PhD HOPE: Automatic Detection of Seizure Onset Zone from EEG/MEG Signals in Children with MRE

Closing Date

6 Jan 2019

Salary

£14,777

Address

School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University

Duration

3 years

Many patients with epileptic seizures are proven medically resistant and respective surgery is the only remaining treatment alternative. This is performed for removing a small portion of brain tissue that is currently defined using intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG). To date, this results in a significant number of patients continuing to experience postsurgical seizures. During the last few years, high-frequency oscillations (HFOs above 80 Hz) have emerged as a new promising biomarker in pre-surgical diagnosis of epileptogenicity, while the resection of the tissue generating HFOs improves surgical outcome in patients with medically refractory epilepsy (MRE). The ultimate goal of the project is to automatically detect HFOs and localise their source of origin, by using only high-density EEG and/or MEG, which is necessary for a solid sampling and accurate localisation of HFOs on the scalp. The main outcomes of the project will be so, the gained knowledge for the mechanism of HFOs and their relation to epilepsy as a valuable tool for the clinicians who perform surgical operations, and patients who will refrain from invasive monitoring (iEEG). 

The successful candidate will contribute to the development and testing of algorithms able to automatically detect HFOs. They will be working on the boarders of biomedical engineering and human neuroscience. This is a unique opportunity, since you will have the chance to work inside a multidisciplinary project funded by the EU, and visit project partners to gain more research knowledge and experience. 

Aston University was ranked 5th out of 94 UK Higher Education Institutions for research in Allied Health Professions (REF 2014) and was ranked 1st for research environment. Additional information about research in the School can be found at http://www.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Manousos Klados: m.klados@aston.ac.uk. 
 

Financial Support:

The studentship is open to Home/EU students only and comprises of a tax-free stipend at the 2018/19 RCUK rate of £14,777 p.a. and payment of Home/EU tuition fees only. The studentship is available for three years, subject to satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year, with an anticipated registration of April 2019. 
 

Application Requirements:

? Eligible Applicants should hold at least a Bachelor (Hons.) Degree of either 1st Class/ 2.1 or MSc/MRes in a relevant subject. 

? EU Applicants will need to demonstrate adequate proficiency in English Language skills, with a minimum overall score of 93 (Internet Based) (with a minimum score in each section of: R: 18, W: 23, L: 19 and S: 19) in TOEFL or IELTS with minimum marks of 6.0 in each section and an overall band of 6.5. 

? To apply, please complete the on-line application form at: 
http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lhs/research/postgraduate-research/apply/, choosing ‘Research Full-time Neurosciences - April 2019’. (Please select this under the ‘Entry Month of All’). Please quote Reference: ‘PhD_April 2019_Klados’ on your application. 

? The Closing Date for All Applications is: Sunday 6th January 2019

Contact Details

Dr Manousos Klados: m.klados@aston.ac.uk