019 start. The closing date for this application will be Friday 9th August. For further information, please contact Prof. Liudi Jiang, L..Jiang@soton.ac.uk

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Prof. Liudi Jiang, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, Email: L..Jiang@soton.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 8748.

To apply please follow the link: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/engineering/postgraduate/research_degrees/apply.page