PhD Studentship: Early Detection and Stratification of Dementia using Transformative Non-Invasive Holistic Optical Biomarker Technology in Biofluids
4 weeks ago
PhD Supervisor: Prof Sumeet Mahajan
Supervisory Team: Professor Sumeet Mahajan, Professor Amrit Mudher, Professor Chris Kipps
Project description:
Globally, there is a growing and a huge unmet need for tools and technologies that allow rapid, affordable and accurate dementia diagnosis. Overlapping symptoms and natural changes make this challenging. In this project, we will build on the promising preliminary results with our new multi-excitation Raman spectroscopy (MX-Raman) method. We will develop the method as well as a clinically-deployable device for its implementation, on easily accessible biofluids (such as blood, nasal secretions) and test its diagnostic performance. Success will bring our new technological solution ready for clinical translation.
Our overall vision is to transform dementia diagnosis. Imagine being able to detect the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and differentiate between related neurodegenerative diseases with a simple method 20 years before manifest symptoms. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for adequate patient care planning and for the development and administration of disease-specific drugs. We have been developing a simple diagnostic test based on our innovative laser-based technique called MX-Raman. It can potentially be 10x cheaper and 10-100x faster than current tests, whilst being highly accurate at telling apart different dementias. The laser-based MX-Raman technique provides disease-and stage-specific “fingerprints” unique to the type of dementia. We have tested our novel diagnostic test on a cohort of dementia patient cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples with excellent preliminary results. We now want to develop the method further and establish it on the more easily available, less invasive biofluid samples and test on a larger population of dementia patients with a range of different diseases and at different stages. Thus, in this interdisciplinary PhD, the novel and cutting-edge technological advance will be bought close to clinical translation by both developing and validating the method as well developing a prototype device that can be potentially used in the clinic.
Enthusiasm to work in an interdisciplinary scientific environment together with chemists, physicists, biologist and clinicians and a strong interest/background in either analytical chemistry/spectroscopy, data analysis and/or device development/prototyping is highly desirable. Full support and training in all areas, including analysis and prototyping will be provided. There will be support and funding for professional development opportunities including attendance at national and international conferences.
Entry Requirements
A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).
Closing date: 31 August 2024.
Applications will be considered in the order that they are received, the position will be considered filled when a suitable candidate has been identified.
Funding: We offer a range of funding opportunities for both UK and international students, including Bursaries and Scholarships. For more information please visit PhD Scholarships | Doctoral College | University of Southampton Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
How To Apply
Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “PhD Chemistry (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Sumeet Mahajan
Applications should include:
- Research Proposal
- Curriculum Vitae
- Two reference letters
- Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date
For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk
Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis, so apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Prof Sumeet Mahajan Supervisory Team: Professor Sumeet Mahajan, Professor Amrit Mudher, Professor Chris Kipps Project description: Globally, there is a growing and a huge unmet need for tools and technologies that allow rapid, affordable and accurate dementia diagnosis. Overlapping symptoms and natural changes make this challenging. In this...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Senthil Murugan Ganapathy Supervisory Team: Prof. Senthil Murugan Ganapathy Project description Cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Cancer is associated with a very high mortality rate (50% survival at 10 years) as most cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. Recent advances have been made in early detection,...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Senthil Murugan Ganapathy Supervisory Team: Prof. Senthil Murugan Ganapathy Project description Cancer continues to be one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. Cancer is associated with a very high mortality rate (50% survival at 10 years) as most cancers are diagnosed at a late stage. Recent advances have been made in early detection,...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Prof. Otto Muskens; Alberto Politi Project Description: In this project, the student will develop new technologies for integrated quantum optical chips allowing programming and tuning of devices under different operating conditions and in particular for operation in a cryogenic environment. The ability to actively control different parts of...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Prof. Otto Muskens; Alberto Politi Project Description: In this project, the student will develop new technologies for integrated quantum optical chips allowing programming and tuning of devices under different operating conditions and in particular for operation in a cryogenic environment. The ability to actively control different parts of...
-
PhD Studentship: Quantum Meta-Optics
3 weeks ago
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeProject title: Quantum Meta-Optics Supervisory Team: Dr Bruce Ou, Prof Otto Muskens Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial...
-
PhD Studentship: Quantum Meta-Optics
1 week ago
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeProject title: Quantum Meta-Optics Supervisory Team: Dr Bruce Ou, Prof Otto Muskens Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Rand Ismaeel, Milos Nedeljkovic Project description This exciting multidisciplinary PhD project aims to develop a new class of marine sensors based on cutting-edge MID-IR silicon photonics research. The ocean, which acts as an environmental buffer by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) from human activity such as burning fossil fuels...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Rand Ismaeel, Milos Nedeljkovic Project description This exciting multidisciplinary PhD project aims to develop a new class of marine sensors based on cutting-edge MID-IR silicon photonics research. The ocean, which acts as an environmental buffer by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide (CO2) from human activity such as burning fossil fuels...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Suan Hui Pu, Liudi Jiang, Kui Yao (A*STAR IMRE, Singapore) Project description With the outstandingly large penetration depth, ultrasonic waves allow safe and non-invasive detection and imaging in deep tissue of human body with acoustic contrast. Light-induced ultrasonic wave further offers the ability in identifying the various...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Suan Hui Pu, Liudi Jiang, Kui Yao (A*STAR IMRE, Singapore) Project description With the outstandingly large penetration depth, ultrasonic waves allow safe and non-invasive detection and imaging in deep tissue of human body with acoustic contrast. Light-induced ultrasonic wave further offers the ability in identifying the various...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisors: Dr Peter Horak, Dr James Gates Supervisory Team: Dr Peter Horak, Dr James Gates Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisors: Dr Peter Horak, Dr James Gates Supervisory Team: Dr Peter Horak, Dr James Gates Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial...
-
PhD Studentship: Quantum Sensor Network
2 months ago
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Bruce Ou, Dr Alberto Politi, Prof Jize Yan Project description: The University of Southampton is expanding its PhD research in the area of Quantum Technology Engineering. In addition to the research project outlined below you will receive substantial training in scientific, technical, and commercial skills. Quantum information...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Pier Sazio, Dr Ioannis Zeimpekis Project Description: Hollow core optical fibre waveguide geometries are becoming increasingly relevant to modern telecommunications systems, an exemplar of which is the anti-resonant fibre (ARF) structure, which can guide light in the air core using a variety of cladding architectures. Intriguingly, the...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Dr Pier Sazio, Dr Ioannis Zeimpekis Project Description: Hollow core optical fibre waveguide geometries are becoming increasingly relevant to modern telecommunications systems, an exemplar of which is the anti-resonant fibre (ARF) structure, which can guide light in the air core using a variety of cladding architectures. Intriguingly, the...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Asieh Salehi Fathabadi Supervisory Team: Dr Asieh Salehi Fathabadi, Prof Pauline Leonard, Dr Vahid Yazdanpanah Project description: Are you fascinated by the convergence of computer science, and social science? Do you have a keen interest in understanding the intricate dynamics of trust in the context of AI technologies? We invite...
-
southampton University, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timePhD Supervisor: Asieh Salehi Fathabadi Supervisory Team: Dr Asieh Salehi Fathabadi, Prof Pauline Leonard, Dr Vahid Yazdanpanah Project description: Are you fascinated by the convergence of computer science, and social science? Do you have a keen interest in understanding the intricate dynamics of trust in the context of AI technologies? We invite...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Asst. Prof. Dr. Zhiwu Huang, Dr. Prof. Jonathon Hare, and Dr. Asst. Prof. Xiaohao Cai Project description As AI-generated deepfakes pose significant threats to truth and authenticity, this PhD project stands at the forefront of technological innovation and ethical responsibility. Focusing specifically on detecting deepfakes crafted using...
-
Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full timeSupervisory Team: Asst. Prof. Dr. Zhiwu Huang, Dr. Prof. Jonathon Hare, and Dr. Asst. Prof. Xiaohao Cai Project description As AI-generated deepfakes pose significant threats to truth and authenticity, this PhD project stands at the forefront of technological innovation and ethical responsibility. Focusing specifically on detecting deepfakes crafted using...
