About the Project
Institute of Ophthalmology 4-Year PhD Studentship (0.75FTE)
UCL Department / Division: UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
Duration of Studentship: 4 years, available to start from 1st October 2026
PhD Title: Towards Precision Myopia Management: Digital Biomarkers of Treatment Adherence, Environmental Exposure and Myopia Progression in Children and Young People
Supervisor(s): Prof. A. Dahlmann-Noor and Prof. J. Wolfssohn
Website: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/brain-sciences/ioo
We are delighted to offer a fully funded four-year PhD studentship (0.75 FTE) investigating why some children respond better than others to modern myopia control treatments and how wearable technologies can support personalised approaches to myopia management.
Myopia (short-sightedness) is one of the fastest growing causes of visual impairment worldwide and is increasingly recognised as a major public health challenge. Progressive myopia in childhood substantially increases the lifetime risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration and irreversible sight loss. Although treatments such as myopia control spectacle lenses and low-concentration atropine can slow myopia progression, treatment response varies considerably between children and clinicians currently have limited ability to predict who will benefit most.
Embedded within the NIHR-funded SEISMYC clinical trial, this PhD will investigate how children's objectively measured visual environment—including spectacle wear, light exposure, physical activity, near work and screen use—influences myopia progression and treatment response. Using innovative wearable technologies (BLINK Frames), detailed clinical trial data and advanced statistical modelling, the successful candidate will develop digital biomarkers and predictive models to support precision myopia management.
The student will gain experience in clinical epidemiology, longitudinal data analysis, digital health, wearable sensor technologies and clinical trials while working within one of the largest community-based childhood myopia studies undertaken in the UK. Findings from the project will inform future NHS pathways for personalised myopia management and contribute to reducing the lifelong burden of myopia-related sight loss.
The studentship is jointly supervised by Professor Annegret Dahlmann-Noor (UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital), Prof. James Wolfssohn (Aston University) together with leading experts in clinical trials, epidemiology and quantitative vision science.
Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- undertake a systematic review of environmental, behavioural and digital determinants of childhood myopia progression and treatment response
- analyse clinical trial and wearable sensor data collected within the SEISMYC study
- characterise the visual environment of UK children with myopia using objective measurements of spectacle wear, light exposure, physical activity and visual behaviour
- investigate behavioural and environmental predictors of treatment response using longitudinal statistical methods
- develop digital biomarkers and prediction models to support personalised myopia management
- collaborate with clinicians, optometrists, statisticians and data scientists across UCL, Moorfields Eye Hospital and partner organisations
- present research findings at national and international conferences
- publish findings in peer-reviewed journals
- contribute to the wider activities of the SEISMYC research programme.
Person Specification
Essential
- Registration (or eligibility for registration) as an Optometrist in the UK (or equivalent overseas qualification)
- First or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent)
- Strong interest in childhood eye disease, myopia or clinical vision research
- Demonstrated quantitative aptitude
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary research team
Desirable
- MSc, MRes or equivalent
- Experience of clinical or epidemiological research
- Experience using R, Stata or similar statistical software
- Experience of systematic reviews
- Experience working with healthcare datasets
- Publications or conference presentations
- Interest in digital health, wearable technologies or precision medicine
Commencement
The successful candidate is expected to start on the 1st of October 2026, however some flexibility with respect to the start date may be possible and can be discussed further at interview.
Funding Notes
This studentship is funded for 4 years at 0.75 FTE by the NIHR and is inclusive of UCL home or international rate tuition fees, laboratory costs and an annual salary stipend at NHS Agenda for Change Band 7.
Eligibility
The full studentship (tuition fees and salary stipend) is eligible for candidates classified as UK students (please see 'Tuition fee classification' on this page: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/tuition-fees).
Enquiries
Enquiries relating to the application process should be sent to the Research Degrees Manager at ioo.pgr@ucl.ac.uk.
Informal enquiries regarding the studentship opportunity can be made to Prof. Dahlmann-Noor at Anngret.dahlmann@ucl.ac.uk.
How to Apply
Please prepare a single PDF document in the following order:
- A covering letter outlining motivation, interest, and suitability for this project;
- CV / resume
- Contact details for two academic referees
Attach to an email with the reference SEIS1 in the subject line and send to the Research Degrees Manager at ioo.pgr@ucl.ac.uk by the deadline stated below. Any details specified in the body of email messages will not form part of the application. We ask that applicants follow these instructions carefully since deviation from them may invalidate your application.
Application deadline: 23:59 British Summer Time (BST) August 22, 2026.
Proposed interview date: We foresee shortlisting quickly upon close of applications and shall contact the shortlisted candidates directly with interview times.
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!