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MRC NW-DMS DLA programme: Beyond the peak: Detecting cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in diabetes using Taylor-Fourier analysis of wearable photoplethysmography

Funding
Funded
Study mode
Full-time
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Start date
Subject area
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
How to apply
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Overview

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) damages the nerves that control heart rate and blood-pressure. It affects about one in three people with diabetes, and is linked to substantially higher risks of cardiovascular disease and early death. It is rarely identified in routine care because diagnosis currently relies on a specialist, technical, 30-40 minute laboratory test using fixed wired equipment. As a result, CAN is absent from national screening.

About this opportunity

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is the flashing green light on the back of every wearable. It is ubiquitous, cheap and continuous, however the way we analyse it is crude. Standard algorithms find the peaks of the pulse waveform and throw the rest away, and they break down when recordings are noisy, missing a significant amount of heartbeats. Our engineering team in Liverpool (PI Ferrero) has developed Taylor-Fourier instantaneous harmonic analysis: a model-based method that uses the whole waveform, delivers sample-by-sample heart rate, and flags unreliable data objectively.

This CASE studentship provides the missing ingredient to currently developed algorithms, clinically labelled prospectively collected dataset with detailed reference standard testing. The algorithms will be refined and design new autonomic indices, then test them in a purpose-built clinical study in Manchester comparing healthy volunteers, people with diabetes, and also confirmed CAN, with wearable PPG recorded simultaneously against gold-standard autonomic reflex testing and then over several days at home. A prototype software that clinicians could use will be developed.

The student will be trained in biomedical signal processing and uncertainty quantification, clinical autonomic physiology, good clinical practice, and the regulatory landscape for software as a medical device as well as spend time in engineering, in the NHS and in industry. This is a genuinely interdisciplinary project for a quantitative scientist who wants their work to reach patients.

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Who is this for?

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a minimum Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in biomedical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics, health data science or a closely related quantitative discipline. Additional research experience in biomedical signal processing, time- and frequency-domain analysis of physiological time series, or machine learning applied to sensor data is desirable, as is programming proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python. No prior clinical experience is required; full training in clinical measurement, autonomic physiology and good clinical practice will be provided. We particularly welcome applicants keen to work at the interface of engineering, medicine and industry.

International applicants

We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. Visit our English Language requirements page to find out more.

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How to apply

  1. 1. Contact supervisors

    Supervisory Team:

    Before you Apply

    Browse our MRC NW-DMS DLA projects and discover one you’re passionate about that matches your interests, ambitions and goals.

    Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.

  2. 2. Prepare your application documents

    All applications to University of Liverpool projects should be submitted via the Microsoft Forms link:

    MRC NW-DMS DLA candidate application form 2027/28 entry – University of Liverpool – Fill in form

    You may apply for up to two projects from the programme at University of Liverpool via this scheme. To do so, submit a single online application form selecting both project titles you wish to apply to.

    Following your online form submission, you should then email with the following supporting documents:

    • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
    • Supporting Statement
    • Academic Certificates and Transcripts
    • English Language certificates where required
    • Passport photo page copy

    Please use the email subject line: MRC NW-DMS DLA application [insert your full name] so we can match your email submission to your online form submission. Please ensure you use exactly the same first name and surname on this form and on your email. You must submit both your online form and the required supporting documents by the deadline.

    If applying for two University of Liverpool projects, you only need to submit the supporting documents once.

    Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

    Applications should not be made through the University of Liverpool’s application portal.

    Once you have completed your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

    Deadline: Friday 27th November 2026, midnight UK time

    Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

    If you need help with this stage of the process, or have any queries regarding your eligibility (such as if you achieved unexpectedly low degree results due to extenuating circumstances), please contact the Liverpool NW-DMS team for advice at

    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

    Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Liverpool, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on our website.

  3. 3. Apply

    Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

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Funding your PhD

These studentships are available to UK and international applicants, and provide funding for tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI rate, subject to eligibility, for four years. This does not include any costs associated with relocation. This scheme is open to both UK and international applicants.

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Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Liverpool NW-DMS team
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