Migraine Matrix: Developing An AI-Driven Comprehensive Resource for Headache Sufferers, Professionals, and Researchers

Summary

Migraine is a headache disorder with a variety of symptoms and common comorbidities, making it difficult to diagnose during an average-length doctor’s appointment. This is especially true when patients struggle under the pressure to answer a battery of ‘on-the-spot’ questions. Migraine misdiagnosis is common, and it is estimated that as few as 35% of migraine sufferers are correctly diagnosed by specialists. There are 10 million migraine sufferers in the UK, and the cost to the economy due to migraine-related work disruption is approximately £8.8 billion.

There is a need to improve the efficiency and accuracy of migraine diagnosis to reduce unnecessary suffering and wasteful spending on inappropriate treatment for misdiagnosed conditions. The current drive towards digital transformation in healthcare presents an opportunity to encourage online patient involvement, which could expedite diagnosis.

This project aims to innovate a comprehensive online resource to meet the needs of primary headache sufferers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

The key objectives include:
1.Creation of a comprehensive online migraine resource
2.Integration of interactive web applications to aid diagnosis and present real-time data
3.Design, testing, and debugging of the web application(s)
4.Recruitment for web application testing and population of datasets
5.Determination of the sensitivity and specificity of the web application(s)
6.Publishable analysis of collected data
7.[Optional add-on] Extension of the algorithm(s) to include other primary headaches

This project will primarily involve the use of information technology, including AI, and would be suitable for full-time and part-time learners with an interest in primary headaches and programming.

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Medicine, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Specific skills requirements of the applicant:
Experience of Programming, eg. Python, R

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 1500 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.