PhD Studentship (DLA)
Looking at the Spark of Life: Developing Computer Vision Approaches for Integrating Bioelectronic Measurements with Microscopic Data, to Create a New Approach to Visualising Bioelectricity
Important project information
This opportunity is for students willing to undertake an MSc by Research with the potential to advance to a PhD.
Application deadline: 31st March 2026
Overview
Life is electric! Throughout our cells, the movement of ions results in a cascade of changing voltages. From early experiments with Torpedo fish, through Galvani and Volta’s pioneering work that became the foundation of modern electrophysiology, scientists have been obsessed with understanding this electrical spark of life.
Nowadays, we have a variety of tools available to measure the electrical properties of cells. In our group (the Complex Interface Team), we use microelectrode arrays. These are surfaces covered with thousands of tiny individual electrodes, each capable of monitoring voltages (or occasionally applying electric shocks…) to cells grown upon them. This is great, but really, we want to be able to see what is going on too…
The challenge
Developing robust computer-vision approaches to combining bioelectrical data derived from cells cultured on microelectrode arrays, with microscopy images of the same cells. Unlike standard biological image analysis, this problem is complicated by the presence of the electrode array, where optical effects need to be taken into account to infer meaningful biological insight.
The opportunity
This project is about how we manage, analyse and ultimately derive insights from complex datasets – in this case combining time-voltage data with microscope images. Achieving this goal means being able to run multi-modal experiments, monitoring bioelectrical signals and imaging outputs at the same time. This will not only develop our biophysical understanding of electrical signals within living cells, but also be directly applicable to high-throughput screening assays (the type of experiments used to test new drugs) – an exciting further opportunity.
How
You will be involved in the acquisition and analysis of imaging/bioelectronic datasets being produced within our team using a variety of cell model systems. Initially, you will evaluate current tooling designed to aid with biological image analysis – from existing pipeline software such as CellProfiler, machine learning tools such as Ilastik, through to deep learning approaches. At the same time you’ll explore how to co-register spatially-resolved bioelectrical data with these images and incorporate them into downstream models.
You’ll work closely with the biologists, biophysicists and bioengineers within the Complex Interface Team, to both learn about imaging requirements but also inform future iterations of our experimental approaches – feeding back how different setups aid (or hinder) downstream analysis. During this you’ll be exposed to a wide-range of bioengineering techniques and approaches and develop your understanding of bioelectronics and the broader design of biomaterials.
The team
You will be joining the Complex Interface Team, a new interdisciplinary research group led by Dr Stuart Higgins (School of Physics, Engineering and Technology), working to better understand the role of bioelectricity and its application in healthcare. The team is supported by ~£2 million in funding, providing a well-resourced environment to deliver your research.
Beyond the lab
We are committed to best practice in academia and will support your professional development. Stuart is an award-winning supervisor and holds ‘Recognised Associate Research Supervisor’ status from the UK Council for Graduate Education, reflecting his commitment to supporting the next generation of researchers. You will have the opportunity to engage in science communication and public engagement.
The Complex Interface Team is creating a new national network to unite bioelectricity and bioelectronics expertise across the UK. Through this, you will have the opportunity to present and interact with both research, industrial and clinical teams, allowing you to develop your professional skills and build a network.
You will be
... a physicist, engineer or computer scientist with a passion for coding and data analysis. This project will also give you broad contact with biology, bioelectronics, microscopy and data science. We don’t expect you to be an expect in these areas – but you’ll be comfortable with working in a highly interdisciplinary research environment and strongly-motivated to develop the technical and communication skills to work fluently across different specialist domains.
By the end of this studentship
You will have highly-desirable cell culture skillset, biotechnology expertise, a broad network, and transferable professional skillset, ideally suited for a future career in industrial biomedical roles or academia.
Want to know more? Visit the website of the Complex Interface Team to read more about our work, ethos and values.
How to Apply
This opportunity is for students willing to undertake an MSc by Research with the potential to advance to a PhD.
Applicants should apply via the University’s online application system and submit an MSc by Research application. Please read the application guidance first so that you understand the various steps in the application process.
For more information on this award please visit the Doctoral Landscape Awards (Widening Participation) pages.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team, and welcome applicants with diverse career paths and backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
Applications will be evaluated using a standardised rubric, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview via video conferencing (with the opportunity for reasonable adjustments, as required).
This is a competition-funded opportunity, so if selected at interview, you will be put forward to a further panel selection in May. If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Stuart.
Funding notes
This Doctoral Landscape Award (Widening Participation) will cover the tuition fee at the home rate (£5,238 for the 2026-27 academic year), an annual stipend at the standard research council rate (£21,805 for the 2026-27 academic year) for one year in the first instance and a further 2.5 years if you transfer to a PhD and a research training and support grant (RTSG).
The award is open to individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria: first-generation university students, those from low-income households (annual income under £26,000), students from ethnic minority backgrounds, mature students, disabled students, female, non-binary and transgender students, and care leavers. It also welcomes applicants who have been out of higher education, are currently in work, serve as carers, or come from other underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds.
The award is designed to nurture talent, provide financial support, and create inclusive pathways into doctoral study for those who may otherwise face barriers to academic progression. Please note this opportunity is open to UK students only.