PhD Research Studentships

[Dr. Mark Girolami]

UNIVERSITY OF PAISLEY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

PhD Studentships

'Applying Artificial Neural Networks in 
Non-invasive Direct Depth-Of-Anaesthesia Monitoring'

Applications are invited for PhD research studentships to participate in
a three year funded project on applying artificial neural networks and
advanced signal processing techniques to non-invasive direct
depth-of-anaesthesia monitoring. This project is being carried out in
collaboration with the Department of Anaesthesia, Glasgow Western
Infirmary. Suitable candidates will also have the opportunity of
carrying out periods of research in collaborating laboratories based in
Japan and the USA.

Despite much research, directly monitoring the depth-of-anaesthesia has
not yet found a place in routine anaesthetic practice. Two technologies
form the basis of current monitors: auditory evoked potentials (AEPs)
and bispectral index (BIS). AEPs involve the analysis of electrical
signals produced by the auditory cortex in response to a pattern of
clicks through a pair of headphones. BIS is a method which employs
higher order statistics in processing brain EEG data which results in a
single figure measure of depth of anaesthesia.

Recording EEG and AEP data are now established and reliable techniques.
The extraction of anaesthesia related data from the resultant stream of
information holds the key to further advances in directly quantifying
depth-of-anaesthesia. The project aims to develop and assess the use of
artificial neural network (ANN) techniques in processing and analysing
EEG and AEP data with the specific aim of improving the sensitivity and
specificity of direct depth-of-anaesthesia monitoring.

Applicants should have at least an upper second class degree in one of
these disciplines: electronic engineering, mathematics, physics or
computer science. Knowledge of signal processing or neural networks
would be desirable.

Applications in the form of a CV and names and addresses of three
referees should be sent, as soon as possible and at the latest by 30th
July 1998, to Dr. Mark Girolami, Computational Intelligence Research
Unit, Department of Computing and Information Systems, University of
Paisley, High Street, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Scotland, UK.

Informal inquiries can be made direct to Dr. Mark Girolami
giro at open.brain.riken.go.jp
Or giro0ci at paisley.ac.uk
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Dr. Mark Girolami (TM)
RIKEN, Brain Science Institute
Laboratory for Open Information Systems
2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-01, Japan
Email:  giro at open.brain.riken.go.jp
Tel:    +81 48 467 9666
Tel:    +81 48 462 3769 (apartment)
Fax:    +81 48 467 9694
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Currently on Secondment From:

Department of Computing and Information Systems
University of Paisley
High Street, PA1 2BE
Scotland, UK
Email: giro0ci at paisley.ac.uk
Tel: +44 141 848 3963
Fax: +44 141 848 3542

Secretary: Mrs E Campbell
Tel: +44 141 848 3966
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