PhD Research Studentship
School of Engineering and Built Environment
Reference Number: SEBE_2015_10
Studentship Project Title: No foot, no horse: An engineering approach to equine foot disease.
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD research studentship at Glasgow Caledonian University within
the school of Engineering and Built Environment. The studentship is for a period of three years - subject
to satisfactory progress - and provides payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate plus an annual stipend
of £14,800 [please note that students from outside the EU are required to pay the difference between the
International and EU fees, currently this would amount to £7,100 per annum which, if required, can be
deducted from the student annual stipend]. The successful candidate will carry out up to 6 hours of
academic-related work per week as part of their research training.
Research Discipline
Engineering/Veterinary Medicine
Research Theme
Public Health and Long-term conditions
Research Project Summary
Injury and disease of the foot has a significant impact on both human and equine athletes. Pain associated
with foot disease results in lost training and competition potentially ending an athletic career in either
species. Similar to humans, the horse will train for top level competition or racing with the support of
advanced medical care. Farriery, the shoeing of horses, is the most important aspect of treating foot pain in
the horse. Modern methods use a range of therapeutic shoes, including plastic shoes, orthotic-type pads and
cushion gels to improve locomotive disorders. However, selection of correct shoes and trimming techniques
has always been highly empirical. The foot conformation (shape), including that of the internal structure, is
commonly thought to be associated with lameness but there is little scientific evidence published to support
this premise. The project will investigate the use of computation engineering technique (Finite Element
Analysis (FEA)) to predict the effects of trimming, shoeing and foot conformation on the biomechanics of
the horse. In addition, FEA will be used as a predictive tool to highlight the effects of loading on the foot and
areas of future disease development. The FEA results will be used to create design rules incorporating the
critical hoof dimensions - from diagnostic images and external hoof dimensions - to predict potential
lameness. A close working relationship and input from the Glasgow University Vet School will validate the
engineering results output from the FEA by Glasgow Caledonian University. This project uniquely
combines veterinary medicine and engineering, establishing collaborations both across schools and
between universities. Thus the supervisory team has an investigator from the School of Engineering, the
School of Health and Life Sciences (both based at Glasgow Caledonian University) and also an investigator
based at the Glasgow University Vet School.
Staff Contact
Dr Esther Smith [ esther.smith@gcu.ac.uk ]
Candidate Background
The candidate should possess a relevant 1st or 2.1 honours degree. Candidates whose first language is
not English are expected to hold a current IELTS qualification (or equivalent) with an overall score of 6.5
with no element below 6.0
How to Apply
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Applicants should complete the University Research Application Form, available from
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/research/postgraduateresearchopportunities/ under “How to Apply”
Please send the form, stating the studentship project title and reference number, with a CV, copies of
academic qualifications, references, and any other required documentation to:
researchapplications@gcu.ac.uk
At GCU we are committed to promoting a flexible, accessible and inclusive working
environment. Anticipated flexible work patterns for PhD students can be discussed with the project
supervisory team at the interview stage.
The closing date for applications is 22nd May 2015
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