PhD Studentship: Multimodal AI-based Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

DoS: Prof. Emmanuel Ifeachor, e.ifeachor@plymouth.ac.uk

2^nd Supervisor: Dr. Amir Aly, amir.aly@plymouth.ac.uk

3^rd Supervisor: Prof. Rohit Shankar, rohit.shankar@plymouth.ac.uk

4^th Supervisor: Dr. Shaymaa Al-Juboori, shaymaa.al-juboori@plymouth.ac.uk

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year EPSRC funded UDLA PhD studentship.

The studentship will start on 1^st October 2025.

Project Description

This exciting project aims to transform ADHD diagnosis by developing a multimodal Artificial Intelligence (AI) framework that addresses the significant limitations of current, subjective diagnostic practices. Although AI is emerging in ADHD research, its integration into standard clinical practices remains minimal. This project seeks to enhance diagnostic accuracy through a sophisticated integration of AI-driven insights that complement existing approaches. Some basic questions (among others) that this project will try to explore  are:

1. How can machine learning and deep learning models be tailored to various data types like neuroimaging to uncover distinct ADHD diagnostic patterns?
2. What methods can be used to analyse fMRI data to delineate active brain regions and their connections, and how can these findings be linked to ADHD behaviours and cognitive functions?
3. How can we refine AI models to handle high data dimensionality and heterogeneity and enhance decision-making transparency in clinical settings using Explainable AI (XAI) methods?
4. What are the best practices to assess the robustness of AI models against the variability in ADHD diagnostic data?

This ambitious project will allow the student to engage in a groundbreaking study at the intersection of AI, neuropsychiatry, and healthcare and gain experience in a highly collaborative environment supported by a strong supervisory team and international experts. This project is suitable for students from a broad range of disciplines, including computer science and artificial intelligence, with no specific prerequisites required.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification. Applications from both UK and overseas students are welcome.

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes full Home tuition fees, Bench fee plus a stipend of £20,780 per annum 2025/26 rate.  The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates.  The international component of the fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants.

There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

NB: The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period.

The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact: 

Professor Emmanuel Ifeachor at e.ifeachor@plymouth.ac.uk

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.

Please clearly state the name of the studentship that you are applying for on your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 28^th March 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly thereafter.

We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.

Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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