Experimental Mechanics and Biomechanics: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Medical Environments and Digital Image Correlation: Advancing Translation and Optimising Reliability (MEDICATOR) (RS837)

Funding providers: EPSRC and LaVision UK Ltd 

Project start dates:

• 1 October 2025
• 1 January 2026 

Supervisors:

• Hari Arora (Biomedical Engineering)
• Richard Johnston (Materials)
• Iain Whitaker (Medicine) 

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Biomedical Engineering 

Mode of study: Full-time 

Location: Bay Campus (predominantly)  

Project description: 
This project aims to enhance best practices in strain quantification for biomedical applications, facilitating the transition of image-based measurement methods from laboratory research to clinical practice. 

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a well-established, non-contact optical technique used to measure motion and deformation. It provides comprehensive full-field deformation data, essential for analysing complex materials, structures and model validation. The DIC community has developed guidelines to ensure robust measurements, continually advancing standards through ongoing challenges. 

In experimental mechanics, classical materials testing also benefits from a range of well-established methods. However, biomedical applications lack such a wealth of standardized protocols to address the diverse and challenging nature of heterogeneous biological materials and environments. This absence of guidelines extends to the application of DIC in biomedical contexts, limiting its potential. DIC holds significant promise for enabling non-contact measurements on delicate or sensitive structures, highlighting the need for standardized practices in this field. 

If robust and reproduceable, DIC would transform the field, from tissue scaffold design in tissue engineering evaluation to surgery. The student will focus on establishing best practice for widespread applicability, building on past skin, heart, lung, brain and biomaterials research within the Lab. This experimentally focused PhD position will fit a wide range of application interests, suitable for applicants from all engineering and scientific backgrounds. The student will develop test protocols, in this highly interdisciplinary project, by leveraging collaborations across various Swansea University facilities to use DIC in both biomechanics labs and simulated clinical environments. The Biomedical Engineering Simulation and Testing (BEST) Lab will be the primary site of work led by Dr Arora with opportunities to work with Reconstructive Surgery & Regenerative Medicine Research Centre (ReconRegen) led by Professor Iain Whitaker, Advanced Imaging of Materials Facility (AIM) led by Professor Richard Johnston and Swansea University's Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre (SUSIM).  

The BEST Lab forges a synergy of computational and experimental expertise to deliver fundamental insight, novel technologies, and translational research solutions. The BEST Lab provides a space for interdisciplinary researchers to grow ideas from concept through to manufacture, instrumentation, and testing, alongside advanced computational mechanics, machine learning, and data analytics workflows. For more information on the facilities, a virtual tour is available. The dynamic group (>20 PGR students and Research Staff) leverages expertise in both simulation and testing to deliver high-quality research outputs, as well as services and products, to meet the unique needs of our collaborators in industry. The project is supported by LaVision UK and there will be support provided through on-site training and wider opportunities to further student learning and development in image-based measurements. Therefore, there will be scope for the student to gain wider skills to work between teams in virtual testing and simulation as well as technique transfer to other biomechanical applications in the lab.  

Further support from AIM will enable deeper insight to material performance and failure through a variety of imaging techniques including micro-CT and digital volume correlation (DVC). Expertise at ReconRegen and SUSIM will facilitate knowledge transfer and application of project outputs to clinical settings. ReconRegen create novel biomaterials and host a wealth of surgical expertise. SUSIM houses a state-of-the-art simulation theatre replicating real-world environments and materials ensuring high-quality simulation testing. This broad team and facilities will provide the ideal environment for the student to test their protocols and learn application requirements.  

The student will develop novel medically bespoke protocols and toolsets for engineering measurements relevant to clinical settings. The project will be supervised by experts in DIC (Hari Arora), surgery (Iain Whitaker) and wider biomaterials imaging research at Swansea University (Richard Johnston), building on decades of research alongside DIC solution supplier (LaVision UK). 

Funding duration - 3 years 

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible 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 (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering, Physical Sciences or similar relevant science discipline. See - Country-specific Information for EU and International Candidates

English Language 
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer.  

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. RS837 

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

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

• the RS Code RS837 and 
• 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 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. 

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 Dr Hari Arora hari.arora@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.