Fully Funded PhD in Fast Digital Twins for LAA Thrombosis Risk in Atrial Fibrillation at UCL University College London in United Kingdom

UCL Mechanical Engineering is advertising a fully funded PhD studentship in Fast Digital Twins for LAA Thrombosis Risk in Atrial Fibrillation. The project sits at the intersection of computational modelling, machine learning, fluid-structure interaction (FSI), parametric modelling, and cardiovascular biomechanics, with a strong focus on personalised stroke risk assessment.

The successful PhD student will work in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College London under the supervision of Dr Giorgia Bosi. The research aims to build ML-accelerated surrogate models trained on high-fidelity FSI simulations of left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomy, enabling rapid prediction of haemodynamics and thrombosis-related metrics. The project is highly interdisciplinary and is suitable for candidates interested in engineering, biomedical applications, AI, and digital twins.

Research themes and keywords: CFD, FEM, FSI, Python, MATLAB, PyTorch, TensorFlow, neural operators, graph-based models, autoencoders, physics-informed modelling, cardiovascular digital twins, atrial fibrillation, stroke risk stratification, personalised medicine.

Eligibility highlights: applicants are preferred to have, or be about to receive, a first-class undergraduate and master's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline. Strong numerical modelling skills, programming experience, and machine learning/deep learning knowledge are required. Good mathematical foundations and strong communication skills are also expected. UCL notes that non-native English speakers must meet its English language entry requirements.

Funding: the studentship covers Home/UK tuition fees and provides a maintenance stipend. International applicants may be considered, but they must secure additional funding for the difference between Home and Overseas tuition fees.

Application window: the deadline is 29 June 2026, with a project start date of 1 October 2026. Interested applicants should first email Dr Giorgia Bosi with a short statement of suitability and CV, then submit a formal PhD application through the UCL website after discussion.