Image-based Vascular Modelling for AI/ML and CFD in Digital Twin Assisted Surgery

About the Project

An exciting opportunity for a fully-funded 42-months PhD studentship co-funded by EPSRC is available at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. The successful candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of senior academics and will contribute to a competitive EPSRC-MRC Transformative Healthcare Technology project (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FX033686%2F1), in collaboration with colleagues from Cambridge, Imperial College, Edinburgh and industry, bringing together expertise in medical imaging, computational modelling, artificial intelligence, surgery and biomedical engineering.

Surgery is a critical treatment delivered by the NHS, with increased waiting lists for tumour resection surgeries post-COVID19 (e.g. only ~51% of diagnoses received a kidney tumour resection in 2021). To address this need, we aim to develop next-generation real-time digital twin (DT) technologies for tumour surgery.

This PhD research will focus on the development of patient-specific vascular models from medical images to drive AI/ML and CFD approaches for next-generation surgical planning and intervention. In this role, you will work towards an automated image-to-model framework, transforming clinical imaging data into high-fidelity 3D vascular geometries that underpin both data-driven (AI/ML) and physics-based (CFD) digital twins. Your work will shape how personalised surgical strategies are simulated, optimised and ultimately translated into the operating theatre. You will work closely with clinicians, AI researchers, computational modellers and biofabrication experts, and will be encouraged to lead methodological development, publish in high-impact journals, and contribute to the next generation of digital-twin-enabled surgery.

In the first instance, candidates should enquire and/or express their interest by email to Dr Kazakidi (asimina.kazakidi@strath.ac.uk) and Prof Shu (will.shu@strath.ac.uk), including their CV and academic transcripts.

Academic Requirements: Applicants should hold a high-grade undergraduate degree and/or a Master’s degree (or expect to achieve) in Engineering, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field. Candidates should demonstrate enthusiasm, motivation for learning, commitment, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

About the Department and the University

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde is internationally recognised for its excellence in education and research at the interface between engineering and the life sciences, with particular emphasis on clinically related research. It is committed to producing high-quality research output, training and knowledge transfer and much of its work is clinically driven and conducted in collaboration with clinical or industrial partners.

The Department was ranked 1st in the UK, at the 2018 Complete University Guide, for Medical Technology. It is highly research-intensive and has strong industry collaborations.

Founded in 1962, the University of Strathclyde is home to one of the oldest biomedical engineering departments in the world. It even has the earliest building dedicated to teaching and research in this field, opened in 1972 by the Wolfson Foundation.

Students are part of a thriving community of researchers dedicated to advancing the interface between engineering, science and medicine. The University of Strathclyde is led by its vision for the ‘place of useful learning’ and aims to build upon its leading technology aspiration with an important student, societal and global impact.

Funding Notes

The studentship covers the full cost of Home tuition fees plus a tax-free stipend, in line with standard stipend levels, for 42 months.

To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have settled status, or
• Have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter

References

Two references will be required as part of the application.