W.d. Armstrong Studentship PhD in Engineering and Medicine

Eustachian tube dysfunction is a common disorder of Eustachian tube opening and closing which may be associated with severe symptoms and middle ear disease. Interest in this field has increased over recent years following the introduction of balloon dilatation of the Eustachian tube as a treatment. The proposed project aims to develop biomechanical models of Eustachian tube normal function and dysfunction to better understand and use existing diagnostic tools, optimise current treatments, and help develop new treatments.

The project will be jointly supervised by Professor Sutcliffe in Engineering and Dr Tysome, Consultant ENT and Skull Base Surgeon in the School of Clinical Medicine.

Applicants should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a good 2.1 degree in a Engineering or a related subject with a mechanics and/or materials background.

The studentship, funded by W.D. Armstrong Trust Fund, is available to Home, EU and overseas students for three years.

The studentship is fully funded for Home/EU students with maintenance of 15,009 pa (tax free) and University fees at the Home/EU rate only (8,589). Recipients of the award who may be subject to overseas rate (30,813) accept the studentship on the understanding that any difference in University fees is the responsibility of the individual.

Additionally, an amount of 1000 per year, for three years is available as a research training support grant for costs relating to research and conferences, etc.

If you are interested in applying for this studentship, please email Prof. Sutcliffe, with an expression of interest, including a summary CV and a paragraph why you are interested in this project and why your academic background makes you a good candidate.

Applications will be considered as they are received until a suitable candidate is found.

Please note that any offer of funding will be conditional on securing a place as a PhD student. Candidates will need to apply separately for admission through the University’s Graduate Admissions application portal; this can be done before or after applying for this funding opportunity. Note that there is a 65 fee for PhD applications. The applicant portal can be accessed via: www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/egegpdpeg.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.