Project Outline:
In order to benefit from the use of long-term EEG monitoring in the NICU, the employment of computational methods is key to ensuring the correct information is presented to clinicians to aid in their decision making process. This project focuses on the modelling of the neonatal brain, with particular attention to the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and cortical activity. This complex system is not well understood at present and there are no suitable models that fully explain the coupling of the EEG to heart rate variability (HRV) as measured by the ECG. This work will model the nonlinear dynamic relationship between the EEG and HRV signals, in an attempt to develop some understanding of the nature and direction of the coupling. This nonlinear dynamic approach will be augmented using machine learning techniques to fill the gaps in the models, to learn the model parameters and hence to personalise the models to each patient.
School: INFANT research centre / School of Engineering
College: SEFS
Contract Type: Fixed Term Whole-Time
Job Type: Research
Salary: see advert for details
Requirements:
Applicants should have a good primary degree (First or Upper Second Class Honours) in an appropriate discipline (e.g. Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data-Science or other relevant degree).
If English is not your first language you will need to satisfy the English language requirement:
IELTS: 6.5 - with no individual section lower than 6.0
TOEFL: 90 - with minimum scores as follows: Listening - 20; Reading - 19; Speaking - 21; Writing – 20
Scholarship Details:
The PhD Scholarship is funded by Science Foundation Ireland as part of the Frontiers for the Future programme. The project titled “Model based decision support for newborn brain protection” is transdisciplinary in nature, with engineering, medical and applied mathematics contributions. This project is being carried out by the Infant Research Centre (www.infantcentre.ie). The successful candidate will be working under the supervision of Dr Gordon Lightbody and Prof Liam Marnane within the School of Engineering, and will be expected to collaborate with the project members from the Schools of Mathematical Sciences and Medicine.
The scholarship will start as soon as possible after September 1st 2021.
The scholarship funding includes a stipend of €18,500 per annum and also covers University fees of up to a maximum of €5,500 per annum and is tenable for 4 years.
The successful applicant will receive a computer for the duration of this project, with access to the advanced computing facilities and support provided within the Infant Centre. They will be provided with appropriate desk space, as well as being able to access funding to support registration and travel costs for appropriate conferences. The successful applicant will be offered the opportunity to gain teaching experience. The appointee will be provided with learning and networking opportunities to attain the highest standards of research excellence and support his/her career development.
To Apply:
Submit an electronic copy of your Curriculum Vitae along with a cover letter that clearly describes why you are interested in and are suitable for this research position. Please include the contact details of two referees. These documents should be emailed to both Prof Liam Marnane ([Email Address Removed]) and Dr Gordon Lightbody ([Email Address Removed]).
The successful scholarship awardee will then have to submit a formal application through the University applicant system where qualifications will need to be validated. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in late July/early August.
Further Information
Please contact any of the following for more information and guidance regarding the scholarship and making an application:
Prof. Liam Marnane, Deputy Director of the Infant Research Centre, School of Engineering, University College Cork Email: [Email Address Removed]
Dr. Gordon Lightbody, Infant Research Centre, School of Engineering, University College Cork Email: [Email Address Removed]
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