Raheleh Kafieh

A fully funded PhD position is available at Newcastle University, co-supervised by Dr. Laura Young and Assistant Professor Raheleh Kafieh (Durham University), as part of the MRC Discovery Medicine North (DiMeN) Doctoral Training Partnership. The project, titled 'Enabling sensitive retinal biomarkers using adaptive optics imaging, simulation and AI,' aims to develop advanced simulation and AI models for detecting and analyzing photoreceptor cells in the human retina. This interdisciplinary research blends adaptive optics, high-resolution retinal imaging, machine learning, synthetic data generation, biomedical engineering, mathematical modelling, and explainable AI. The goal is to enable earlier diagnosis and improved monitoring of sight-threatening diseases. The studentship offers access to world-class facilities, bespoke training, and a vibrant research community. Funding includes tuition, a stipend of £20,780 for 2024/25, and project costs, for a duration of four years. UK students are eligible, with a few exceptional international candidates considered. Applicants should have a strong background in AI, machine learning, biomedical engineering, or related fields, and a passion for medical imaging or vision science. The start date is 1st October 2026. Applications are submitted via the MRC DiMeN website.