Project details
The healthcare industry is rapidly embracing digital technologies to deliver data-driven, personalised medicine. Digital twins—computer-based, or in silico, models that replicate physical objects or systems—provide a realistic environment for studying diseases, testing new drugs, and developing medical devices. This innovative approach accelerates life-saving advancements while significantly reducing costs.
Building on the proven success of our research group, this project aims to integrate cutting-edge multi-scale finite element models with advanced medical imaging techniques to establish a transformative paradigm in computational healthcare. The successful candidate will focus on implementing and validating these models using high-resolution in vivo tissue imaging data collected from leading bio-imaging centres.
You will be part of a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Simin Li (School of Mechanical, Electrical, and Manufacturing Engineering) and Dr. Katherine Brooke-Wavell (School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences). You will have access to world-class facilities within these schools, as well as imaging resources at the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.
The collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of this project ensures you will receive cutting-edge training, opportunities to engage with leading experts from both industrial and scientific fields, and preparation for diverse career paths in this rapidly evolving domain.
Loughborough University has an applied research culture. In REF 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We are a community based on mutual support and collaboration. Through our Doctoral College there are continual opportunities for building important research skills and networks among your peers and research academics.
The School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering has seen 100% of its research impact rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (REF, 2021).
Supervisors
Primary supervisor: Simin Li
Secondary supervisor: Katherine Brooke-Wavell
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
Students will normally need to have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) and ideally a master’s degree and/or relevant experience in a discipline with a substantial computational element, e.g. engineering, physics, mathematics or computing. Other subject backgrounds may be acceptable if you can demonstrate extremely strong analytical skills. Experience with computational models or finite element modelling is desirable.
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025-26 entry
UK fee
To be confirmed Full-time degree per annum
International fee
£28,600 Full-time degree per annum
Fees for the 2025-26 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2025.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
How to apply
Applications should be made online. Under programme name, select ‘Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering/Electronic, Electrical & Systems Engineering’ and quote the advert reference number SF-UF-SL-2024 in your application.
To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit your CV and the minimum supporting documents.
The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.
