About the Project
Medical Research Scotland
PhD Studentship Award
This project is one of 11 four year PhD Studentships funded by Medical Research Scotland (http://www.medicalresearchscotland.org.uk) to be delivered jointly by the named University and Company. The Studentship will provide the first-class academic and commercial training needed to equip the successful candidate for a science career in an increasingly competitive market.
"Spectroscopic capsule technology for the detection of gastrointestinal bleeding" to be delivered by the University of Strathclyde [Supervisors: Dr Mario Ettore Gardini and Dr Damion Corrigan (both Department of Biomedical Engineering)] and Ovesco Endoscopy AG (http://www.ovesco.com/) [Company supervisor: Dr Sebastian Schostek].
Since the early 2000s, capsule endoscopes, miniature cameras that can be swallowed and transmit videos of the gastro-intestinal tract, have revolutionised the diagnostics of gastro-intestinal disease. Such technology is critically complex, and is therefore developed through large international collaboration.
In recent years, European scientific and technological efforts have produced a capsule sensor that is swallowed by the patient, attaches to the stomach wall, and detects dangerous bleeding through optical measurement. Yet, such technology is limited to the stomach, missing important and potentially life-threatening bleeding in other segments of the gastro-intestinal tract.
Being able to detect bleeding through the full gastro-intestinal tract can save lives. The proposed project aims to develop a highly innovative swallowable capsule sensor that can detect bleeding anywhere in the gastro-intestinal tract by using optical spectroscopy. The project addresses the design of the miniaturised capsule, which includes the detector unit, the power source, and the high-speed data link to transmit the data outside the patient.
The candidate will join the vibrant Department of Biomedical Engineering of the University of Strathclyde, under the supervision of Dr Mario Ettore Giardini and Dr Damion Corrigan. The project will proceed in close collaboration with Dr Sebastian Schostek, of Ovesco Endoscopy AG, in Germany, a leading player in the development of innovative devices for endoscopy. It is an exciting opportunity for an excellent PhD candidate to work in a high-impact medical technology within a stimulating interdisciplinary environment. The candidate, will access state-of-the-art electronic, optical and mechanical design and prototyping facilities, and will have the opportunity to develop research and transferable skills through the training programmes offered by the University of Strathclyde, and through dedicated visits at the Ovesco headquarters in Germany. He/she will have the opportunity to disseminate the activity through high-profile international conferences, publications, and networking events.
The University of Strathclyde combines academic excellence with social and economic relevance through the pursuit of excellence in research, education and knowledge exchange. The Department of Biomedical Engineering is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for education and research at the interface between engineering and the life sciences. The goal of the Department is to deliver engineering solutions to global healthcare challenges. Further information is available at the link below.
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES:
Informal enquiries should be sent by email to Dr Mario Ettore Giardini: [Email Address Removed]
APPLICATIONS:
Candidates must have obtained, or expect to obtain, a minimum 2.1 undergraduate degree, or equivalent for degrees obtained outside the UK, in a relevant engineering subject. They should be highly motivated to undertake cutting edge research in this field. Candidates with a background in electronics, photonics and/or telecommunications are encouraged to apply.
Candidates should send a full Curriculum Vitae, the contact details of 2 academic references (including email addresses) and a covering letter, explaining why they wish to carry out this project, by email to Dr Mario Ettore Gardini: [Email Address Removed].
Interviews are expected to take place approximately 2-4 weeks after the closing date for applications.
It is anticipated that the PhD Studentship will start in September 2017.
Funding Notes
PhD Studentship provides: an annual tax-free stipend of approximately £17,500; tuition fees at UK/EU rates only; consumables; and contribution to travel expenses.
Non-EU fees are not covered. Non-EU students applying for the Studentship must provide evidence by the date of interview that they are able to finance the fee top-up required to the non-EU (international) fee level.