Development of novel optical measurement tools for measurement of Vital Signs necessary to generate Standardised Clinical Early Warning Scores.

PhD Fully-Funded Studentship
Healthcare Innovation Centre
Teesside University and Cheekmate Limited

This PhD studentship opportunity is offered through the Intensive Industrial Innovation Programme (IIIP). The IIIP Programme is a collaboration between Northumbria, Durham, Newcastle and Teesside Universities, receiving up to £2,202,411 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union, ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

PhD topic: Development of novel optical measurement tools for measurement of Vital Signs necessary to generate Standardised Clinical Early Warning Scores.

• Studentship code: IIIP009
• Company name: Cheekmate Limited

Research centre: Healthcare Innovation Centre https://research.tees.ac.uk/en/organisations/healthcare-innovation-centre

This project will develop and refine a novel optical method for blood pressure measurements. This, and other optical physiological measurements will be combined into a body worn wireless device, providing a clinical early warning score for monitoring of patients within A&E and in other healthcare situations. Within the project the student will have the opportunity for carrying out research towards medical device development. The student will be based within the Healthcare Innovation Centre (HIC) at Teesside University and will work collaboratively with other stakeholders including CPI, part of the InnovateUK High Value Manufacturing (HVM) catapult, and Prof. John Girkin at Durham University. In addition to the primary optical biophysics challenge, the student will have the possibility to be involved in electronic and product design and testing, engaging with patient populations and running clinical trials.

Funding eligibility

Applications are welcome from strong UK, EU and International students. The studentship covers tuition fees at the Home/EU rate for three years and provides an annual tax-free stipend of £15,000 p.a. for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. Non-EU International students will be required to pay the difference between the Home/EU and International fee rate.

Entry requirements

A good first degree at 2.1 or above and/or MSc equivalent within preferably physics/biophysics/photonics or engineering disciplines. An interest in the development of measurement systems for healthcare applications is highly desirable. International applicants will require an English standard at IELTS 6.5 or higher.

How to apply

You must apply online http://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/research/students_prospective_c.cfm
for this opportunity. Please use the Full Time Funded PhD online application form, and select “other” when asked for funding information using code “IIIP009” to specify the funding route. Applications that do not include this code may not be considered for the funding.

Administrative enquiries: Jennifer Hudson ([Email Address Removed]), Rachel Frampton ([Email Address Removed])

Academic enquiries: Professor Zulf Ali ([Email Address Removed]) or Professor John Girkin ([Email Address Removed])

Closing Date of applications: 5pm Thursday 17 July 2019

Interviews Monday 22 July. Interviews will be held at the Teesside University Darlington Campus.

The successful applicant must be able to start week of 7 October 2019. No later start dates are available due to conditions of the funding.