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A competition-funded PhD at Ulster University’s Intelligent Systems Research Centre, developing human-centred AI for personalised health, healthy ageing and dementia care, with three research directions to choose from. Open to Home and Republic of Ireland students only. See more funded PhDs.
Dr Pratheepan Yogarajah, Dr Faisal Jamil, Dr Priyanka Chaurasia, Prof Joan Condell
Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
OPEN TO HOME AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND STUDENTS ONLY
Summary
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating new opportunities to transform health and care through personalised monitoring, early identification of health risks, intelligent assistance and technologies that support people to live independently. However, achieving meaningful real-world impact requires AI systems that are not only intelligent, but also trustworthy, explainable, accessible and designed around the needs of individuals, carers and wider stakeholders.
The Human-Centred Computing (HCC) research team, within Ulster University’s Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC), invites applications for PhD research addressing these challenges through the development of innovative human-centred AI technologies for personalised health, healthy ageing and independent living.
Applicants are invited to consider the following research directions:
AI-Driven Digital Biosignatures for Personalised Health Monitoring
Supervisory Chair: Dr Faisal Jamil
This project will investigate how AI can identify digital biosignatures from wearable, physiological, behavioural and clinical health data. Multimodal and explainable AI approaches will be developed to discover meaningful patterns associated with changes in health and emerging risks. Through longitudinal data analysis, the research will develop personalised health profiles that capture individual variability and support early risk prediction. Privacy-preserving approaches will also be explored, contributing to trustworthy and interpretable AI for proactive and personalised healthcare.
Intelligent Reminder and Assistive Technologies for Dementia Care
Supervisory Chair: Dr Priyanka Chaurasia
Building on existing Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) research, this project will develop AI-enabled approaches for personalised dementia care and healthy ageing. It will investigate how older adults and carers interact with reminder and assistive technologies, focusing on usability, personalisation, accessibility, adoption and explainability. The research will explore how AI can enable adaptive reminder and support systems that respond to individual needs and preferences, helping older adults maintain independence and supporting carers in everyday dementia care.
AI-Driven Technology to Support People with Dementia at Home
Supervisory Chair: Prof Joan Condell
This project will continue work established in the HCC team creating AI models that will detect, prevent, and monitor agitation in people living with dementia. An intelligent platform will be co-designed by people living with dementia and their carers, enabling better understanding of behaviour through from diagnosis to post-diagnosis support. This platform will empower people living with Dementia, helping them maintain independence in their daily lives, decisions, social interactions, and activities in their own homes.
Successful applicants will join the multidisciplinary HCC team within ISRC, benefiting from expertise across AI, machine learning, human-computer interaction, digital health and assistive technologies, while contributing to research with significant potential for societal and healthcare impact.
Funding Notes
OPEN TO HOME AND REPUBLIC OF IRELAND STUDENTS ONLY
How to apply
To apply for this job please visit www.ulster.ac.uk.
