Bionic Vision

About the Project

This PhD is an opportunity to take part in research into advanced neuroprosthetic solutions to bringing sight back to the blind (i.e. bionic vision). The Newcastle Visual Prosthesis project is developing a special brain implant which works in tandem with gene therapy to stimulate the visual cortex and thus bypass the broken elements of the visual system in various blinding disorders.

Our implant combines photonics, microelectronics, embedded systems, advanced implant probe design and signal processing. As such, there are opportunities for students from a variety of backgrounds to work on the following possible projects:

1. Bionic Vision microelectronics: In this project, you would develop advanced low-power mixed-signal (analog + digital) circuitry on CMOS chips which will drive our custom implants
2. Bionic Vision implantable probes: In this project, you will use advanced microfabrication (cleanroom) techniques to combine electronics, photonics, and biocompatible brain probes.
3. Bionic Vision Embedded Sytems: Here, you would combine advanced microcontrollers, power and data transmission systems to create a subcutaneous control unit for bionic vision.
4. Bionic Vision Biophysics: Here, you will explore the basic biophysics/neuroscience issues that have been a barrier to bionic vision to date, then develop advanced methods to talk to the brain.

Our ultimate aim is to utilise this technology to restore sight to those blinded by diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma. Many groups have tried this to date with disappointing results. However, we believe that with a sufficiently advanced brain interface, we can restore sight sufficiently to allow blind people to navigate and find key objects and people.

The work would be carried out in our exciting neuroprosthesis lab with an interdisciplinary team of post-doctoral staff and PhD students. We have a vibrant research culture with regular meetings and debates. We are also friendly and welcoming of people from many diverse backgrounds. The lab is also part of the wider Newcastle University Centre of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering.

The prerequisite would be a 1st class or perhaps an upper second-class first degree with an excellent final year project or a merit/distinction on an MSc program. Background degrees can be in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering or Physics. However, we also consider people from other fields of engineering or related physical sciences.

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.