Prof J Sun, Dr K Black, Dr K Huang
Applications accepted all year round
About the Project
Micro to nano scale three-dimensional (3D) bioscaffold is widely used in cell biology research and tissue engineering. Such bioscaffolds can closely resemble the architectural microenvironment of natural tissue, compared to standard two-dimensional cell culture, promote the varied levels of cell proliferation. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) is used to obtain high-resolution images of cells grown in these scaffolds, and such CLSM images are currently interpreted by qualitative visual examination. Quantitative analysis of these images can facilitate the research on 3D cell migration, and lead to deeper understandings of cell–scaffold interaction processes.
This project aims to develop an end-to-end segmentation and identification architecture of fluorescence-labeled cells or nuclei with the use of deep convolutional neural network.
It is capable of performing automated and reliable segmentation in CLSM images captured in bioscaffold cell culture, and also accurate and efficient cell identification and counting.
For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU): Please visit
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/study-with-us/admissions/entry-requirements
http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/feesscholarships.html
Requirements
The candidate should have a first class or upper second class honours degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification), in Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, if the first language is not English. This position is open to all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality.
How to Apply
Interested applicants are advised to email [Email Address Removed] the following documents for initial review and assessment (please put the project title in the subject line).
• CV
• Two reference letters with company/university letterhead
• Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
• Proof of English language proficiency (an IELTS score of 6.5 or above)
• Verified school transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
• Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
• PDF copy of Master Degree dissertation (or an equivalent writing sample) and examiners reports available
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Jie Sun (jie.sun @xjtlu.edu.cn), whose personal profile is linked below,
https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/departments/academic-departments/industrial-design/staff/jie-sun
Degree
The student will be awarded a PhD degree from the University of Liverpool (UK) upon successful completion of the program.
Funding Notes
The PhD studentship is available for three years subject to satisfactory progress by the student. The award covers tuition fees for three years (currently equivalent to RMB 80,000 per annum) and provides a monthly stipend of 5,000 RMB as a contribution to living expenses. It also provides up to RMB 16,500 to allow participation at international conferences during the period of the award. It is a condition of the award that holders of XJTLU PhD scholarships carry out 300-500 hours of teaching assistance work per year. The scholarship holder is expected to carry out the major part of his or her research at XJTLU in Suzhou, China. However, he or she is eligible for a research study visit to the University of Liverpool of up to three months, if this is required by the project.