Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship to work on an exciting inter-disciplinary project that aims to develop a optical coherence vibrometer for the simultaneous measurement of micromechanical vibrations at two locations within the sensory epithelium of the inner ear in response to acoustical stimulation.
It is now well established that motility of outer hair cells (OHC) within the cochlea underlies its extreme sensitivity to sound. However, the detailed mechanisms are still poorly understood due to experimental difficulties in measuring the Nano-scale vibrations within the active cochlea in vivo. To answer currently debated research questions, novel measurement methods are crucial. It is in particular desirable to be able to measure the vibrations at both ends of the OHC simultaneously in order to better understand their role in the structurally complex organ of Corti, the sensory epithelium in the cochlea. Based on an existing modular heterodyne laser-Doppler interferometer a novel device will be developed which allows such measurements. In order to reduce measurement window along the optical axis to less than 10 micrometre, the current laser will be replaced by a super-luminescent diode (SLD). A second reference beam will provide a second measurement window (“coherence gate”) at a different depth. A prior optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the sensory epithelium will enable the experimenter to adjust the two freely adjustable measurement windows to coincide with both ends of an OHC.
The envisioned device design is novel, and its challenging development will require much original research. The partnership between Dr Torsten Marquardt, an auditory researcher at the UCL Ear institute, and physicist Dr Adrien Desjardins, based at the UCL Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, will provide the required multidisciplinary supervision for such project. It offers a unique opportunity to apply recently available technology to provide answers to currently debated questions in the field of hearing research, which will potentially have a large impact on auditory rehabilitation.

This studentship provides a stipend of £18,000 pa for four years, Home/EU fees and £5,000 pa research funds and will include a MRes in Medical Technology Entrepreneurship in the first year, followed by a 3-year PhD programme which will be based in the Ear Institute.
Applicants must hold degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline, and should be able to demonstrate a strong technical knowledge and practical experience in optics, signal processing and computer programming, as well as an interest in hearing research. For application details see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slms/aco/bat/SST_IBME_DPT . If you wish to discuss any details of the project informally, please contact Torsten Marquardt (t.marquardt@ucl.ac.uk).
NB: Candidates who are not EEA nationals are eligible to apply if they meet the minimum application requirements but all non-EEA applicants must prove they have the ability to pay the difference between the home Home/EU fee and the International fee for 4 years