Funded PhD: Simulation-based imaging – a powerful tool for improving cardiovascular patient treatment

• Principal investigator(s) Dr Nikolas Aristokleous, Dr Claire Conway
• Research theme Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine

Imagine faster, clearer MRI scans that can accurately map blood flow in the heart and blood vessels. SBI is a cutting-edge technology that combines medical imaging with advanced computer simulations to overcome the limitations of current 4D-flow MRI scans, which can be slow, noisy, and low in resolution.

By integrating blood-flow physics directly into the image reconstruction process, SBI aims to generate sharper and more detailed images while significantly reducing scan times.

This project seeks to improve the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as heart attacks, stroke, aneurysms, and congenital heart disease. It will also aim to develop a new SBI framework that combines MRI data with advanced blood-flow simulations to produce faster, higher-resolution, and more clinically useful cardiovascular imaging.

The project sits at the intersection of engineering, medicine, artificial intelligence and advanced imaging. It offers the opportunity to help create a technology that could revolutionise cardiovascular disease management by providing faster scans, clearer images, earlier diagnosis, and better treatment decisions for millions of patients worldwide.

Key objectives

• Develop a novel SBI framework that integrates blood-flow physics with MRI reconstruction.
• Create ultra-high-resolution cardiovascular flow images using computational simulations.
• Validate the technology using synthetic data, laboratory experiments, and patient imaging datasets.
• Demonstrate the potential of SBI to improve cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment planning.

The research project is funded by the Research Ireland Pathway Programme.

Tenure: Four years

Start date:

Specification

Minimum requirements

• Applicants must meet the entry requirements for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Candidates should hold a first class or upper second class honours degree (2.1) or international equivalent in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, medical physics, computational dngineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy RCSI’s English language requirements for postgraduate study. Typically, this includes an IELTS score of 6.5–7.0 overall (or equivalent qualification accepted by RCSI).
• Demonstrable knowledge of medical image processing and/or CFD.
• Proficiency in at least one relevant software environment, such as MATLAB, Python, ANSYS, OpenFOAM, or equivalent.
• Strong analytical, computational, and quantitative problem-solving skills.
• Genuine interest in cardiovascular biomechanics, medical imaging and computational medicine.
• Willingness to undertake both computational and experimental research, including the design, construction, and testing of cardiovascular flow phantoms for MRI validation studies.
• Ability to work with pumps, tubing systems, blood-mimicking fluids, and 3D-printed vascular models to recreate physiological blood flow conditions in a laboratory environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Desirable candidate specifications

• Familiarity with finite element, finite volume, or other numerical simulation methods.
• Experience with cardiovascular flow experiments, flow-loop systems, particle image velocimetry (PIV), or experimental fluid mechanics.
• Experience in designing, manufacturing, or testing physical phantoms, including the use of 3D printing technologies.
• Experience with laboratory instrumentation, pumps, sensors and data acquisition systems.
• Evidence of scientific writing, such as a thesis, dissertation, conference paper, journal publication, or technical report.
• Interest in translational research and the development of technologies with clinical impact.

Application process

Please apply for the research project through the link below.

Applicants must complete the application form: