PhD Study : Artificial Intelligence for Smart Sensing to facilitate better health

Summary

Wearable Sensors are a category of computing devices that can be worn by a user, and used to facilitate activity and physiological based measurements.  Wearable sensors can include multiple types of sensors, such as accelerometers, GPS trackers and heart rate monitors, combined into small form factor and integrated into garments or straps that can be worn. In the past, wearable sensors were only a tool used in research labs. However, the prevalence of wearable sensors in everyday life and introduction of new technologies has dramatically increased in the last decade. Smartphone and smartwatches are widespread and equipped with multiple sensors.

Similarly, fitness trackers are popular; elite sports athletes are wearing movement trackers with new wearable sports products being released annually. This advancement of wearable sensing technologies alongside embedded systems and wireless communication technologies makes it possible to now develop smart systems to monitor activities and people’s behaviour continuously.

Continuous monitoring of activities and of behaviour has enabled the development of a number of different applications, particularly in the area of health. Data extracted from wearable and ambient sensors can be analysed to extract health measurements and/or make predictions about future health risks. For example, wearable sensors can be used to measure a person’s walking patterns and data extracted can be used to measure the likelihood that person may be frail and/or have a fall in the near future [1].

Similarly, data can be used to analyse patterns of physical activity of a person and give advice on changes in behaviour which would be beneficial to the persons health [2]. Wearable sensors are also finding increased usage in elite sports where, for example, in Rugby Union sensors are worn on the players backs to track running and collisions with the aim of reducing injury and improving performance [3]. With the increase in the number of sensors and the population percentage wearing them, the amount of available data recorded is increasing exponentially. While data is plentiful, this data is useless unless we can extract some meaning from the data.

This project will make use of this data in an intelligent way - developing smart Artificial Intelligence techniques in order to better understand and extract meaning from wearable data. The project will specifically focus on developing Artificial Intelligence techniques that can extract health-related information from raw sensor data.

Techniques used will include machine learning, signal processing and pattern recognition. The overall goal will be to develop a system that utilized wearable sensors to extract indicators of health conditions such that screening of elderly patients can be performed in remote locations.

This project presents an exciting opportunity to work with cutting edge wearable sensors and have a potential positive impact on the elderly in rural communities.

This PhD is in alignment with multiple priorities arising from the NI Programme for Government Consultation especially regarding developing and implementing new policies and strategies within future healthcare provision. It is also aligned with Ulster’s strategic research themes of Sustainability (Digital Futures/Computing).

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

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%
• For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
• Publications - peer-reviewed

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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. Further information on cost of living