Leeds Beckett University Sponsored PhD Studentship in Collaboration with OPED

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Full-time
Funded (UK Fees and Stipend)
Start date: October 2023
Location: Leeds, UK
Funding note: The studentship has a bursary of £18,622 per annum (pro-rata into 12 monthly payments) plus UK Fees paid initially for a period of three years

This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic and high-achieving individual looking to undertake a PhD in a vibrant research environment. The successful candidate will work closely with healthcare professionals and industry partners to develop a mechanistic understanding of how controlled ankle motion boots lead to a safer and more effective recovery following Achilles tendon rupture.

This exciting PhD opportunity lies at the intersection of academia, healthcare, and industry, offering the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients with Achilles tendon ruptures. The successful candidate will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with local NHS trusts to recruit patients and utilise cutting-edge biomechanical measures, including 3D motion capture and dynamic ultrasound, to comprehensively assess the healing process of the Achilles tendon following rupture. VACOped (from match funder OPED GmbH) is a commonly used and effective CAM boot for Achilles tendon ruptures that allows the ankle to be immobilised in a fixed equinus position or to be mobilised in a defined range of motion. Thus, this research endeavour aims to offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of various interventions for Achilles tendon rupture. By conducting this research, the successful candidate will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field and help to inform the development of more effective treatments for this common and debilitating injury.

Funding will consist of UK full tuition fees for three years and the award of a living stipend at UK Research Council rates (£18,622 per annum pro-rata into 12 monthly payments). Funding will be subject to satisfactory progress.

A laptop will be provided and the opportunity to apply for funding to support the research project.

Measuring the effectiveness of the controlled ankle motion (CAM) boot as a treatment for Achilles tendon rupture

In the last 30 years there has been a ten-fold increase in the incidence of Achilles tendon rupture, which has been attributed to a rise in sports participation (Lantto et al., 2015). This injury can be managed through surgical or conservative treatment, with varying success rates (Kangas et al., 2007; Zhang et al., 2015). Irrespective of the mode of treatment, a controlled ankle motion boot is frequently prescribed to maintain a plantar flexed position, which aids in the healing of the tendon. Despite its widespread use, patients often exhibit functional deficits following recovery, particularly in plantar flexion function (Walker et al., 2020).

Whilst the recovery of the tendon has been the subject of research, there is a lack of evidence regarding the mechanisms by which controlled ankle motion boots facilitate the healing process. Given the range of these boots available to healthcare providers, each with different healing mechanisms (such as fixed position versus dynamic loading), it is important to develop an understanding of the mechanisms by which these boots facilitate the healing of the tendon.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with the Supervisory Team: Dr David Lunn; Dr Josh Walker; Dr Richard Wilkins

• Aufwerber, Susanna; Heijne, Annette; Edman, Gunnar; Silbernagel, Karin Grävare; Ackermann, Paul W. (2020): Does Early Functional Mobilization Affect Long-Term Outcomes After an Achilles Tendon Rupture? A Randomized Clinical Trial. In: Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine 8 (3).

• Ellison, Philip; Molloy, Andrew; Mason, Lyndon William (2017): Early Protected Weightbearing for Acute Ruptures of the Achilles Tendon: Do Commonly Used Orthoses Produce the Required Equinus? In: The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 56 (5).
• Fröberg, Å., Mårtensson, M. and Arndt, A. (2020). The Effect of Ankle Foot Orthosis' Design and Degree of Dorsiflexion on Achilles Tendon Biomechanics—Tendon Displacement, Lower Leg Muscle Activation, and Plantar Pressure During Walking. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2(16).
• Hullfish, T. J., O'Connor, K. M. and Baxter, J. R. (2020). Instrumented immobilizing boot paradigm quantifies reduced Achilles tendon loading during gait. Journal of Biomechanics, 109(109925).
• McHenry, B. D., Exten, E. L., Cross, J. A., Kruger, K. M., Law, B., Fritz, J. M. and Harris, G. (2017). Sagittal subtalar and talocrural joint assessment during ambulation with controlled ankle movement (CAM) boots. Foot & Ankle International, 38(11), pp.1260-1266.
• Walker, J., Nicholson, G., Jongerius, N., Parelkar, P., Harris, N. and Bissas, A. (2020). Commonly reported isokinetic parameters do not reveal long-term strength deficits of the Triceps surae complex following operative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. Journal of Biomechanics, 101(109630).

As part of your application, please provide a CV, cover letter and research proposal. The proposal should align to the above theme and include a brief literature review related to this project, with an outline of the studies that you would propose to the answer the aims of the PhD (maximum 5 pages single spaced).

We can only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:

Your application form (include the project reference OPED1
Your research proposal, statement of purpose and CV on the Research proposal template
Copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts
Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) further information can be found on our Graduate School FAQs
Copy of your passport

Email the documentation above) to researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

The deadline for applications is midnight on 4th June 2023

Candidates must be available for interview on 22nd / 23rd June 2023

Application form

Who to contact

To discuss your application and project proposal please contact Dr David Lunn (D.E.Lunn@leedsbeckett.ac.uk) and Dr Josh Walker (josh.walker@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
For questions on the application process; researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

For candidates outside the UK. Please ensure that you contact our colleagues in Research Admissions prior to starting your application. They will go through the requirements that will need to be undertaken for you to study in the UK. Research Admissions can be contacted on researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk