PhD Studentship: Robotics and AI for Stroke Rehabilitation

This PhD will develop a connected device and individualised multi-modal rehabilitation protocol to aid the recovery of unilateral spatial neglect in adult stroke patients. Spatial neglect is an indicator of poor outcome following stroke and is a major barrier to rehabilitation. Building coherently on our scientific understanding of spatial neglect, the device will incorporate multi-modal (i.e. visual, auditory, smell, taste and touch-based) stimulation designed to improve the patient’s spatial attention.

The project will use a virtual reality headset to provide patients with visual and auditory stimuli that are patient-centred, not only taking the patient’s precise presentation into account but also integrates their interests and preferences a haptic glove system to provide touch sensations. The device will provide the opportunity for patients to receive high dose and intensity rehabilitation that is both practically and economically viable, and the approach should empowering them and their family/friends to improve their recovery, with benefits for the patients’ physical and mental health. This novel device will be designed for use at home as well as in hospital.

The successful applicants should have a first degree classified at 2:1 or 1st (or equivalent) in an engineering subject. Experience in the area of rehabilitation and an MSc in robotics or a closely related subject would be desirable but is not essential. If you are interested in this position, please contact Prof. Samia Nefti-Meziani (s.nefti-meziani@bham.ac.uk) including a CV.

Funding notes:

This funded PhD position is open to UK students and international students. UK fee payers, will receive funding which will cover all tuition fees and also provide a stipend to cover living costs during the student’s studies. International students will have their fees reduced to a total of just £8000 and there will be no stipend so students will need to cover their own living costs during their studies.

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