PhD studentship
Division of Surgery
Department of Surgery and Cancer
The Division of Surgery at Imperial College London is offering one 3-year studentship.
The PhD will contribute to a substantial programme of research, already underway which explores design and technology innovation in healthcare. Through a diverse but integrated programme of research and development, we aim to close the gap between the theory and practice of using technology using both incremental and disruptive technologies.
The aim of the PhD programme is to create the “Smart Operating Suite of the Future” by:

Acquiring and utilising the plethora of perceptual information available through novel human-computer interfaces such as non-invasive Brain Computer Interface, eye-tracking and body-tracking;

Using advanced computer vision techniques and technologies such as RGB-D cameras and sensors, to capture dynamic interactions of the theatre attendants with the environment.
A successful PhD is expected to develop and test new methodologies and techniques for improving safety and several other aspects of surgical practice by:

Enhancing communication and collaboration among theatre attendants;

Introducing “perceptually-enabled” theatre automation;

Capturing operator behaviour, interactions and patterns.
The PhD student will be supervised by Dr George Mylonas and Professor Ara Darzi in the
Division of Surgery. Through the research programme at Imperial, the PhD student will benefit from strong links and involvement with the Institute for Global Health Innovation,
( www3.imperial.ac.uk/global-health-innovation ) . The student will be expected to play a full and active role in the academic life of the Department and associated research centres.
Furthermore, the successful candidate will possess a 2:1 undergraduate degree and MSc or equivalent qualification in computer science and mechatronics related disciplines. Excellent
C/C++ programming skills are required. Experience with advanced computer vision techniques as well as hands-on skills are highly desirable.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong motivation and capability to independently pursue development, execution and publication of robust research using a range of methods.
The studentship will pay UK/EU tuition fees and an annual stipend of £18,500.
If you wish to discuss the studentship informally, please contact:
Dr Karen Kerr ( k.kerr@imperial.ac.uk
) or Dr George Mylonas
( george.mylonas@imperial.ac.uk
).

All students will be registered through the Imperial Graduate School, which provides a full programme of training in research and transferable skills. Further details of the Department can be found at: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/graduateschools
You should send one hard copy, and an electronic version, of a full CV, including names of
two referees, and a letter stating why you are interested in conducting PhD research in this area to Dr Karen Kerr: k.kerr@imperial.ac.uk
.
Please note that candidates must fulfil College admissions criteria. For an informal discussion please contact our postgraduate admissions team at pgmedreg@imperial.ac.uk
.
Closing Date: 14 November 2014 Studies to commence at the earliest opportunity.