PhD Studentship: Weave-Electronics: Biosensing Wearables for Real-Time Physiological Monitoring

We invite applications for an exciting, fully funded PhD studentship at the interface of textile engineering, electronics, and wearable health technologies. This collaborative project between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh aims to develop a new generation of biosensing textiles for real-time physiological monitoring.

· Location: School of Textiles and Design, Heriot-Watt University (with access to facilities at the University of Edinburgh)

· Mode: Full-time

· Duration: 3.5 years (42 months)

· Eligible Applicants: UK home students only (EU applicants must hold settled/pre-settled status or indefinite leave to remain and meet residency requirements)

· Supervisory Team: Professor Danmei Sun at Heriot-Watt University, and Dr Stewart Smith at University of Edinburgh

About the project

Current wearable systems still rely on rigid or semi-rigid electronic components attached to the wearer using straps, causing inconsistent skin contact, motion artefacts, discomfort, and noise issues, affecting measurement accuracy especially during intense activity or in a demanding environment. Although e-textiles have advanced in recent years, there is a lack of fully integrated fibre-based sensing systems with stable, low-noise skin interfaces and high durability. Embedding sensing functions directly at fibre and yarn level offers a transformative approach, enabling soft, compliant, second-skin garments that adapt to body movement. As demand grows for continuous health monitoring, particularly for high-risk professionals like firefighters and for independently living older adults, second-skin textiles are being paid high attention, but challenges remain in ensuring electrical stability, washability, and reliable real-time signals. By combining textile engineering with electronics, this project aims to develop improved textile–skin contact mechanisms with integrated flexible sensors. It will advance fundamental understanding at the fibre, yarn, and fabric levels and position us as leaders in smart textiles and wearable health technologies.

The student will benefit from state-of-the-art textile manufacturing and testing facilities at Heriot-Watt University, alongside biomedical sensing expertise at the University of Edinburgh, supported by industrial and clinical collaborators.

Funding and Benefits

This is a competitive funded studentship with the following support:

· Stipend: 10% enhancement above UKRI rate (£20,780 per annum with UKRI for 2025/26)

· Tuition Fees: Covered at the UK home rate

· Research Training Grant: £3,500 over the duration of the PhD

· Expected Start Date: May 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter and no later than May 2027.