At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop digital twins for COPD patients using innovative ventilation technologies.
- Company: Join the world-leading ICSM Research Group in collaboration with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
- Benefits: Receive a tax-free stipend of £21,805 and cover for UK tuition fees.
- Other info: Opportunity for home students with a passion for mathematical modelling in healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient care through cutting-edge research in respiratory therapy.
- Qualifications: Good 2.1 Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Computational Sciences, or Medical Sciences required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An opportunity exists to join the world-leading Interdisciplinary Collaboration in System Medicine (ICSM) Research Group to work on an industrially funded PhD project that will develop digital twins to investigate next-generation ventilation technologies in collaboration with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.
The project involves high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy, which delivers heated, humidified oxygen to patients at flow rates above 20 L/min and has become the first-line treatment for acute respiratory failure worldwide. This project will develop digital twins of patients suffering from exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are being treated with HFNC. We are collaborating with clinicians in Italy who are conducting clinical trials in this area and we will leverage their data to create digital twins of these patients, and use them to investigate potential benefits associated with:
- Using bi-level (high/low) flow rates during inspiration/expiration,
- Stratification of patients to identify sub-groups that would benefit most from different HFNC modalities, and
- Optimization of flow rates to individual patient characteristics.
Key References:
- H. Shamohammadi et al., "Airway pressures generated by high flow nasal cannula in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: A computational study", Respiratory Research, 2025.
- H. Shamohammadi et al., "Digital twins suggest a mechanistic basis for differing flow rates during high-flow nasal cannula therapy", Intensive Care Medicine Experimental, 2025.
- H. Shamohammadi et al., "Digital Twins of Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure and Sepsis Patients Suggest Potential Benefits of Bi-level High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy", Intensive Care Medicine, 2025.
Scholarship: The award will cover the UK tuition fee level, plus a tax-free stipend, currently £21,805, paid at the prevailing UKRI rate for 3.5 years of full-time study.
Eligibility: This studentship is available to home students only. The candidate should have a good 2.1 Bachelors, or Masters degree in Engineering, Computational or Physical Sciences, or Physiology/Medical Sciences. This project will suit those with a keen interest in mathematical/computational modelling and simulation applied to real-world medical challenges. Candidates must fulfil the University of Warwick entry criteria and obtain an unconditional offer before commencing enrolment. Should your application for admission be accepted, you should be aware that notification of acceptance for the PhD does not constitute an offer of financial support. Successful scholarship candidates will receive an official communication from the School of Engineering to confirm their award.
PhD Studentship: Digital Twins of COPD Patients Receiving HFNC Therapy in Coventry employer: University of Warwick
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Studentship: Digital Twins of COPD Patients Receiving HFNC Therapy in Coventry
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We think you need these skills to ace PhD Studentship: Digital Twins of COPD Patients Receiving HFNC Therapy in Coventry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show University of Warwick that you have the hands-on skills they need.
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How to prepare for a job interview at University of Warwick
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at University of Warwick. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
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