PhD Studentship: Correlative imaging for fracture prediction in the military

2 months ago


Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

Project title: Correlative imaging for fracture prediction in the military

Supervisory Team: Claire Clarkin, Nicholas Fuggle, Jemma Kerns (University of Lancaster),

Project description:

Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological systems to provide a diverse and interconnected cohort training environment. As well as carrying out research training in a world-leading research group, membership of CISDnS will provide the opportunity for you to be exposed and trained to handle the interdisciplinary challenges faced in the real-world via a Systems Thinking approach. You will learn about the wider challenges of research and innovation within the Defence & Security sector from both your peers and industry partners.

Research project: Hormonal contraceptive use is common in the military and low endogenous oestradiol caused by hormonal contraceptives in women could negatively impact bone structure, adaptation to exercise, and stress fracture risk. The effect of these contraceptives not only on the skeletal composition but also on the cellular function are poorly characterised. With the increasing prevalence of predictive modelling, there is an opportunity to develop comprehensive models that can integrate hormonal profiles, physical training regimens, and skeletal health data to better understand and predict the impact of hormonal contraceptive use on bone physiology and stress fracture risk in female soldiers.

This PhD studentship offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the impact of arduous exercise and contraceptive use on bone health. The gathered data will be used to develop predictive models of fracture risk for both men and women undergoing military training. Additionally, these proof-of-concept models hold potential for broader application, aiding in the assessment of fracture risk across various non-military populations.

This project offers a unique interdisciplinary programme at the life science, biomedical science, and computer science interface based the Faculty of the Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Southampton. The ideal candidate will have biomedical (imaging) experience, experience with tissue culture techniques, intermediate programming ability and some knowledge of the applications of machine learning models.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Closing date: 31st 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: Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities. A number of studentships are available and will be awarded on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early for the best opportunity to be considered.

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study ).

Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select "Integrated PhD in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence and Security ", In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Claire Clarkin

Applications should include:

Curriculum Vitae

Two reference letters

Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-

Full-time studentships will cover UK course fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £23,500 per year for 4 years along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities



  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Claire Clarkin, Nicholas Fuggle, Jemma Kerns (University of Lancaster),Project description:Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological...

  • PhD Studentship

    3 months ago


    Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Benjamin CameronProject descriptionThis PhD is focussed on a new theoretical/computational method to measure material properties in places where they are really difficult to measure: e.g. in a shock wave, in a shear band, or at a crack tip. These are all of critical importance in many engineering problems such as car crashes, manufacturing...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    PhD Supervisor: Thomas BlumensathSupervisory Team: Thomas Blumensath (ISVR), Daniel Clark (ECS), Mark Mavrogordato (Engineering)Project descriptionX-ray computed tomography uses X-ray radiation to generate three dimensional images of an object's external and internal structure. The method is not only used for medical diagnostics but is also increasingly used...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Nicholas Evans, Jeremy Webb, Janos Kanczler, Eleanor Stride, Dario Carugo (University of Oxford)PhD Supervisor: Nicholas EvansProject description:Bone disease has a cost to the UK economy of £5 billion/year. Surgeons attempt to repair bones and joints by conducting invasive surgery, including for example the implantation of prosthetics....


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Project title: Challenging Deepfake Voices Supervisory Team: Dr. Jennifer Williams (primary), Prof Richard Guest (secondary)Project description:Fake and synthetic media are becoming a well-known issue in society, from AI regulation and AI safety to protecting democracy from election interference. This exciting PhD project investigates two technical aspects...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Thomas Blumensath (ISVR), Alex Dickinson (Engineering Sciences) Project descriptionThree dimensional images of the foot taken under loading conditions can provide a valuable clinical tool for the assessment of bone alignment related complaints. However, as these images have to be taken whilst a person is standing, specialised scanners are...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Dr Gustavo de Almeida; Dr Sergio MaldonadoProject description:Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position on the investigation of novel design methods to improve the resilience of submerged infrastructure (i.e. bridge piers, wind turbines) subject to hydrodynamic action (e.g. currents and waves).Many critical submerged...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Professor Gill Reid & Dr Richard Knoghton Project Description:Developing new chelate scaffolds for binding radiofluorine and radiometals – towards combined theragnostic agents for imaging and therapy in medicine Applications are invited from suitably qualified and motivated candidates for an EPSRC CASE PhD studentship based in Chemistry...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: David AnglandProject description:A PhD studentship is now available in the area of aircraft aerodynamics and aeroacoustics (aerodynamically generated noise). The studentship provides a unique opportunity to work on a relevant engineering problem at the Airbus Noise Technology Centre (ANTC), part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Dr Seung Lee (School of Chemistry), Prof. Jeremy Webb (School of Biological Sciences and National Biofilms Innovation Centre), Prof. Paul Stoodley (University of Southampton), Dr Rob Howlin (Haleon, industry), Dr David Bradshaw and Dr Ricarda Hawkins (Haleon, industry) Project Description:A fully-funded 4 year National Biofilms Innovation...

  • PhD Studentship

    3 months ago


    Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory team: Dr. Michal Kalkowski, Dr. Thomas BlumensathProject descriptionExplore the space where physics-based modelling and artificial intelligence meet We seek applicants for a fully-funded 3.5-year research on developing new methods for ultrasonic non-destructive characterisation of complex materials.We invite you to join the Dynamics Group within...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    PhD Supervisor: Dr Seung Lee Supervisory Team: Dr Seung Lee (School of Chemistry), Prof. Jeremy Webb (School of Biological Sciences and national Biofilms Innovation Centre), Prof. Paul Stoodley (University of Southampton and Ohio State University)Project description:A fully-funded 4 year PhD studentship (Institute for Life Sciences studentship) for research...

  • PhD Studentship

    3 months ago


    Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Ioannis ZeimpekisProject description:Enabling integrated and free space photonics with advanced reprogrammable materials.The current increase in data generation is expected to reach unsustainable rates by the end of the decade. This has a strong impact on the environment and therefore new solutions are sought after. In addition, specific...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    PhD Supervisor: Prof Thomas BlumensathSupervisory Team: Prof Thomas BlumensathProject 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.This project...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Bursary: The studentship includes a stipend and tuition fees.Annual Stipend: £19,237Applications are invited from highly motivated graduates wishing to pursue cutting-edge research in the areas covered by our Property, People and Community research centre. We are keen to foster the property scholars of the next generation and are interested in research...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Professor David Thompson, Dr Wenjing Sun Project Description:An exciting PhD opportunity is available at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton in conjunction with Alstom on the control of noise from railway slab track.Railways are an environmentally friendly means of transport that have seen a resurgence...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Jonathan GeorgePhD Supervisor: Jonathan GeorgeProject description:The School of Chemistry is offering a fully funded PhD studentship to a highly motivated candidate to start in September 2024. The student will carry out their doctoral research in the George Group, which has recently moved to the University of Southampton.BackgroundThe use...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Dr. Andrea Da Ronch Project descriptionAre you excited to develop innovative solutions to revolutionize the design, analysis, and optimization of aircraft? Do you want to work in an environment that encourages you to guide your own career through exposure to a diverse set of novel, open-ended problems, and multidisciplinary teams? If so,...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory team: Ralf Deiterding, Charlie RyanProject description:The rotating detonation engine (RDE) has emerged as a feasible design to employ pressure-gain combustion in a highly compact and energy-dense rocket engine. Funded by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), a PhD opportunity is available to work on understanding the detailed loss mechanisms affecting the...


  • Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom University of Southampton Full time

    Supervisory Team: Philippa ReedPhD Supervisor: Philippa ReedProject description:Ti fan blades contain complex two phase microstructures that exhibit quite strong textures (where grains show significant alignment). This can affect the process of initiation (via slip band formation) and how these slip bands interact to produce crack propagation. Different Ti...