PhD Studentship: Development and Validation of a Bespoke Sweat Sensor to Monitor Nuanced Changes in Sweat Rate

At present, it is not possible to measure sweating over an extended period of time through a wearable system. Moreover, it is not yet clearly understood how sweating is linked to emotional responses and how sweat glands respond to different lifestyles, in particular sedentary.

The objective of this project, in collaboration with Unilever, is to design, build and validate a wearable, flexible biosensor to be used across body, with the ability to distinguish between apocrine and eccrine gland activation, to create a link to monitor the emotional response to triggers, and to build a stronger link to onset of sweating.

This is an exciting new collaborative project between our Sports Technology Institute and Unilever, and innovative and world leading company specialised in consumer goods, particularly with a strong commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge research.

You will be part of a team alongside expert supervisors: Prof. Massimiliano Zecca, chair of healthcare technology, who has over 20 years of experience in the development of sensors for healthcare applications; Stephanie Edwards and Andrew Peers.

Loughborough University has an applied research culture. In REF 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

We are a community based on mutual support and collaboration. Through our Doctoral College there are continual opportunities for building important research skills and networks among your peers and research academics.

For more information about the project, please email: Massimiliano Zecca.

How to Apply: 

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering’ and quote the advertised reference number ‘MA-2023-02584N’ in your application.

Please ensure that you submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and the minimum supporting documents. Incomplete applications after the advert closing date may not be considered.

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application. Interviews will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a first-class or upper-second-class degree in Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, with a genuine interest in Wearable Technology, Sensor Development, Biomedical Devices, and Data Science related to healthcare technologies.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the international website.

Funding Details: Fully Funded (UK only)

Additional Funding Information

The EPSRC studentship is for 4-years and provides an enhanced, tax-free stipend of £21,737 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. Some unique benefits of this iCASE studentship include an enhanced stipend, working closely with Unilever on industry-relevant challenges, building networks. Moreover, during the PhD the student will undertake several placements (for a total of a three-months during the whole period) at Port Sunlight, supervised by Steph Edwards and Andy Peers, during which time they will be able to access world-leading facilities across the Port Sunlight R&D and Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) sites.

Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is only available to those eligible for UK fees. 

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