Deadline: Applications will be accepted at any time until the position is filled.

Prosthetic socket fit is critically important for lower limb amputees as the residual limb is subjected to unnatural, intensive and prolonged mechanical load. An ill-fitting socket could not only affect the outcome of the prosthetic limb but also affect tissue health of the stump. This could be particularly important for patients who also suffer from various comorbidities including diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathies etc.

This project aims is to improve general prosthetic socket fit which is underpinned by in-depth studies and understanding of biomechanical performance at the stump/socket interface. This project will be built upon existing interfacial load sensor system and stump socket simulators which have been developed within the group. The PhD student will work as part of the collaborative team with cross disciplinary expertise. The PhD student will be supervised by academics with particular expertise in biomechanical assistive technologies in the field of rehabilitation and prosthetics. Applicants with background in engineering materials and mechanical engineering will be particularly suitable. Additional experience in biomedical devices would be advantageous but not essential.

If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Dr. Liudi Jiang, Engineering Materials Research group, Email: l.jiang<στο>soton.ac.uk , Tel: +44 (0) 2380 59 8748.