Student research project
Beyond visible light
Do infrared wavelengths influence human physiology?
The question
Does radiation beyond the visible spectrum influence human physiology in ways relevant to photobiology? Answering this requires distinguishing possible responses from thermal effects and other confounding influences.
The project
Explore the evidence and measurement challenges surrounding infrared exposure and human physiological outcomes. The project may combine critical literature work, controlled optical characterisation and an agreed experimental or analytical component. Human exposure work requires appropriate safety assessment and approvals.
What you will do
- Map the evidence and identify how studies account for heat and measurement limitations.
- Support optical characterisation or supervised physiological measurements where approved.
- Analyse data reproducibly and evaluate what the results can and cannot establish.
Possible scope
A thesis could develop a focused physiological or measurement question. An engineering project or shorter placement could concentrate on characterisation or analysis. Optics, experimental physics or quantitative physiology would be useful backgrounds.
How to apply
Send a short motivation, CV, relevant skills, preferred project, dates, format and location. Mention external funding. Contact Prof. Manuel Spitschan using the address below.
Location, timing and scope are agreed with the supervisor; availability depends on capacity and the work involved.