Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Advancing Maternal Cardiovascular Health through Wearable Data, Signal Processing & Machine Learning (RS875)

Funding providers: EPSRC plus clinical collaborators, the University of Edinburgh and Faculty of Science and Engineering 

Subject areas: Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Mathematics or Physics (with a data analysis focus) 

Project start dates: 1 Oct 2025 or 1 Jan 2026 

Supervisors: Raoul van Loon & Hari Arora 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biomedical Engineering  

Mode of study: Full-time

Place of Study: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University 

Project Description:

The Challenge: 

Cardiovascular disease during pregnancy is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality globally. Yet, we lack the tools to continuously and accurately monitor maternal cardiovascular health, particularly outside of clinical settings. This particularly affects low and middle income countries where healthcare systems are less developed. With the rise of wearable technology and data-driven healthcare, we are on the cusp of a paradigm shift—one where maternal health can be understood, monitored, and protected through intelligent, non-invasive methods. 

The Opportunity:

This fully-funded PhD offers a unique opportunity to drive that change. 

We are seeking a talented and motivated student to join a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of biomedical engineering, clinical research, and AI-driven health monitoring. This project will explore large-scale maternal datasets—combining clinical cardiovascular assessments with wearable sensor data—to detect early signs of cardiovascular changes, adaptively model physiological patterns, and identify predictive biomarkers of maternal health. 

You will develop and apply cutting-edge techniques in: 

• Signal processing for extracting physiological biomarkers from ECG, PPG, and related sensor data 

• Machine learning and AI for predictive modelling and risk stratification 

• Computational physiology modelling to personalise and simulate maternal cardiovascular response 

• Data fusion and integration of heterogeneous datasets from wearables and hospitals 

A Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Environment:

The position is based in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Swansea University, but you will also interact closely with our national network of clinicians from across the UK. This ensures the project stays grounded in clinical need, with direct routes to translation and impact. 

You’ll have access to world-class computational facilities, real-world datasets, expert supervision across engineering and clinical science, and the vibrant interdisciplinary research community at Swansea. 

Where this PhD takes you… 

This PhD will equip you with an in-demand skillset at the intersection of AI, digital health, and biomedical innovation. You will be uniquely positioned for: 

• Academic careers in biomedical AI, maternal health, or digital healthcare 

• Roles in the medical technology and health AI industry, including R&D and data science roles in startups and major firms 

• Positions in NHS innovation, public health analytics, or international health organisations shaping maternal health policy 

As healthcare becomes increasingly personalised and data-driven, expertise in analysing physiological signals and developing clinical AI tools is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after career paths. 

Funding Duration: 3 years

UK fee applicants only:  

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)  

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Engineering closely related discipline (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.  

English Language  
IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 5.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.  

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26). 

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form:

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.  

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS875  

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)  

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:   

• the RS Code, RS875
• the scholarship title

• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank  
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank  
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes  
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf)  

3) In the section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award. 

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).  

1. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.  

1. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.  

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 

• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 

• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 

• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 

• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 

• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 

• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Raoul van Loon (r.vanloon@swansea.ac.uk)  

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.