PhD in Robotics

NOTE: The project is under the QUB – Aston University Dual PhD programme, and is co-supervised by Dr Xianghong Ma (https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/persons/xianghong-ma/) at Aston University. The candidate is expected to carry out research in both universities (e.g. at QUB in Year 1 & Year 3 while at Aston in Year 2). /nProject Background /nOver 2.2 billion people globally suffer from visual impairments, with at least 200 million potentially benefiting from eye surgery. However, many face barriers such as prohibitive costs, especially in developing nations, and a global shortage of qualified surgeons, who require 7–10 years of specialized training. The integration of robots in eye surgery holds promise for assisting surgeons, enhancing capabilities, and improving affordability, accessibility, and efficacy. To address these challenges, we've recently patented and developed a new parallel robot prototype for ophthalmic surgeries. This project aims to develop a vision guided high precision control method for this robot. /nImagine helping to restore sight for millions. A global shortage of surgeons and high costs put life-changing eye surgeries out of reach for countless people. This project places you at the cutting edge of a solution: developing the intelligent "eyes and hands" for a novel surgical robot designed to make procedures more precise, accessible, and affordable. /nWe have built a patented robotic prototype. Your mission is to bring it to life by creating its core guidance system. This isn't just theoretical robotics; you'll be solving the real-time perception and control challenges that stand between a promising prototype and a future clinical tool. /nResearch Objectives: /n1. Develop real-time image processing algorithms to identify critical surgical features, like the edge of the eye's lens capsule. This gives the robot its situational awareness, a fundamental advance for automated precision. /n2. Create a robust calibration framework to map between the robot’s movements and the surgical microscope’s view. This bridges the physical and digital worlds, ensuring every robotic action is perfectly aligned in the surgical space. /n3. Engineer high-precision control algorithms that filter vibration and ensure smooth, micron-level motion. This directly tackles the key technological barrier of achieving the super-fine control demanded by delicate eye tissue. /n4. Validate system performance through accuracy characterization and trajectory tracking experiments. This critical step transitions the work from simulation to tangible, measurable impact, proving its readiness for the next stage of development. /nThis project is a unique opportunity to directly contribute to medtech innovation with profound human impact. You will gain hands-on, interdisciplinary experience in robotics, computer vision, and real-time systems—skills at the forefront of the rapidly growing surgical robotics industry. Join us to help build technology that can extend a surgeon's capability and, ultimately, the gift of sight.