PhD Research Studentships
EndoTheranostics Project
| Supervisor: | Kaspar ALTHOEFER |
| Apply by: | 31 July 2025 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the ERC Synergy project EndoTheranostics, which aims to transform colorectal cancer screening and treatment through the development of a novel soft robotic platform.
The project will focus on the design, development, and experimental evaluation of soft eversion robots—robots that grow from the tip like a plant—to navigate the full length of the colon and deliver diagnostic and therapeutic tools. The successful candidate will investigate advanced navigation strategies, particularly for manoeuvering through the sharp bends and variable geometries of the colon, and develop payload delivery mechanisms for transporting surgical tools to remote sites within the colon.
This work will contribute to a breakthrough system capable of:
· Minimally invasive and painless bowel preparation
· Real-time polyp detection via multimodal imaging
· Precise polyp excision using soft robotic-assisted microsurgical tools
The student will work closely with a multidisciplinary consortium spanning robotics, AI, and medicine, and have access to state-of-the-art facilities. The project will involve soft robot design, fabrication, material testing, experimental evaluation, and integration of sensing and actuation technologies.
Eligibility
· The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity MSc degree or equivalent (or an outstanding Beng) in Engineering
· Preferable
· Either control, materials or manufacturing background in MSc/Beng
· CAD
· Electronics
· Computational modeling
· Bioengineering or medical knowledge
·
· If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
· Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Funding
Funded by: Queen Mary ResearchUK students only.
home tuition fees and £21,237 stipend p.a.
Eligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Kaspar ALTHOEFER.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Mechanical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-669" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| Related website: | https://www.sems.qmul.ac.uk/staff/k.althoefer/research/ |
| Keywords: | Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Materials Science - Other, Polymers, Textiles |