Ph.D. Studentship
Remote monitoring of sleep, respiration, and swallowing in neurodegenerative diseases
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University College Dublin
Background
Applications are invited for a 4 year, fully funded Ph.D. studentship on the topic of remote monitoring of sleep, respiration, and swallowing in neurodegenerative diseases, with the Neuromuscular Systems Group (https://www.ucd.ie/neuro/) at University College Dublin. The Ph.D. project will be supervised by Dr. Emer Doheny (https://people.ucd.ie/emer.doheny).
The aim of this project is to develop a non-invasive system and method to measure swallowing, and respiratory-swallow coordination, during sleep and wakefulness, suitable for long term remote monitoring. The PhD student will explore the capability of different sensors to detect and characterize swallowing, through experimental studies in healthy participants and in patients. Advanced signal processing techniques together with machine learning methods may be used to develop methods to detect and characterize swallowing, and to monitor aspiration risk in individuals with neurodegenerative disease, such as Parkinson’s Disease. The project will involve working with a multi-disciplinary team of experts in biomedical signals and sensors, collaborating with clinical experts in respiratory medicine and sleep, neurology and speech and language therapy. The project will commence in January 2023, or soon thereafter.
Who Should Apply
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical/Electronic/Computer or Biomedical Engineering (or a related discipline). Suitable candidates will have a strong interest in biomedical engineering, and in clinical applications of wearable sensors. Excellent analytical, computational, and communications skills are essential. Experience in biomedical signals, signal processing and machine learning are also an advantage.
Funding
The Ph.D. studentship covers tuition fees for EU applicants and a tax-free stipend of €18,000 per year. An annual allowance is provided for research consumables and for conference attendance.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter describing your experience and interest in this project (1 page max), CV, and academic transcripts before October 31st, 2022 to:
Dr. Emer Doheny
School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
University College Dublin
Belfield
Dublin 4
Ireland
Email: emer.doheny@ucd.ie