Cardiff School of Healthcare Studies

Research Studentship Opportunities

2 PhD STUDENTSHIPS IN KNEE AND SPINAL REHABILITATION

Funded by: The Arthritis Research Campaign Biomechanics and Bioengineering Centre of Excellence
We are seeking 2 highly motivated individuals for PhD studentships.

• Sub-classification of back pain patients using biomechanics, clinical and biological parameters: factors affecting prognosis
• Classification of factors that influence successful recovery and predisposition to osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction.

The PhD studies will involve biomechanical analyses of knee or spinal function, collection of functional movement data from healthy subjects and patients. Patient groups will be those with acute and chronic low back pain or knee injury, particularly ACL deficit and post reconstruction. Studies will track recovery and identify factors that affect successful recovery and chronicity of symptoms. Methodology will include the use of functional movement analysis together with a variety of methods including imaging, clinical and patient reported measures, inflammatory biomarkers and for the knee 3D modelling to predict knee contact forces and stability. Additional measures for the spine will include spinal posture and repositioning errors. Investigations will be undertaken in collaboration with Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultants, Physiotherapists, Bio scientists and Engineers as part of a multidisciplinary research approach. The data will primarily be collected at the Research Centre for Clinical Kinaesiology, a human motion analysis laboratory based in the School of Healthcare Studies.

This project is part of the recently funded Arthritis Research Campaign Biomechanics and BioEngineeing Centre of Excellence that will be launched officially in October 2009. The overall initiative has attracted £2.5M from the ARC and £7.5M from Cardiff University.

Discipline Hopping: 

Opportunities exist to work across academic disciplines such as Bioscience, Engineering and in Physiotherapy, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology settings.

Requirements: 

Upper Second Class Honours Degree or above, or equivalent, in physiotherapy or related field such as movement science, excellent communication skills, and an enthusiastic approach to working with patients. An MSc in a relevant area is preferable.

Eligibility: 

The full studentship (fees and stipend) is available to UK or EU students only. The total stipend will be £13,290 per annum (2009) and tax free. Applications from other candidates with their own sources of funding are welcomed

Electronic applications:

Deadline:22nd May 2009

Further information: