PhD Studentship: Computational Modelling of Intracranial Haemorrhage and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Background:

Traumatic Intracranial Haemorrhage (ICH), or brain bleeding, is a critical and life-threatening medical emergency often caused by traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from incidents such as falls or head collisions. ICH is a leading cause of disability and death, with current treatment protocols relying heavily on symptomatic observation and imaging assessments. However, patient responses to ICH can vary significantly, making it difficult for clinicians to accurately predict the progression of haemorrhage or to determine the optimal timing for surgical intervention.

Biomechanics plays a fundamental role in ICH progression. The bleeding deforms brain tissue, elevates intracranial pressure and disrupts blood flow, all of which contribute to brain injury. However, such biomechanics information has not been used in clinical practices. This PhD project seeks to address these gaps by developing advanced models that simulate the mechanical progression of ICH, improving both clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

Objectives:

The core objectives of the project include:

1. Developing and validating high-fidelity finite element models of the brain to simulate mechanical responses during ICH.
2. Correlating biomechanical factors (such as pressure and brain deformation) with patient outcomes using clinical data from large-scale databases (e.g. CENTER-TBI).
3. Employing machine learning algorithms to create fast predictive models for ICH progression, enabling real-time decision support in clinical settings.

Collaborations:

This PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with several leading institutions, including University of Sheffield Medical School, University of Cambridge, Antwerp University Hospital, Salford Royal Hospital and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. These collaborations will provide access to extensive clinical datasets and expertise in neuroimaging, emergency medicine and neurosurgery. Additional support for blood flow modelling will be provided by experts at the University of Sheffield’s INSIGNEO Institute.

The applicant:

Applications are welcome from graduates with a biomechanics, mechanical engineering, neuroimaging or computer science background. Other relevant STEM or engineering background or relevant industrial experience will be considered.

Applicants should hold or be completing a degree at a good level (2.1/1st or equivalent) in a related subject, e.g. biomechanics, mechanical engineering, computer science, and should be able to demonstrate good interpersonal and organisational skills. The project is available for an immediate start, with a latest start date of September 2025.

Funding Notes

The funding for this opportunity includes fees set for UK (Home) applicants and a tax-free stipend at the standard EPSRC rate (£19,237 in 2024/25) per year, up to 3.5 years. Due to funding restrictions, Overseas applicants will need to cover the difference in fees from their own funds which is approximately £22,884 per year. Overseas applicants must ensure they can pay the difference in fees prior to applying or sending any enquiries.  

Contact:

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the project supervisor, Dr Xiancheng Yu (xiancheng.yu@sheffield.ac.uk) to discuss your interest and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application. Email subject title: “PhD enquiry: Computational Modelling of Intracranial Haemorrhage and Traumatic Brain Injuries”

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