Postgraduate Studentships
Proposed Project Title: Disposable Medical Wireless Bodycentric Communications
Principal Supervisor: Dr. Gareth Conway

Project Description:

The use of wireless technology in healthcare is rapidly evolving and attracting increased interest from commercial sectors. There is a significant increase in the demand for real time monitoring of wireless sensor data, as it has the potential to significantly reduce healthcare costs. Wearable antennas suitable for medical applications must be low profile, light weight and physically compact and ideally they would conform to the surface of the body. Furthermore, there are advantages in biomedical sensors being disposable to avoid risk of cross-contamination and patient infections, thus meeting medical regulatory approval.

This research area will involve numerical electromagnetic analysis, radio frequency design, wireless channels, wearable antenna and propagation, human test-bed development, and medical sensor networks.

Objectives:

• Investigate and evaluate medical sensor device technology and define a novel research area.
• Analyse existing measurement procedures and define new measurement methodologies.
• Develop a test-bed platform for test medical sensor technology at microwave frequencies.
• Advance the area of wireless communication and sensors for medical applications.
• Disseminate research findings in leading national and international conference and journal publications.

Academic Requirements:

A minimum 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in Computer Science or Electrical and Electronic Engineering or relevant degree is required.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This 3 year PhD studentship, potentially funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), commences on 1 October 2015.

Eligibility for both fees and maintenance (£13,863 in 2014/15, 2015/16 TBC) depends on the applicants being either an ordinary UK resident or those EU residents who have lived permanently in the UK for the 3 years immediately preceding the start of the studentship. Non UK residents who hold EU residency may also apply but if successful may receive fees only.

Please note: DEL awards are available for Home and EU candidates only.

Applicants should apply electronically through the Queen’s online application portal at:
https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/

Further information available at:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/eeecs/StudyattheSchool/PhDProgrammes 

Contact details:

Supervisor Name: Dr. Gareth Conway
Tel: 028 9097 1854
QUB Address
ECIT, NI Science Pk, Queen’s Road,
Queen’s Island, BT3 9DT
Email: g.conway<στο>qub.ac.uk

Deadline for submission of applications is 28 February 2015