MSc by Research: 1 year full time or 2 years part time.
Supervisor: Dr Michael Hughes
This project is an opportunity to work on a new medical imaging technology.
Your contribution could help bring high-resolution diagnostic imaging into community clinics, dental practices and healthcare settings where conventional systems are currently too expensive or impractical.
Our technology is based on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), an optical imaging techniques that has been a focus of research at Kent for many years.
We have developed an architecture which allows us to achieve high-quality images from an OCT system using only low-cost components.
Through your project you will lead on one aspect of development, answering questions such as:
- Can the optical design be simplified further without compromising image quality?
- Can machine-learning methods improve reconstruction from low-cost hardware?
- How accurately can the device image clinically relevant tissue?
- What engineering changes are needed to make the system robust outside the laboratory?
Depending on your experience and interests you might be:
- designing and carrying out experiments;
- building or modifying optical systems;
- developing original software in Python;
- collecting and analysing data;
- presenting findings to collaborators;
- contributing to publications, patents or conference presentations.
MSc Degree
Completion of the research project will lead to submission of a thesis for examination for award of the MSc degree. There are no written examinations, but research group members deliver lectures in areas of biomedical optics and medical physics which MSc students may attend, in addition to a programme of seminars by internal and external speakers.
The project does not have funding attached, students must be able to fund the fees and their living costs by applying for a suitable scholarship, see https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate, or through some another source of funds. Current information on fees is available here.
There is no deadline for the project – applicants will be assessed on a rolling basis – although please note any separate deadlines for scholarships or funding. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Michael Hughes (m.r.hughes@kent.ac.uk) for informal discussion before applying.
About the Applied Optics Group
The Applied Optics Group (AOG) is an internationally-recognised research group comprising five academic staff alongside a friendly and vibrant community of postdoctoral and postgraduate students. The group develops innovative optical imaging and sensing technologies with applications across healthcare and industry.
Housed within the Photonics Centre, the AOG benefits from facilities including ten dedicated optical laboratories, a clean-air room, electrical-mechanical workshop with 3D printing, and extensive resources for the design and prototyping of optical systems and devices. The group works closely with clinical and industrial partners to translate cutting-edge research into real-world applications, and has attracted multi-million-pound investment from UK and European funding bodies in recent years.
The AOG is part of the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus. Set within 300 acres of parkland overlooking the historic city of Canterbury, just a short walk or bus ride away, the campus offers an inspiring environment for study and research. Students benefit from excellent social and sporting amenities, and a welcoming international community, all within easy reach of London and the Kent coastline.