Doctoral study in Bioengineering
Why study with us?
The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) is a world-renowned research institute with an emphasis on translating research into real solutions. It provides a vibrant and supportive environment for innovation in medical device technologies; we strongly encourage our PhD students to be involved in entrepreneurial activities (see our spin-outs).
At ABI, you have the unique opportunity to be involved in our Doctoral Training Programme. This is the only one of its kind in New Zealand, and offers modules to equip you with key technical and professional skills required for your degree. It also provides exposure to commercial and clinical environments for your future career.
You will have access to world-class research facilities and resources, and the chance to work with internationally recognised researchers. Studying at ABI also offers the exciting opportunity to experience working in the industry via internships; this could be your stepping stone to pursuing a career in industry.
Research opportunities
ABI is developing engineering approaches to facilitate better understanding of biological functions and provide the basis for new approaches to medical diagnosis and therapy.
Key areas of research undertaken at the ABI include:
- Digital models for personalised healthcare
- Medical device technology (diagnostic and assistive devices)
- Human modelling applications in entertainment, communications and transport
- Contributions to New Zealand’s primary industries
Augmented reality (part of the Entrepreneurial Universities Scheme, which intends to grow the university’s role in innovation and leadership: Entrepreneurial Universities Scheme)
Our people
Our researchers drive the culture of discovery and innovation at ABI. They come from a variety of disciplines with the common vision of pushing the frontiers of knowledge and medicine through engineering sciences and technical innovation. Some have won accolades for the pioneering work they have conducted in their fields; some are involved in commercialisation and many have international collaborations.
Past research topics
- "Modelling the Second Stage of labour" | Supervised by Dr Jennifer Ann Kruger
- "Developing a Needle-free Jet Injector for Viscous Fluids" | Supervised by Associate Professor Andrew Taberner
- "A computational model of the placental chorionic villous" | Supervised by Dr Alys Rachel Clark
- "Characterising human heart failure with clinical imaging and structure-based modelling" | Supervised by Professor Martyn Nash, Dr Vicky Wang, Professor Alistair Andrew Young, and Dr Christopher Patrick Bradley
- "Finding links in knee injuries and osteoarthritis" | Supervised by Dr Vickie Shim
- "Automated optokinetic nystagmus detection for use with young subjects" | Supervised by Dr Jason Turuwhenua
- "Transport properties of cell culture models of the alveolar epithelium" | Supervised by Dr Vinod Ammathi Suresh
- "Virtual reality simulation of hip surgery" | Supervised by Associate Professor Iain Anderson
Scholarships and awards
In addition to the scholarships below, many of our researchers have grant funding that includes a PhD stipend. See projects with this funding.
Contact us
For general student enquiries and to contact a postgraduate advisor, please email bioeng-pgoffice@auckland.ac.nz