AI for Proton-Acoustics for Real-Time 3D Dosimetry of Proton Therapy

About the Project

Proton therapy has emerged as a powerful cancer treatment technique due its superior tumour-targeting capabilities. Both conventional and ultra-high dose-rate proton therapies demand advanced imaging technologies to enable accurate in vivo three-dimensional dose verification and treatment delivery assessment. A promising imaging technology is proton-acoustics, relying on detecting acoustic waves generated by proton-tissue interaction for real-time in-vivo 3D proton beam imaging and dosimetry. However, proton-acoustic waves are weak, noisy and broadband. To address these challenges, this project will employ deep-learning techniques for signal denoising and 3D dose reconstruction.

The project is in close collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory and the Institute of Cancer Research, and benefits from the scientific environment and resources provided by the Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing CVSSP and the Institute for People-Centred AI at the University of Surrey.

A generous stipend is offered in addition to funding for UK-level tuition fees and research training.

We are looking for applicants with a degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Engineering. Prior experience in AI is necessary. Prior experience in tomographic imaging and medical physics would be advantageous but is not required.

The scholarship is open only to candidates that qualify to pay UK-level (home) tuition fees.

Supervisor: Dr Lucia Florescu

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in October 2026. Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr Lucia Florescu once the deadline passes.

You will have to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

Essential criteria:

• A First Class undergraduate degree or MSc with Distinction (or equivalent overseas qualification) in mathematics, computer science, physics or engineering.
• Excellent mathematical, analytic, and programming skills
• Previous experience in AI
• Previous experience in tomographic imaging would be advantageous.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Vision, Speech and Signal Processing PhD programme page. In place of a research proposal you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Funding Notes

Fully and directly funded for this project only. Stipend: £25,805 pa, UK-level fees covered and generous research training support grant.

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.