PhD topics for research students

Find below a list of currently available self-funded PhD topics.

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We encourage all students to contact the supervisor or the alternative contact person for more information and an informal chat to discuss the process of applying and preparing your research statement. For more information on how to apply click here.

Description
Supervisor
Funding
Understanding the effects of meditation on mood, cognition, and the brain
We have open PhD projects to investigate a specific type of concentration meditation (also called focused attention meditation). We would like to understand the immediate effects of a single meditatio...
Andre Szameitat
Self Funded
Turning the curse into a blessing: using mindfulness to reduce psychosis-risk in people with high positive schizotypy who have heightened creative abilities
Positive schizotypy has been shown to be a double-edged sword: on the one hand, the aspects of magical thinking and unusual perceptual experiences have been linked with creativity; on the other hand, ...
Elena Antonova
Self Funded
The future of work: Labour markets and the rise of gig economy platforms
We are offering a self-funded PhD position with the Brunel Business School, focusing on the impact of digital technologies on labour markets in the evolving digital economy. Applications are accepted ...
Self Funded
Effects of environmental heat stress on respiratory health
Climate change dictates that global average environmental temperatures are going to increase in the 21st century and heatwaves are going to become more frequent, intense and long-lasting. Respiratory ...
Self Funded
Bridging the Gap: Integrating Neural Radiance Fields and Micro-drones for Enhanced 3D Volumetric Finite Element Analysis
The central objective of this project is the innovative deployment of Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs) and micro-drones in the process of 3D volumetric Finite Element modelling of bridges. This approach...
Michael Rustell
Self Funded
Understanding the mechanisms behind age-related balance and movement change, and/or exploring strategies to improve balance, function, and wellbeing in the older adult population
Doctoral researchers working in this area will conduct experimental research, exploring the underpinning reasons (mechanisms) for increased falls risk, and/or functional movement change in the older a...
Daniel Low
Self Funded
Autonomous Drone Surveys and Convolutional Neural Networks for Bridge Maintenance: A Predictive Approach Using Finite Element Analysis
The primary objective of this research is to develop a comprehensive framework for bridge maintenance that integrates autonomous drone surveys, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and Finite Element...
Michael Rustell
Self Funded
PhD in using AI techniques to interrogate and interpret voluntary and mandatory (non) financial disclosures
We are offering a self-funded PhD position with the Brunel Business School, focusing on the evolving field of corporate communication and disclosure. If you have any questions about the project or wou...
Kevin McMeeking
Self Funded
How do individual histone modifications help cells make decisions?
We are looking for a highly motivated, independent-thinking candidate to undertake a PhD project exploring the role of individual histone modifications in nuclear organisation, regulation of transcrip...
Self Funded
Elucidating the mechanisms of early-stage breast cancer initiation
Using both transgenic cell lines and transgenic mouse models available in our research group, this project will determine the causal effects of increased accumulation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) ...
Ahmet Ucar
Self Funded