Immersive technology for heart surgery

Heart valves often become weak with old age, previously a common cause of death. Open heart surgery has been too invasive in the past. However, a new minimally invasive procedure (called TAVI) has now made this intervention safer and more accessible, helping many affected patients worldwide live longer, better quality lives.

Still, the success of the surgery largely depends on the quality of the medical imaging during the implant of the new value, which is 2D, greyscale and often has a poor spatial and temporal resolution. Immersive technologies such as AR and VR have rapidly emerged in recent years, but their translation into the surgery room remains fictional.

This PhD will explore how AR and VR technology can be integrated as tools to assist live surgical TAVI procedures. The ideal candidate has a strong programming background and experience with immersive technologies. Strong problem-solving skills, motivation and good communication, and a passion for health technologies are required.

This interdisciplinary PhD is an excellent opportunity for a postgraduate student to pursue world-leading and novel research of significant translational impact, offering various career paths and stimulating intellectual challenges. 

The project will bring together leading experts from creative technologies, engineering and medicine as a supervisory and advisory team as part of an international, dynamic, and thriving team based in Sydney, Australia. We value collaboration, inclusivity, and excellence. Weekly group and individual meetings will allow you to excel in your work. For more details, please see www.svmgroup.org. 

Female applicants are highly encouraged.

Scholarship

• $15,000 Top Up Scholarship for a suitable applicant who is awarded a UNSW Research Training Program Scholarship, Research Training Program International Scholarship, University Postgraduate Award or University International Postgraduate Award.  

Eligibility

• Domestic and International applicants
• PhD only
• Must be awarded a UNSW Research Training Program Scholarship, Research Training Program International Scholarship, University Postgraduate Award or University International Postgraduate Award
• The ideal candidate has a strong programming background and experience with immersive technologies
• Strong problem-solving skills, motivation and good communication, and a passion for health technologies are required.

How to apply

Please apply with your CV, references and cover letter stating your final GPA or WAM for all degrees and addressing all the selecting criteria to Dr Susann Beier at s.beier@unsw.edu.au. 

If you are shortlisted, you will need to submit a formal application to UNSW for a UNSW research scholarship.