Machine Learning and Robotics for Advanced Medical Applications

The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (CSEE) at the University of Essex is pleased to invite applications for a fully funded PhD studentship, which includes a full home/international fee waiver and a UKRI stipend of £19,237.

Our department is, ranked 6th in the UK for Computer Science research power by the REF, with 100% of our research impact rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. This is your chance to contribute to groundbreaking research and support our EPSRC funded InTarget project. Studentships are for a period of 3 years and start from 15 January 2024.

The project

Current treatments often involve invasive methods, but recent advancements in medical robotics, such as the Da Vinci surgical robots, have advanced the field of minimally invasive procedures. The InTarget project aims to push this further by developing robotic-based systems capable of performing targeted drug delivery through intelligent magnetic field control.

As a PhD student, you will be joined to the EPSRC InTarget project, working at the Robotics for Under Millimetre Intervention (RUMI) Lab. This project focuses on developing an advanced robotic system for medical application. Our goal is to make a step change in medical robotics.

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct research in magnetic-based robotics,
• Collaborate closely with team members to achieve project objectives,
• Engage in both individual and collaborative research activities that result in internationally excellent publications.

Funding

This fully funded studentship includes:

• A full waiver for the cost of Home/international tuition fees (further fee details). 
• A standard tax-free stipend for three years equivalent to the Research Councils UK National Minimum Doctoral Stipend, currently £19,237 p/a.
• £2,500 training bursary via Proficio funding, which may be used to cover the cost of advanced skills training including conference attendance and travel.

Criteria

The successful candidate should hold a degree in mechanical, mechatronics, electrical, or robotics engineering, with interest/skills in the following areas:

• Robotics: Experience/interest in robotic systems.
• Computational Modelling: Ability to develop and analyse models in MATLAB/COMSOL.
• Machine Learning: Knowledge/interest of data-driven approaches for improving robotic modelling.

Experimental skills, particularly in working with advanced robotic arms, electromagnetic systems, and 3D printing, are highly desirable.

How to apply

You can apply for this postgraduate research opportunity online.

Please upload your CV, personal statement, and transcripts of any undergraduate or masters programmes.

Instruction to applicants

When you apply online you will be prompted to fill out several boxes in the form:

• For "Course title" please put "PhD Electronic Systems Engineering".
• For "Proposed research topic or area of research" please put the title of this studentship (Machine Learning and Robotics for Advanced Medical Applications).

Students are also encouraged to reach out directly to the PhD supervisor, Dr Ali Kafash Hoshiar, by sending their CVs to a.kafashhoshiar@essex.ac.uk.

The deadline for applications is 30 October 2024.