Start Date: 1 October 2026 (42 month studentship)

Application Deadline: 10 April 2026

 

About the Project

 

Advances in imaging technologies have transformed our ability to observe complex biological and physical systems. However, many widely used imaging techniques remain fundamentally limited in the level of spatial detail they can capture directly. Overcoming these limitations using computational approaches represents a rapidly growing area of research with the potential to unlock new insights across the life sciences, engineering, and data science.

 

We are seeking a motivated candidate to undertake a PhD to explore novel computational strategies to enhance the effective resolution of imaging data. The research will focus on developing and validating advanced mathematical and algorithmic approaches capable of extracting additional structural information from new and existing imaging datasets.

 

The successful candidate will work at the interface of computational imaging, applied mathematics, and biomedical measurement science, developing software tools and reconstruction techniques that can extend the capabilities of widely used imaging systems. The project will involve designing and implementing advanced computational methods for analysing imaging data, testing and validating approaches using experimental datasets, and exploring the potential for these approaches to be applied across the sciences and beyond.

 

This interdisciplinary project combines elements of optics, computational modelling, image analysis, and software development, providing an excellent opportunity to contribute to emerging approaches in computational imaging.

 

Funding & Support

 

This studentship is supported through a combination of external and institutional funding.

The studentship will provide:

 

42 months of UK fees

42 months of stipend at the UKRI rates (currently £20,780 per year for 2025/6).

 

International applicants are welcome to apply, however, they must be able to demonstrate they can fund the difference between UK and overseas fees. For 2025/26 this is £18,644 per year of study. 2026/27 rates to be confirmed. Visa, NHS charges, and travel costs must be met by the student.

 

The student will work within an interdisciplinary environment across the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow in the labs of Professor Gail McConnell (www.centreforbiophotonics.com) and Dr Ralf Bauer (https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/bauerralfdr/) with training in optics, imaging, Python, image data processing and image data analysis. Further opportunities in deep learning and machine learning may also be explored.

 

Candidate Requirements

 

Applicants must hold (or be expected to achieve) a 2:1 or above in a BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, such as physics, mathematics, engineering, or strongly related subject. A strong interest in imaging and computational methods is essential.

 

How to Apply

 

Please send the following to Professor Gail McConnell (g.mcconnell@strath.ac.uk) by 10 April 2026:

1. Cover letter (no more than 1 page A4)

2. CV (no more than 2 pages)

3. Academic transcripts (if available)

4. Brief statement of research interest (no more than 2 pages)