PhD Studentship in Human Movement Sciences: modelling foot support in older adults for optimal balance analysis

Award Summary

100% of UK home tuition fees paid and annual living expenses of £18,622 (23/24 full award). A successful international candidate needs to fund the difference between the UK home and international fees.

Overview

Are you interested in understanding why older people fall? This is an exciting multidisciplinary project for a candidate interested in balance analysis, perturbation experiments, modelling and clinical translation. Good balance, associated with reduced falls risk, is important for older adults to achieve an active and healthy life. Tools to measure balance are essential to identify who to offer fall training. Current methods overlook the important role of our feet in stabilizing ourselves. This project will develop a perturbation measurement protocol to assess limits of the foot support area, build a foot support model to enhance current balance analyses and collect data in young and older persons to characterize decline in foot support and balance with ageing. 

This project offers the opportunity to work in a cutting-edge biomechanics laboratory at Newcastle University, learn to use force and motion capture systems, develop novel balance analysis, and present key findings at international conferences.  

The project provides an interdisciplinary and international network. You will be part of the internationally renowned Brain and Movement group (BAM ) based at the Clinical Ageing Research Unit (CARU ). You will be mentored by an experienced international member of academic staff in the Translational and Clinical Research Institute (TCRI ) and will have the opportunity to benefit from training offered within and outside Newcastle University. 

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2024

Award Duration

3-year PhD

Application Closing Date

29/02/2024

Sponsor

Newcastle University

Supervisors

Dr Lizeth H. Sloot , Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University 

Dr Annette Pantall , Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University

Eligibility Criteria

Essential: 

• At least a 2:1 honours degree or international equivalent in movement or sports sciences, biomedical engineering, or a related field. A further qualification such as an MRes is advantageous; 
• English Language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum of 5.5 in all other sub-skills). 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of movement and balance analyses and signal processing; 
• Experience with motion and force capture equipment and in performing experimental research; 
• Experience performing data and statistical analyses in e.g., R, Python or Matlab; 

How To Apply

You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal  

In ‘Course choice’ tab, put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in 'Type of Study', ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘2024’ in ‘Year of Entry’, code ‘8440F’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’. Press ‘Search’, select ‘PhD Translational and Clinical Research (FT)’, and save selection. 

Either upload a document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘TC077’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’. When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. You can also upload a covering letter and CV, please state how your interests and experience relate to the project.  

Degree transcripts/certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if completed must be uploaded.  

Contact Details: Dr Lizeth Sloot [email protected]