Optical Systems for Ocular Imaging (23045)

Primary Supervisor:

Professor Marinko Sarunic, Moorfields Eye Charity Chair in Advanced Ocular Imaging, Institute of Ophthalmology

Introduction:

A 3-year PhD studentship is available in the UCL Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering. Funding for a stipend will be at least the UCL minimum stipend rate. Details can be found here. 

Tuition fees are not included in the studentship and will be the responsibility of the student.

The successful candidate will join our Research Degree in Medical Physics (application portal here), and benefit from the activities and events organised by the department.

The studentship has been funded by the European Union, as part of a collaborative Horizon Europe project called ‘Translational Research and Innovation in Ophthalmology Vision - Centre of Excellence’ (TRIO Vi CoE), project #101136570 link here. UCL’s participation in the TRIO VI CoE project is through the Institute of Ophthalmology link here.

Project Background: 

Adaptive Optics (AO) was initially developed for astronomical imaging with telescopes, providing dynamic correction of distortion caused by turbulence in the atmosphere. The same AO technology can be used for microscopic imaging, controlling the wavefront of light to achieve a perfect focus. AO has been adapted to biomedical optical imaging for a variety of applications, including the application focus of this project for non-invasive imaging of eyes for the early diagnosis of vision robbing diseases. 

The principle behind AO is to characterize the optical distortions that cause blurring, and to compensate for them. This can be performed physically using a deformable mirror, or digitally for phase stable images. The mathematical function describing the distortions is applied to the wavefront, reshaping the phase the light in order to create a high quality image. 

Research on AO ocular imaging systems provides opportunities to develop skills in optics, imaging instrumentation, programming, control systems, and image processing.

Research aims: 

Many common vision robbing diseases affect the retina, a neurosensory extension of the brain located at the back of the eye. Challenges in retinal imaging include the physics of optical design, correction of imperfections in the natural eye surfaces, detection of weak signals, high speed electronics, and real-time signal processing to generate images. 

This research includes innovation in various aspects of adaptive optics for retinal imaging, ranging from physical systems with lenses and detectors, and complete imaging system design, to artificial intelligence for AO control, and also image processing and analysis. The high-resolution images will be used for early diagnosis of diseases causing blindness and to guide therapeutic intervention. 

Person specification & requirements:

• Candidates must have a research interest in ocular imaging and optical instrumentation.
• Candidates with backgrounds in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Medical Physics, or comparable experience in (e.g., ocular imaging instruments) are welcome to apply. 
• Hands-on experience in optics, especially optical coherence tomography (OCT), and adaptive optics (AO), will be a plus.
• Candidates should hold a UK (or international equivalent) MRes degree.

Funding

This is a partial studentship available to:

• Home and Overseas fee applicants. More information about fee status criteria can be found here.
• This studentship will only provide a stipend. The student is responsible for paying the tuition fees.

The successful student will receive a stipend starting from at least the UCL minimum (£21,237 in 2024/25).

The stipends awarded to PhD students at UCL are tax free and incur no income tax or national insurance contributions. The amount received increases each year over the duration of the studentship.

How to apply:

Please complete the following steps to apply.

• Send an expression of interest and current CV to m.sarunic@ucl.ac.uk and medphys.pgr@ucl.ac.uk, quoting Project Code 23045 in the email subject line.
• Make a formal application via the UCL application portal: Apply | Prospective Students Graduate - UCL – University College London. Please select the programme code ‘Medical Physics RRDMPHSING01’ and enter Project Code 23045 under ‘Name of Award 1’ 
• If shortlisted, candidates will be invited for an interview.

Application Deadline:

The deadline for this application is 22nd June 2025

Application Timeline

• After the deadline, all applicants that expressed their interests and specified Project 23045 in their Portico application will be considered for interview.
• Candidates will normally be invited for interview within one week of the deadline. If you have not been contacted within this time-period, you have unfortunately not been successful in being shortlisted.
• The interview panel will normally consist of the supervision team on the project. 
• Note that applications without specifying the project they are applying for and/or making a formal Portico application will be automatically rejected.
• If you are offered and accept a studentship position, a formal UCL Offer of Admission will be sent to you as well as an offer of studentship funding.