SuS-Tex Research Cluster: Material and structural design for wearable sensing applications (Ref: WS-SuS-Tex1-ID25)

Access to healthcare is an ever-increasing global issue. Over 15% of current global population require rehabilitation care, but majority of them do not receive healthcare access.

Remote monitoring of human movements and physiological parameters is critical for future healthcare, since this can enable pivotal solutions like telerehabilitation and telemedicine that can significantly increase healthcare access. Further, such technologies can facilitate remote training and performance enhancement for athletes.

Developing accurate, low-cost, comfortable technologies for monitoring of body movements and physiological parameters is extremely challenging. Existing technologies are often bulky, expensive, need recharging, contain limited range and uncomfortable to wear.

The SuS-Tex Research Cluster will develop pioneering wearable technologies for accurate, unobtrusive, comfortable, self-powered and low-cost monitoring of body movements and physiological parameters. This brings together world-class expertise in textiles, materials, soft robotics, sports, healthcare, machine learning and AI, with globally leading industrial and academic partners. 

Your Project

This project explores a revolutionary new approach to design and fabricate wearable sensors for remote health monitoring. Specifically, it investigates the use of advanced materials and sensors design related to wearable applications, including the use of textiles and other flexible/stretchable materials, their functionalisation, sensor fabrication and characterisation, as well as theoretical modelling and numerical simulation aspects.

Your Group

This project is part of the prestigious Loughborough University Vice Chancellor’s PhD Cluster – Super-Smart Textiles (SuS-Tex) for Healthcare and Sports. The Doctoral Researcher will join a cohort of 5 Researchers belonging to the SuS-Tex cluster working on highly transdisciplinary topics in this area, and the wider wearable technologies research community at Loughborough University and beyond. The successful candidates will benefit from the world-class expertise and supervision, customised training programs, networking, outreach and career development opportunities, in addition to the standard training and development opportunities of the university. 

Loughborough University has been ranked number one in the world for sport-related subjects for six consecutive years. Your primary supervisor is based in Wolfson school, which is one of the largest engineering schools in the UK, ranked in top 100 Universities in the world for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering, and among top 10 in the UK for Mechanical Engineering. Your secondary supervisor is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering, which is ranked among top 10 in the UK for Chemical Engineering. 

You will benefit from newly established state-of-the-art Smart Textiles lab facilities and work alongside a team of senior academics and doctoral researchers. Through our Doctoral College, postgraduate courses, group activities, and continuing professional development programmes, there are continual opportunities for building important research skills and networks among your peers and research academics.

We strongly encourage applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, genders or from people with a disability. 

Applicants are also encouraged to contact the primary supervisor – Ishara Dharmasena to discuss about the project or if you have any questions.

Your Supervisors

Dr Ishara Dharmasena is a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at Wolfson School and holds a prestigious RAEng Research Fellowship, focussing full-time on research. Dr Hemaka Bandulasena is a Reader and the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering.

• Primary supervisor: Ishara Dharmasena
• Secondary supervisor: Hemaka Bandulasena

Entry requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in engineering (e.g.: mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, materials), textiles, material science, chemistry, physics or a related subject.

English language requirements

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.

Fees and funding

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in engineering (e.g.: mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, materials), textiles, material science, chemistry, physics or a related subject.

How to apply

All applications should be made online via the ‘Apply’ button’. Under ‘programme name’, select ‘Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering’and quote the reference number ‘WS-SuS-Tex1-ID25’ in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents including a CV, a personal statement, a research proposal and any examples of your written work. Incomplete applications after the advert closing date may not be considered.

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Apply now