Adaptive Virtual-Reality Exergaming for Physical and Cognitive Health in Older Adults
Not stated
- Funding
- Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
- Application deadline
- 21 October 2026
About the project
About the Project Can virtual reality help older adults maintain physical and cognitive function? This project will develop and test SPIN‑VR, an interactive exercise game that combines movement, cognitive challenges and wearable sensors. You will work with older adults, clinicians and carers to make the system safe, engaging and accessible. You will then develop real-time personalised feedback and evaluate the system in laboratory studies, measuring usability, balance, mobility, attention and executive function. The project offers interdisciplinary training in virtual reality, gait analysis, cognitive testing, mixed-methods research and data-driven personalised rehabilitation. Academic criteria: Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a first or upper second-class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualification gained outside the UK. English requirements: IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or acceptable alternative. How to Apply A list of all the projects and how to apply is available on the GW4 website. gw4biomed.ac.uk You may select up to 2 projects and submit one application per candidate only. Please complete an application to the GW4 BioMed3 for an ‘offer of funding’. If successful, you will also need to make an application for an 'offer to study' to your chosen institution later. Please note that we may close the application process before the stated deadline if an unprecedented number of applications are received– check the GW4 BioMed website for details and updates. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be notified from Tuesday, 22nd December 2026. Interviews will be held virtually on 26th and 27th January 2027. Studentships will start on 1 st October 2027.