Implementing AI‑Enabled Wearable Technologies for Symptom Prediction in Parkinson’s Disease: A PD‑LIFE Project

Summary

Applications are invited by Ulster University for a PhD in Parkinson’s disease research as part of a cohort of nine linked PhD studentship positions across Ireland in the exciting PD-LIFE project.

PD-LIFE is an all-island emerging hub of excellence that unites researchers, clinicians, people with Parkinson’s, and advocacy partners to transform the understanding and care of Parkinson’s disease (PD) across Ireland.

Focusing on stigma, gender and culture, mental health, physical activity, and wearable technology, the consortium projects will generate integrated, person-centred evidence to improve quality of life and support innovative interventions, foster cross-border collaboration, and train and mentor the next generation of Parkinson’s research leaders.

PD-LIFE is a consortium across 5 universities in Ireland (Ulster University and the 4 others) and students will receive supervision from an interdisciplinary team across 2 or more universities (QUB, Tyndall Institute, University of Limerick).

Students will receive extensive training in PD from the consortium’s clinical and research experts, and will gain transversal skills in relevant digital tools; research inclusion, accessibility, and methodology considerations; and participatory and interdisciplinary research approaches.

Students will receive mentorship from the wider group, with opportunities for networking and presentation to the wider group (more than 40 researchers, clinicians, PD advocacy groups and our PPI panel).

Students are expected to spend one year outside their base university in later years of studentship and to undertake any required additional training in research integrity, GDPR, and Good Clinical Practice required for the project or the hosting universities.

This full-time 3 year PhD studentship focuses on the use of technology to assess symptoms of PD and for PD prediction. The key aim of this PhD is to develop and validate AI systems to predict, classify, and personalise symptom monitoring and support.

Responsibilities will include:

• Assessing the accuracy and reliability of relevant off-the-shelf wearable sensors and their suitability to measure PD symptoms.
• Collect, process, and integrate multimodal data (movement, heart rate, galvanic skin response, activity logs) from wearable sensors used by participants in exercise and dance interventions.
• Build and evaluate AI / machine learning models using labelled, collected multimodal data to classify motor and non-motor symptoms, identify digital biomarkers, evaluate and predict symptom progression.
• Develop AI-informed systems that deliver personalised prompts or feedback to support motivation and adherence to physical activity.
• Conduct participatory evaluation of usability and acceptability with people with PD, caregivers, and clinicians.

Progression through the PhD programme is subject to satisfactory output of scientific results and publications.

The student’s doctoral fees are paid by the project, with additional travel and research costs provided, including a laptop or similar.

Skills required of the Applicant:

• A minimum qualification of a 2.1 honours BSc or MSc in Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence or related discipline.
• Experience of working with sensors.
• Strong interest in carrying out innovative research in a health context.
• The successful candidate will be highly analytical and motivated with good interpersonal and organisational skills and will be self-managed and achievement oriented.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• North South Research Programme (NSRP), funded through the Shared Island Fund

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,805 per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.