Doctoral scholarships

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is open to Home students only. 

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

Project contact

Dr Amy Harwood (A.Harwood@mmu.ac.uk)

Project advert

Rehabilitation services prove highly effective in managing numerous chronic conditions such as coronary artery disease, yet they remain underutilized among patients. Further, disparities in care are evident as the data indicates that women and individuals from socioeconomically deprived areas are notably less likely to attend rehabilitation, highlighting concerning inequalities within access to care.

NHS England and NHS Improvement have set an ambitious target to boost the utilization of rehabilitation, aiming for a significant increase to 60%. To achieve this goal, suggestions have been proposed, including fostering better engagement with community/primary care, leveraging digital platforms, and tailoring rehabilitation approaches to individual needs.

This studentship forms a collaboration between Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Manchester, The Strategic Clinical Network of Greater Manchester and Manchester Foundation Trust. It will look to explore and understand access and barriers to rehabilitation services and undertake a feasibility intervention of novel methods of implementation. The project will be directly involved in shaping practices and priorities in Greater Manchester over the next 5 years.  

Project aims and objectives

The objectives for the studentship are:

• What are the barriers and facilitators to rehabilitation in Greater Manchester? 
• What sociodemographic indices and deprivation measures impact and/or influence barriers to rehabilitation services and uptake? 
• What novel methods of implementation (such as digital technology) may be best utilised and provided for patients and how do we test such an intervention?

Specific requirements of the candidate

Essential

• First or upper second class BSc honours degree in a relevant degree such as sport and exercise science, nursing, psychology
• Experience of collecting or handling qualitative data such as conducting and transcribing interview
• Experience of undertaking an exercise intervention
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, specifically Microsoft Excel

Desirable

• MSc in clinical exercise physiology (or other relevant discipline)
• Evidence of engagement in research activities (such as managing a research project, publishing journal articles, conference presentations)
• Experience of using statistical and/or analytical software packages (such as SPSS, R, Tableau, Power BI)

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Amy Harwood for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete a PGR thesis proposal addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have map to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. Closing date 15 May 2024. October 2024 start.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-AH-2024-rehabilitation-services

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences. It is open to both Home and Overseas students. Please note that only Home fees will be covered - eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

Project contact

Dr Nathan Hodson (n.hodson@mmu.ac.uk) 

Project advert

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive losses in muscle size, strength and function primarily in the thigh, shoulders and arms. Dietary protein is one factor which can contribute to the maintenance of muscle size/function in various populations, however, the common dietary protein habits of individuals with BMD have not been characterized. Moreover, other populations with reduced muscle size/strength, for example sarcopenic individuals, exhibit impaired protein turnover responses to dietary protein ingestion although this is also yet to be investigated in BMD. Importantly, our group (and collaborators) have pioneered several techniques which assess indices of muscle protein turnover in a non-/minimally-invasive manner, providing us with methods that can be easily applied to clinical populations with low participant burden.

This PhD studentship will utilize these techniques in individuals with BMD to understand how their bodies utilize ingested protein for muscle protein turnover in addition to determining if muscle size, strength and function can be improved by chronic protein supplementation. The successful applicant will gain experience with working with this clinical population at our partner organization, Neuromuscular Centre, Winsford as well as undertaking in-depth analytical laboratory analyses within our own world-leading facilities and those of collaborators (University of Nottingham).

Project aims and objectives

This 4-year PhD studentship has the following aims:

1. To characterise common dietary habits of individuals with Becker Muscular Dystrophy and determine if these are associated with muscle size, strength and/or function.
2. To investigate, using non-/minimally-invasive methods, if protein turnover in response to dietary protein ingestion is impaired in individuals with Becker Muscular Dystrophy.
3. To determine if chronic protein supplementation in individuals with BMD can improve, or offset losses, in skeletal muscle size, strength and function.

Specific requirements of the candidate

In addition to the standard entry requirements for PhD programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University, applicants should have:

1. Knowledge and some experience of standard research techniques and methods to assess diet, body composition and skeletal muscle size, strength and function
2. A strong understanding of protein metabolism and an appreciation for methodologies which can be used to assess this (full training in techniques will be provided)
3. The ability to collate, interpret, analyse and present data
4. Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Furthermore, as much of the data collection for studies will occur off-campus at our collaborator site, The Neuromuscular Centre, the applicant may benefit from access to a vehicle. However, full transport costs will be provided/reimbursed.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Nathan Hodsonfor an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete a Narrative CV addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. Closing date 19 May 2024. October 2024 start.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-NH-2024-BMD

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Engineering. It is open to both Home and Overseas students. Please note that only Home fees will be covered - eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

Project contact

Professor Peter Kelly (peter.kelly@mmu.ac.uk)

Project advert

This project will focus on the production and testing of new coatings for cladding material used in nuclear fuels, that will be designed to provide increased oxidation resistance coupled with resistance to mechanical damage. The development of these coatings will contribute to enhancing the safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants, which are a key component of the UK’s low carbon energy strategy on the route to net zero.

The coatings will be produced and characterized in the Surface Engineering Laboratory at Manchester Metropolitan University, which is equipped with state-of-the-art deposition and testing facilities and also at our industrial partner’s site. The project will include industrial supervision as well as travel to attend conferences and meetings both within the UK and globally.

The appointee will be part of an experienced team of academic and industrial researchers and will be provided with all necessary training and supervision to achieve the aims of the project.

This is an exciting opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research and development into new products in the low-carbon energy sector.

Project aims and objectives

This project aims to improve the performance of fuel rod claddings through the introduction of a protective surface coating, which will be deposited using magnetron sputtering techniques.

To achieve this, we will develop novel chromium alloy coatings with improved chemical and mechanical properties, and to explore other innovative coating strategies to optimise the performance of the coatings.

Specific requirements of the candidate

The candidate will have a background in engineering or materials science and a keen interest in research. Experience of thin film deposition (PVD) and characterisation (for example SEM, EDX, XRD, wear testing) techniques will be a distinct advantage.

The candidate will need to demonstrate adaptability due to the multi-disciplinary nature of the work, and the capacity to carry out experimental work safely, and with precision.

An ability to work as part of a diverse team, meet deadlines and produce reports and presentations of a high standard to a range of audiences is essential.

Applicants will require initiative, self-motivation, good communication skills, and the ability to critically evaluate their work.

A willingness and ability to travel is an advantage, as the project may involve a short period of work at collaborating groups.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Professor Peter Kelly for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Engineering (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. Closing date: 31 May 2024. Expected start date: October 2024.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-PK-2024-Nuclear-Fuel-Rods

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is open to both Home and Overseas students. Please note that only Home fees will be covered - eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

Project contact

Dr Connah Kendrick (connah.kendrick@mmu.ac.uk)

Project advert

The management of chronic wounds poses a considerable burden on healthcare systems, with approximately 2.2 million patients currently afflicted, resulting in annual costs of £5.3 billion for the NHS to address wound care and its associated comorbidities, including amputations.

The logistical challenges of transporting vulnerable patients to and from hospitals incur additional costs and elevate the risk of infections, leading to a significant rise in patient mortalities. Addressing this complex scenario necessitates an accurate and automated computerised solution for measuring and characterising wound areas, which is currently non-existent.

This research project aims to develop an innovative digital technology solution to enhance clinicians’ confidence in monitoring wounds and facilitating remote assessment and monitoring. By enabling at-home tracking, the system aims to encourage more regular checks and prompt responses to declines in recovery, ultimately fostering early intervention. We partner with industrial partners and clinicians to help provide a real-world solution to facilitate the effective treatment of DFU.

This approach contributes to reducing healthcare costs and engenders greater trust in digital technology among end-users, thereby enhancing overall patient care- the collaborative development of this system with renowned researchers in the field of AI for wound monitoring and a chance to work with clinical and industrial partners.

Aims and objectives

The proposed research project aims to design innovative multimodal intelligent techniques to measure diabetic foot ulcers and wounds accurately. The research objectives are to:

1. Create a world-leading multi-modal digital wound repository.
2. Design an innovative 2.5D modelling tool for wound assessment.
3. Create a novel algorithm using a multimodal dataset to improve the accuracy of predicting ulcer/wound healing.

Specific requirements of the project

Successful candidates would have a strong background in Computer Science, Engineering, Maths or Physics, and preference would be given to those with a good understanding of computer vision and deep learning.

It is essential for them to have a good background knowledge of machine learning and computer programming and a proactive approach to their work.

A self-motivated, driven, and creative individual will push the bounds of existing research by our world-leading team: Yap, M.H., Kendrick, C. and Cassidy, B. eds., 2023. Diabetic Foot Ulcers Grand Challenge: Third Challenge, DFUC 2022, Held in Conjunction with MICCAI 2022, Singapore, September 22, 2022, Proceedings (Vol. 13797). Springer Nature.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Connah Kendrick (connah.kendrick@mmu.ac.uk) for an informal discussion. To apply, you must:

• Complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Computing and Digital Technologies (or download the PGR application form).
• Complete the PGR thesis proposal form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how your skills relate to the area of research and why you see this area as important and interesting.
• Applicants should ensure their submitted CV clearly demonstrates any experience and work in ML and AI

If applying online, you must upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. The closing date is 1 July 2024. The expected start date is October 2024.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-CK-2024-diabetic-foot-ulcer.