Switzerland : PhD Studentship: Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS) Zurich

The Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS) at ETH Zurich seeks a PhD Student (60%) interested in writing his/her PhD thesis in the context of a project on water management in the Zambezi river basin.

Research area: Your PhD research will be part of a large interdisciplinary project that studies integrated water resources management in the Zambezi river basin (http://www.zambezi.ethz.ch/twiki/bin/view/Zambezi). It will focus on issues of multi-level governance from a political science and economics viewpoint.

Your background: We are looking for a candidate who holds an MA/MSc in political science and/or economics. Ideally, applicants should have strong methodological skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, a keen interest in questions of political economy, good knowledge of political science, economic and political economy theories, and a strong command of English. Willingness and ability to spend several months in southern Africa to collect data and interact with local project partners is essential.

What we offer: We offer the successful candidate an intellectually challenging position in one of the leading political science research centers in Europe, an exciting opportunity to engage in field research in southern Africa, and the prospects of obtaining a PhD degree from ETH Zurich (http://www.ib.ethz.ch/phd/index). The position is funded for three years in the order of CHF 3’000.- / month. The advisors of the PhD thesis will be Prof. Thomas Bernauer (http://www.ib.ethz.ch/) and Prof. Rolf Kappel (http://www.nadel.ethz.ch/).

Your application: We invite you to submit an application letter and CV, two letters of recommendation, and other application materials to ETH Zürich, Ms. Claudia Jenny, ETH Zurich, ETH Zentrum SEI G.1, CH-8092 Zurich (cjenny@icr.gess.ethz.ch), preferably in electronic form. The deadline is 30 June 2008.

Germany : 30 Doctoral Grants, Hausdorff Center for Mathemathics

The Bonn International Graduate School in Mathematics (BIGS-Mathematics), embraced by the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics, a Cluster of Excellence established within the German government's Excellence Initiative, offers a PhD program in mathematics based upon the well-known teaching and research tradition of the Department of Mathematics and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics.

UK : University College Cork PhD Studentship in Immunology

School of Pharmacy

College of Medicine and Health

A Ph.D. studentship exists, to commence in September 2008, for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to investigate novel methods of modulating the interaction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) with its receptor to enhance vaccine-induced immunity.

It is now accepted that cell-mediated immunity is essential to effectively control a number of diseases, such as HIV, malaria and TB. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a key protein produced by stimulated T lymphocytes, binds to its receptor (IL-2R) on T cells and promotes their activation and function. Preventing this binding, by administering a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for part of IL-2R, the CD25 protein, is a clinically effective treatment for transplantation. We previously demonstrated that anti-CD25 mAb administration at the time of vaccination significantly enhanced T cell responses generated by multiple vaccine strategies and induced significantly augmented efficacy against malaria challenge (Moore et al., Journal of Immunology, 2005, 175, 7264-73). The central aim of this project is to determine, at a cellular and molecular level, the underlying mechanisms so that effective IL-2-based vaccine augmentation strategies can be developed and clinically translated. An increased insight of this fundamental aspect of T cell biology would also lead to novel therapeutic strategies for auto-immunity, inflammatory disorders and cancer.

The studentship is open to candidates who hold a first or upper second class degree or M.Sc. in a biomedical science subject and have a keen interest in immunology. Applications, to include a cover letter, describing your interest in this position and clear statements regarding your competence, full curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of two referees should be sent, by email, to Dr. Anne Moore, School of Pharmacy, Cavanagh Pharmacy Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. E-mail: anne.moore@ucc.ie.

The deadline for applications is Friday 18th July 2008.

Further Details

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UK : PhD Studentship Dance Talent Development in Young People

Ranked number 1 in both its specialisms - Music and Dance Guardian Higher Education/University League Tables 2008

£14K p.a

Trinity Laban, the first UK conservatoire of music and dance, combining Trinity College of Music and Laban, two leading centres for music and contemporary dance, is developing a strong research profile and establishing its research culture. Our commitment to research and scholarly activity ranks creativity, individuality and originality as core values.

We are seeking to recruit a motivated individual to contribute to an exciting investigation into the identification and development of dance talent in young people, funded by The Leverhulme Trust and partially supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. This interdisciplinary longitudinal research project will profile and screen approximately 300 talented young people.

To qualify for this three-year funded PhD within our dance science research team, you should have a Masters degree in dance, exercise and/or sports science or related discipline and an interest in dance, dance teaching and working with young people. Your fees will be paid and you will receive a full maintenance grant, while participating in the project.

For further job and application details, please go to http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/ or contact: Paula Emms, HR Assistant, LABAN, Creekside, London SE8 3DZ. Telephone: 020 8469 9476 Fax: 020 8691 8400 Email: p.emms@laban.org.

Closing date: 16 June 2008

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is committed to equal opportunities and diversity

The research degree programme is validated by City University. Other programmes which fall within the UK framework for higher education qualifications are validated by University of Westminster (Trinity College of Music) and City University (Laban).

UK : University of Central Lancashire The 2008 Addison Research Studentships

Cache Caves Archaeology

The University of Central Lancashire’s Addison Awards scheme provides opportunities to gain both financial support and essential teaching experience while pursuing a full-time programme for PhD. The awards are tenable for up to 3 years with an expected commencement date of 1 October 2008. The stipend is £12,940 per annum and the award covers the cost of tuition fees at UK/EU rates (International students may apply but will need to fund the difference between the fees rates). Award holders will be expected to contribute up to 6 hours teaching per week.

Applicants should have, or expect to receive, an upper second class or first class honours degree or an MSc in a related discipline.

Cache Caves Archaeology
The archaeology of cache caves: organic materiality and the environment of the Inland and Interior Chumash, South-Central California

Reference No RS/07/25

Informal enquiries (project related) may be directed to Dr David Robinson (+44 (0)1772 893756, or email dwrobinson@uclan.ac.uk)

Requests for an application pack (quoting the reference number RS/07/25) should be directed to the Graduate Research Office. Tel +44 (0)1772 894287 or e-mail researchdegrees@uclan.ac.uk

Closing Date: 30 June 2008

Cyprus : MBA Scholarships at University of Nicosia

The Government of The Republic Of Cyprus Will Award Up To 5 Scholarships To Excellent Students From Indonesia For The University Of Nicosia MBA Programme.

Deadline: 30 June 2008

The University of Nicosia is the largest private university in Cyprus with an established reputation for quality education and has recently received the "Committed to Excellence" award from the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

The MBA programme is one of the best offered in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region and is locally accredited by CEEA, the Cyprus Ministry of Education and KYSATS. The Business School is a member of AACSB – International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The University of Nicosia MBA Specializations in:

• Management
• Marketing
• Finance
• MIS (Management Information Systems)

Students whose first degree is not business related may be required to take up to 3 Foundation Courses.

The Scholarship will be valid for one year and will include:

1. €10,252 tuition fees
2. One return ticket (up to €770)
3. €683 monthly allowance
4. €68 arrival allowance
5. €51 departure allowance
6. €185 for purchase of medical insurance
7. €34 cost of issuing a student permit
8. €46 cost for medical tests required for the student permit
9. €427 Text book allowance

Procedure for applying for the MBA Scholarship

A. The Applicant must prepare the following set of documents:

1. Completed University of Nicosia MBA application form
2. Officially attested Bachelor Degree mark sheets
3. Officially attested copy of Bachelors Degree
4. Officially attested Master Degree mark sheet
5. Officially attested copy of Masters Degree
6. 2 recommendation letters
7. Proof of English proficiency
8. Curriculum Vitae
9. Officially attested copy of passport (valid for at least two years)
10. 4 photographs
11. Officially attested copy of good conduct report from the police
12. Copy of blood test results for Syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis B
13. Copy of chest X-Ray report
14. Endorsement Form that is officially signed and stamped

The Endorsement Form must be filled in by an officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or other Government Authority that is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Please note that the documents which need to be officially attested should be taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for certification.)

B. The above documents together with the signed Endorsement Form must be submitted to the:

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Cyprus - Jakarta
Mr. Hardjuni SH
Menara Sudirman 7th Floor B
JI. Menara Sudirman Kav. 60
Jakarta 12190

Tel.: 006221 5226837-39, 0062 816739877 (mob.)
Fax.: 006221 5226829, 006221 5227753
Email: hdh@cbn.net.id

All applications must reach the Honorary Consul by 30 June 2008.

Download Endorsement Form

USA : Harvard Scholarship: Assistant or Associate Professor of International Health

The Department of Population and International Health at the Harvard School of Public Health seeks candidates for the position of assistant or associate professor of international health. This is a tenure-track position, with academic rank to be determined in accordance with the successful candidate’s experience and accomplishments. The department is seeking candidates who are interested in pursuing research on the modeling and evaluation of national health systems, measurement of health system performance, design and evaluation of health interventions, health sector reforms, and human resource development.

The successful candidate will be expected to play a central role in the department’s research and teaching, devoting a majority of his/her time to research in evaluation of health systems and programs. Overseas travel for fieldwork is envisaged.

Candidates should hold a doctoral degree in program evaluation or economics, with an area of specialization in one or more of the following: program evaluation, applied econometrics, health economics, and statistical modeling and evaluation. Prior research experience related to evaluation of health systems or programs in low- or middle-income countries is highly desirable.

Application

Please send a letter of application, including a statement of current and future research interests, a CV, sample publications, and the names of four referees to the following address. Applicants should ask their four referees to write independently to this address. (Please note that candidates considered to be qualified for consideration at the rank of associate professor will be asked by the search committee to provide two additional letters.)

Chair, Search Committee for International Health
c/o Jean Joseph, Search Administrator
Department of Population and International Health
Harvard School of Public Health
665 Huntington Avenue, 1-1102
Boston, MA 02115

or by email to jjoseph@hsph.harvard.edu

China : Graduate Scholarships for International Students - International College Zhejiang University

I. Basic Information on the Scholarships
The scholarships are provided by the Chinese Government and Zhejiang University jointly for prospective international students to study for Ph.D. Degrees at Zhejiang University.

1. 60 scholarship students will be accepted for the fall semester of 2008 and spring semester of 2009;
2. Details: Awardees will be exempt from tuition and fees for registration, laboratory experiments, internship, basic learning materials, and intramural accommodation;
   • Living allowance: CNY 1,400 per month for doctoral students;
   • Fee for outpatient medical services and Comprehensive Medical Insurance and Benefit Plan for International Students in China: CNY 600 per person per annum;
   • A one-off settlement subsidy for new students after registration: CNY 600 per person.
3. Duration:
4. The duration of the scholarship for all programs with English as the media of instruction is the same as the normal length of the specific programs.

II. An Overview of Zhejiang University:

Zhejiang University is located in the coastal city of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, which lies 180 km away from Shanghai, a metropolitan city in China. As one of the China's Seven ancient capitals, Hangzhou is a world-famous tourist resort praised as "a paradise on earth", boasting very favorable natural conditions, with a mild climate, convenient transportation systems, picturesque scenery and rich cultural heritage.

The university is one of the few top-ranking research institutions of higher learning in China. It has a full coverage of disciplines in 11 major branches of Learning, Namely Philosophy, Literature, History, Education, Sciences, Economics, Law, Management, Engineering, Agriculture and Medicine. With a history of more than 80 years of graduate education, the university now offers 331 academic and professional Master's Degree programs and 283 Doctoral programs. Under its administration there are 14 Nation Key Laboratories, 2 National Engineering Research Centers and 3 National Engineering Technology Centers and 43 post-doctor stations. At present, the university has a full-time student body of over 39,000, with 22,900 undergraduates, over 15,700 Master's Degree students and over 6,600 Ph.D. candidates, and the university also has about 1,700 international students coming from over 100 countries.

A truly comprehensive institute with developing into a world-class institution as its goal, Zhejiang University aims to provide an outstanding education that will enable its students to build a future of professional, intellectual and personal success, capable of leadership in different areas. Equally important, however, is the role the university has been playing in research. With a faculty capable of top-level and large-scale research and a high proportion of graduate students, the university has been undertaking projects, both basic and applied, to address pressing issues of today and the future.

III. Application

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be non-Chinese nationals and in good health.
2. Applicants must have a Master's Degree.
3. Applicants must be under the age of 40.
4. Applicants should have a competitive academic record.
5. Applicants should have strong scientific research ability.
6. Applicants must NOT be beneficiaries of any other kinds of sponsorships.

Language Used in Teaching
English is used as instructional language for programs in Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Economics, Business, and Medicines.

Application Materials
All applicants must fill in and provide the following materials truly and correctly.

1. The Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship (Download) in Chinese or in English.
2. Highest diploma (notarized photocopy). If applicants are university students or already employed, they should also provide documents of being university students or on-post employees. Documents in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with translations in Chinese or English.
3. Applicants for doctoral studies need to provide notarized copies of their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English must be attached with translations in Chinese or English.
4. A photocopy of the passport and a recent photo (white background, 35mm × 45mm in size).
5. A study or research proposal in Chinese or in English (no less than 800 words).
6. Two letters of recommendation from full professors or associate professors (in Chinese or English).
7. Published academic papers or other academic achievements (if applicable).
8. Photocopy of Foreigner Physical Examination Form (printed by Chinese quarantine authority. Applicants are expected to keep the original copies) filled in English. The medical examinations must cover all the items listed in the Foreigner Physical Examination Form. Incomplete records or those without the signature of the attending physician, the official stamp of the hospital or a sealed photograph of the applicants are invalid. The medical examination results will be valid for 6 months. All applicants are kindly requested to take this factor into consideration as they plan to take the medical examination.

Applicants should submit the above materials to the International College of Zhejiang University before May 30, 2008 for the programs starting in fall 2008 and before Sept. 20 2008 for those starting in spring 2009. Application materials will NOT be returned regardless of the result of application.

Choices of Programs
Please check the Major Doctoral Programs. Applicants are encouraged to contact their prospective supervisors at Zhejiang University prior to application and are expected to enclose in their application package the relevant recommendation letters written by those supervisors.

Approval and Notification
Zhejiang University will review all the application materials. Decisions for admission and for granting the scholarships will be made on the basis of the applicants' competitiveness, academic and otherwise. The name list of the scholarship awardees for programs starting from the fall semester of 2008 will be publicized before July 31, 2008 after it is reviewed by China Scholarship Council. Admission Notices and other relevant documents will be sent to the awardees afterwards.

Contact Information
International College of Zhejiang University:

Mr. YI Honghui Tel: +86 571 87953101 Email: zjuyhh[a-t]zju.edu.cn
Fax: +86 571 87951755
Office of Degree Student Affairs, International College
Room 229, No. 31 Dorm, Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University

Postal Address:
P.O. Box W-99, International College, Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China 310027

Note:

1. Awardees must go through the Annual Review of the Chinese Government Scholarship Status.
2. The duration of the "Scholarship for Graduate Studies in Zhejiang University for International Students" is not to be extended if the awardees fail to finish the studies due to personal reasons.
3. Scholarship students who have to suspend their studies because of illness should return to their home country for further treatment and rest. Expenses for the international travel to and from the university will be borne by the students themselves, and their scholarship status will be reserved for one year at most, with the monthly living allowance stopped during the suspension. Scholarships of the students who suspend their studies for reasons other than illness will not be reserved.

Korea : SNU - Silk Road Scholarship for Humanities and Social Sciences

SNU launched a new scholarship program named 'The Silk Road Scholarship' for prospective foreign students who want to study humanities or social sciences. The program aims at attracting outstanding students from Middle and Southeast Asia. SNU expects that it will promote lively academic interchanges between eastern and western Asias.

Five graduate students will be recruited every year from Russia, India, Mongolia etc. They will receive 2 years of tuition wave, monthly living expenses and Korean language education support.

The application for Silk Road Scholarship is open during the International Admissions every fall semester.

This program is sponsored by SBS, the third largest broadcasting company in Korea.

Silk Road Scholarship

• Eligibility:
  Students whose nationality is as followings Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Nepal, Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, Russia
• Field:
  Humanities or Social Sciences including Korean, History, Culture, Politics, Economics
• Number of Scholarship Recipients:
  5 students per year
• Application Period:
  Every Fall semester, International Admissions
• Funding:
  Tuition waved for 2 academic years, Living expenses KRW 600,000 per month, Round-trip airfare up to KRW 1,000,000, Korean language training expenses for 2 terms

http://useoul.edu/news/news0101_view.jsp?idx=128721Choi

Denmark: PhD Scholarships in Engineering, University of Southern Denmark

Ph.D.-Scholarships
The Faculty of Engineering

A number of Ph.D.-scholarships at the Faculty of Engineering will be available as of 1st September 2008.

Information about the research areas at the faculty can be found at our homepage: http://www.sdu.dk/tek/

The scholarships may be sought by students who wish to obtain a PhD degree, either without or with a previous Master’s degree, and who have agreed on a PhD project with a supervisor employed at the
Faculty of Engineering.

For applicants with a relevant Master’s degree, the scholarship will be for three years of study.

The applications are evaluated based on a number of criteria: the quality of the applicant (publications, grades, references, etc.), the quality of the project, and the degree of co-financing (by the supervisor, a Ph.D.-school, or the applicant). Special consideration will be given to projects with relation to the strategic research areas of the faculty. However, some scholarships will be based on an open competition among the applicants.

The scolarships will be awarded within the Research Training Programmes at the Faculty:

• Robotics
• Energy Efficient and Environmentally Efficient Technologies
• Functional Materials and Nanotechnology
• Applied Mathematical Modelling
• Product Design and Innovation

The scholarship is salaried in accordance with the agreement on salaried Ph.D. students between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Association) or for students without a master degree in accordance with the SU-law (the Danish State Education Grant and Loan Scheme Authority), and

Further information about the Ph.D.-study can be found at the homepage of Faculty: http://www.sdu.dk/tek/

The application is to be made using the official application form, which can be downloaded from the homepage of the Faculty of Engineering or can be requested from the faculty secretariat. Please note that before sending in an application you must have defined a PhD. project together with a supervisor at the Faculty of Engineering, who must co-sign your application together with the Department Head.

Please send three copies of the application and enclosures, marked “Position no 084061″, to the university of Southern Denmark, the Faculty of Engineering, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M.

The application must be at the faculty 1st August 2008 at 12 noon, at the latest.

Application Deadline: 01/08/2008

Belgium: PhD position in Applied Mathematics, University of Antwerp

PhD position in Applied Mathematics - Project: Design of new models and techniques for high performance financial applications

The University of Antwerp is a knowledge centre with 3.400 employees involved in ground-breaking and innovative research of international standing. The university takes special care to ensure optimum support and supervision of students, and pays constant attention to educational innovation. The University is an autonomous pluralistic institution that is committed to the enhancement of an open, democratic and multicultural society, and it pursues an equal opportunities policy.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is seeking to fill in the following full time vacancy (m/f): PhD position in Applied Mathematics

Assignment:

• you prepare a PhD thesis in the domain of Numerical Analysis
• you take up a limited teaching duty.

Research:
The research lies within the FWO group project Design of new models and techniques for high performance financial applications. This project is concerned with new models and techniques for robustly and efficiently pricing modern financial products, in particular exotic options. To this purpose we investigate numerical methods for partial differential equations that form multi-dimensional extensions of the celebrated Black-Scholes equation. The nature of the research is both theoretical (analysis and design of methods) and practical (implementation and performance analysis of the methods).

Profile:

• you have a masters degree in mathematics
• last year students can apply
• you can show excellent study results
• you have knowledge of and experience with numerical methods for (time-dependent, partial) differential equations and share an interest in mathematical price models for modern financial products such as options.

We offer:

• a scholarship for a period of four years
• starting date is in 2008
• position is open also to non-EU citizens.

Interested?
Please send your CV, including study results, with an accompanying motivational letter to prof. Karel in t Hout, email:Karel.intHout[ at ]ua.ac.be, phone +32 (0)3 265 38 97.

The Netherlands : 2 PhD researchers in Lithospere Dynamics

Utrecht University

(1,0 fte)
(Utrecht), 38 hours per week

Job description
Function title: 2 PhD researchers in Lithospere Dynamics
Starting June 1st 2008, we seek to fill two new PhD positions in our team at Utrecht University. The PhD research projects emphasize quantitative modelling as a means to better understand solid earth processes, Focus of the first PhD project is on strain localization (damage zones) in the development of faults, shear zones and plate boudaries. The second PhD project focuses on the imprint of Cenozoic subduction and collision on the Anatolian region.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We seek outstanding individuals with a recent MSc or equivalent degree, who can demonstrate an excellent background in mathematics and physics, and specifically continuum mechanics. Proficiency in at least one modern computer language is a necessity. Experience with tools for the numerical solution of partial differential equations is appreciated. The successful candidate is able to demonstrate an interest in Earth processes and in geophysical and geological observations. She/he communicates easily in English, both verbally and in writing.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
Utrecht University
Faculty of Geosciences
The faculty of Geosciences offers a wide spectrum of education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and antroposphere. The Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation is a research institute and aims to support the search for sustainable development and innovation through the development of knowledge, methods and instruments. Four research groups participate in the institute: Science, Technology and Society (Faculty of Science), Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies and Policy, and the department of Innovation Studies (DIS; faculty of Geosciences).

The Geodynamics Research Group is an internationally acclaimed team of scientists, headed by Professor Rinus Wortel and Professor Wim Spakman, that focuses on lithosphere and mantle processes, in particular in the Mediterranean region. The Department of Earth Sciences encompasses the full spectrum of Solid Earth Sciences and currently hosts an international group of about 100 PhD’s and post-doctoral researchers.

2 PhD researchers in Lithospere Dynamics

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
Successful candidates will be offered a full-time PhD position for a period of four years, with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary starts at € 2,000.- in the first year and increases to € 2,558.- in the fourth year and is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 6.4%. We also offer a pension scheme, a health insurance allowance and flexible employment conditions. The PhD candidates will be based at the Department of Earth Sciences of the Faculty of Geosciences.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Prof Dr Rinus Wortel
E-mail address: wortel@geo.uu.nl

Or Dr Rob Govers
E-mail address: govers@geo.uu.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.geo.uu.nl/homegeosciences/25388main.html)
• Research Tectonophysics (http://www.geo.uu.nl/Research/Tectonophysics)

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-09-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Faculty of Geosciences
Personnel Department

P.O. Box 80115
3508 TC Utrecht

E-mail: peno@geo.uu.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 72106.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD-researcher on a project entitled 'Molecular dissection of a lipid pump involved in membrane vesiculation'

Utrecht University

(Utrecht), 38 hours per week

Job description
Function title: PhD-researcher on a project entitled “Molecular dissection of a lipid pump involved in membrane vesiculation”

A central dogma in cell biology is that membrane vesicle formation is driven by the assembly of cytosolic coat proteins. Yet recent work shows that a group of putative lipid transporters also plays a critical role in this process. These so-called P4 ATPases are essential for creating membrane lipid asymmetry and form heteromeric complexes with members of the Cdc50 protein family.

The group of Joost Holthuis offers a PhD student position to dissect the working mechanism of the P4 ATPase/CDC50 class of lipid pumps and to investigate how these activities contribute to membrane vesiculation. The experimental approach will encompass a powerful combination of biochemical, biophysical and genetic methods. The successful applicant will join a young, highly motivated and international team of researchers with expertise in membrane protein chemistry, lipid enzymology, yeast genetics and molecular cell biology. The project is part of an interdisciplinary collaboration with the group of Dr Leo Klomp at the Utrecht Medical Center, who pioneers diseases that are due to defective P4 ATPases. The project is funded generously by the High Potential Program of Utrecht University and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research NWO.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for an ambitious and interactive individual with a Master degree in (bio)chemistry, biology or (bio)physics. Skills in protein and/or lipid chemistry would be advantageous, but are not obligatory; perseverance and the aspiration to work in a stimulating environment are more important.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
Utrecht University
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

Institute of Biomembranes

The Institute of Biomembranes www.biomembranes.nl is an interdisciplinary research institute and graduate school at Utrecht University, accommodating 18 research groups from the faculties of Science (Biology and Chemistry), Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. Its scientific mission focuses on the following three themes:
(1) structure, function and organization of lipids and proteins in biological membranes;
(2) biogenesis of membranes and the transport and sorting of lipids and proteins;
(3) the role of biomembranes in signal transduction via membrane receptors, cell-cell-, and cell-matrix interactions.

In the group of Dr Joost Holthuis, Department of Chemistry, a position is available for a PhD-researcher on a project entitled “Molecular dissection of a lipid pump involved in membrane vesiculation”

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Minimum 1 year and maximum 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
We offer a full-time position for minimum 1 year and maximum 4 years. Your gross salary starts with € 2,000.- per month in the first year and amount to € 2,558.- in the fourth year of employment.

The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 6,4% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions in which you may trade salary for vacation days or vice versa. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr Joost Holthuis
Telephone number: 31 (0)30 253 6630
E-mail address: j.c.holthuis@uu.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.biomembranes.nl/)
• Further information on our research and research environment (http://www.me.chem.uu.nl/groupmembers/joost/holthuis.html)

Application
You can apply for this job before 15-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Faculty of Science
P&O

Please send by email

E-mail: Science.Peno@uu.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 65813.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology

Wageningen University and Research centre Chairgroup Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management

Wageningen, 6700 AA (Gelderland), 38 hours per week

Job description
Aquatic sediments in industrialized countries often are highly polluted. The high costs for remediation of such polluted sediments often lead to stagnation of maintenance of the water system and beneficial reuse of sediments. Recently it was shown that high affinity sorbents (for instance natural black carbon or manufactured activated carbon) added to sediments are able to bind organic pollutants very effectively.
The main objective of this project, which is financed by STW, is to develop safe technologies to reduce the risks of contaminated sediments to safe limits, using such carbon additions.
The project requires two PhD researchers and a technician (1 full time equivalent) who will closely cooperate in several subprojects along two parallel research lines. One PhD will work at Envrionmental Technology, the other PhD will work at the Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management group.

The work at Aquatic Ecology & Water Quality will be directed to chemical and ecotoxicological aspects of addition of activated carbon to sediment. Bioassays to assess effects of these additions will be performed. Flux measurements aim at assessing effects of interactions with organic matter and type of contamination. Modeling and experiments at field scale will be used for a process design. The process design is directed to implementation of new technologies by the end-users, who participate in the funding of the project.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
An environmental chemist with affinity for bioassays, accurate laboratory worker, excellent writing skills, excellent communicative skills, strong orientation to team work, affinity for applied work.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
Wageningen University and Research centre
Chairgroup Aquatic Ecology and Waterqualitymanagement

Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 18 months
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
We offer you a full-time position for a period of 18 months with a possibility of extension for 30 months. Gross salary per month € 2000,00 in the first year rising to € 2558,00 per month in the fourth year.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dhr. B. Koelmans
Telephone number: 0317-483201
E-mail address: bart.koelmans@wur.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 20-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Wageningen Universiteit
Afdeling HRM
J Cobben
Postbus 47
6700 AA Wageningen

E-mail: promovendivac.esg@wur.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT-PROM-08-CWK-2-E.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Methodology and Statistics

Tilburg University Department of Methodology and Statistics

Tilburg, 5000 LE (Noord-Brabant), 38 hours per week

Job description
TITEL PROJECT
Test Construction Using Marginal Models

PHD PROJECT.
Core of the project: This project is mainly concerned with statistical modelling, matrix algebra, programming and data analysis.
Content description: Mokken scale analysis is an important statistical tool for the construction of psychological tests and multi-item questionnaires as they are used commonly in sociology, marketing and health-related quality of life measurement. Until recently, for important parts of the method statistical significance tests were unavailable, but Van der Ark, Croon, and Sijtsma (Psychometrika, in press) showed that these tests may be derived using so-called marginal models. The marginal modelling approach substantially increases the possibilities of Mokken scale analysis, but so far it has only been developed for short tests consisting of dichotomous items (e.g., correct/incorrect scoring). This proposal aims at extending the approach to longer tests and polytomous items (e.g., rating-scale scoring), and at developing a user-friendly software package for test and questionnaire construction based on marginal modelling.
Statistical approach: In this project, analytical derivations (derivations of test statistics and parameter estimators), simulation studies, and statistical analysis of empirical data are used to answer the various research questions.

The project is funded by NWO. The full description of the project is available upon request. Contact the initiators of the project (listed hereunder) to obtain a full description.

REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are invited for an appointment as a PhD in methodology and statistics at the department of Methodology and Statistics. As a PhD you will do a literature search, develop statistical and psychometric models, apply the methods to empirical data, and develop user-friendly software. The PhD will present papers at conferences and write papers for international journals to be included in a Ph.D. dissertation.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for a candidate with a thorough knowledge of statistics, statistical modelling and programming; and a demonstrable interest in research methods, psychometrics, and/or econometrics. The candidate has a master degree in a relevant subject, is ambitious, is able to work independently, and is willing to cooperate closely with fellow researchers.
Also, the candidate has to speak and write in English at a level that is sufficient for conducting and reporting on scientific research. Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage but not a prerequisite.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Behaviour and Society)

Organization
Tilburg University
Department of Methodology and Statistics
Tilburg University is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences are organized around the themes of Health, Organization, and Relations between State, Citizen, and Society. The faculty’s inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.

The Department of Methodology and Statistics is responsible for teaching methodology and statistics to students of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Central in its research program are the study, development, and application of latent variable models. Among these models are latent class models, item response models, and linear structural equation models. One of the major themes is the research on marginal models. The Department’s research program is part of the national graduate school Interuniversity Graduate School for Psychometrics and Sociometrics (IOPS)

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1 3 years
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

dr. L.A. van der Ark
Telephone number: 31 13 4662286
E-mail address: a.vdrark@uvt.nl

Or dr. M.A. Croon
Telephone number: 31 13 4662284
E-mail address: m.a.croon@uvt.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.tilburguniversity.nl)
• About the function (http://www.tilburguniversity.nl/vacancies/4000817.html)

Application
You can apply for this job before 20-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Universiteit van Tilburg
drs.M. Marcel van Ieperen managing director
Postbus 90153
5000 LE Tilburg

E-mail: pz-fsw@uvt.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT 400.08.17.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Role of black carbon in sediment risk reduction

Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group

Wageningen, 6703 HD (Gelderland), 38 hours per week

Job description
Aquatic sediments in industrialized countries often are highly polluted. The high costs for remediation of such polluted sediments often lead to stagnation of maintenance of the water system and beneficial reuse of sediments. Recently it was shown that high affinity sorbents (for instance natural black carbon or manufactured activated carbon) added to sediments are able to bind organic pollutants very effectively.
The main objective of this project, which is financed by STW, is to develop safe technologies to reduce the risks of contaminated sediments to safe limits, using such carbon additions.
The project requires two PhD researchers assisted by a technician (1 full time equivalent) who will closely cooperate in several subprojects along two parallel research lines. One PhD will work at Envrionmental Technology , the other PhD will work at the Aquatic Ecology and Water quality management group.
The work at Environmental Technology will be directed to kinetic aspects on risk by addition of black carbon to contaminated sediment. Measurements on the flux of contaminants from sediment to activated carbon will be performed to increase insight in transport phenomena of organic pollutants in sediment. Modelling and experiments at field scale will be used for a process design. The process design is directed to implementation of new technologies by the end-users, who participate in the funding of the project.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
MSc in Environmental technology or Bioprocess engineering with affinity for linking laboratory results to modeling approaches for environmental samples, excellent writing skills, excellent communicative skills, strong orientation to team work, affinity for applied work.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Agriculture)

Organization
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group
AFSG is the organisation for development and transfer of knowledge in the field of sustainable applications of agro-components for safe and healthy food and non-food products.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1,5 2,5 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
We offer you a full-time position for a period of 18 months with a possibility of extension for 30 months. Gross salary per month € 2000,00 in the first year rising to € 2558,00 per month in the fourth year.
Hay-profile: Promovendus

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Tim Grotenhuis
Telephone number: 0317-484241
E-mail address: tim.grotenhuis@wur.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 20-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Wageningen UR - AFSG
bode 118
K. den Ridder
P.O. Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
Netherlands
E-mail: afsg-vacatures@wur.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AFSG 08.051.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD position in Community and Conservation Ecology

University of Groningen

(1,0 fte)
(Groningen), 38 hours per week

Job description
Function title: PhD position in Community and Conservation Ecology
at the Community and Conservation Ecology Group. Salt marshes are important habitats along the Dutch coast, providing feeding grounds for migratory birds. Salt-marsh development is however increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and overgrazing by increasing goose populations. Salt marshes that are not grazed by geese are well able to keep up with sea-level rise by reducing hydrodynamic energy and trapping sediment with their tall vegetation. It is unknown how shortening of the vegetation by grazing reduces the ability to trap sediment and keep up with sea-level rise. Trapping sediment enhances the fertility of the marsh, and thereby canopy height. Too tall vegetation hampers bird grazing. Hence, implications of sea-level rise for the ability of salt marshes to continue to support large populations of grazing birds are also unknown thus far. The present project will unravel how the interacting effect of marsh vegetation, hydrodynamics, sediment trapping and bird grazing affect the resilience of marshes as important grazer habitats. This will be done by combining ecological end physical field studies, flume experiments and hydrodynamic modeling.

Hence we are looking for two PhD candidates:
PhD 1 will study experimentally the mechanistic relationship between vegetation characteristics and the sediment trapping and erosion prevention by vegetation, and how this interaction is affected by (1) grazing intensity, (2) sediment fertility and (3) the patchiness in the landscape structure. The PhD candidate will be appointed at the University of Groningen.
PhD 2 will experimentally study the large-scale hydrodynamic and sedimentation processes and incorporate the results in a spatial-explicit hydrodynamic model that can be used to predict long-term, large-scale dynamics of salt marshes. The PhD candidate will be appointed at NIOO-Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology in Yerseke, Zeeland.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for a candidate for PhD position 1 with a masters or equivalent degree in biology with preferably a strong background in plant ecology and plant-herbivore interactions. The project is expected to be very demanding and it is essential that the candidate has a very creative mind and affinity with field experiments. The candidate should have a strong interest in statistics and data mining of large datasets. Knowledge of geomorphology is desirable. Good proficiency of the English language is essential. The candidate is supposed to attend a few graduate courses and assist in teaching (10% of time).

PhD position 2 will be advertised shortly (end of June) by the NIOO (www.nioo.knaw.nl).
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of the Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.

The university provides a career advisory service for partners of new staff who move to Groningen.

The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Community and Conservation Ecology
The Community and Conservation Ecology Group is part of the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES) in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Groningen. Our research focuses on understanding the structure, dynamics and diversity of ecological communities. Our research is done in both temperate and tropical ecosystems, with an emphasis on coastal salt marshes, inland grasslands, and tropical savannas. We aim at both progressing the fundamental understanding of ecological communities, as well as applying this knowledge to conservation of biological diversity. The group provides a lively, internationally oriented, scientific environment with excellent facilities.

Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2000 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2558 gross per month in the fourth year. Objective of the temporary four years position is a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, together comprising the PhD thesis leading to the granting of the PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year there is an evaluation for feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Prof.dr. J.P. Bakker
E-mail address: j.p.bakker@rug.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.rug.nl)
• About the Community and Conservation Ecology Group (http://www.rug.nl/biologie/onderzoek/onderzoekGroepen/cocon/index)

Application
You can apply for this job before 11-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

University of Groningen
Personnel and Organization Office

P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vmp@rug.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT208147.

Further Details

The Netherlands : Ph.D. students in Finance/Financial Economics

Universiteit Maastricht

Ph.D. students in Finance/Financial Economics at the Maastricht University and LIFE
Maastricht, 6200 MD (Limburg), 38 hours per week

Job description
Function title: AT2008.130.Ph.D. students in Finance/Financial Economics
Full-time Ph.D. students for research projects in the areas of Real Estate; Art Finance; Forward Premium Puzzle, Political, Economic and Financial Instability Risks: Role and Implications for International Financial Markets; Bank Lending; and Banking System Stability.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
Ideally an MPhil or MSc in Economics, Finance, or Econometrics; interest in empirical research; strong academic record; excellent knowledge of English. Desire to pursue an academic career or to continue a career doing research in Financial Economics in the public/private sector.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Economics)
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Economics)

Organization
Universiteit Maastricht
Universiteit Maastricht (UM) the youngest university in the Netherlands, is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Currently UM has around 11500 students and 3,000 employees. Reflecting the universitys strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of law, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Faculty of Humanities and Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 2 years of intensive coursework followed by 3 years of research
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
Candidates with an MPhil or specialized MSc degree might qualify for a partial exemption from the coursework.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

S. Kleimeier
Telephone number: 0031-43-3883733
E-mail address: s.kleimeier@finance.unimaas.nl

Or Finance Department secretariat
Telephone number: 0031-43-3883838
E-mail address: life@finance.unimaas.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Universiteit Maastricht
FEBA, HR-department

P.O.Box 616
6200 MD Maastricht
The Netherlands
E-mail: recruitmentfeba@efb.unimaas.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT2008.130.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Biologist / Physical Geographer / (Civil) Hydraulic Engineer

NIOO - KNAW

The NIOO is looking for a PhD Biologist / physical geographer / (civil) hydraulic engineer
(Zeeland), 38 hours per week

Job description
Function title: PhD
Salt marshes are important habitats along the Dutch coast, providing feeding grounds for migratory birds. Salt-marsh development is however increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and overgrazing by increasing goose populations. Salt marshes that are not grazed by geese are well able to keep up with sea-level rise by reducing hydrodynamic energy and trapping sediment within their tall vegetation. It is unknown how shortening of the vegetation by grazing reduces the ability to trap sediment and keep up with sea-level rise. Trapping sediment enhances the fertility of the marsh, and thereby canopy height. Too tall vegetation hampers bird grazing. Hence, implications of sea-level rise for the ability of salt marshes to continue to support large populations of grazing birds are also unknown thus far. Present project will unravel how the interacting effect of marsh vegetation, hydrodynamics, sediment trapping and bird grazing affect the future development of salt marshes.
You will study experimentally the large-scale hydrodynamic and sedimentation processes and incorporate the results in a spatially explicit hydrodynamic model that can be used to predict long-term, large-scale dynamics of salt marshes in relation to grazing intensity, sediment fertility and patchiness.

Requirements
Required education/skills:We are looking for a biologist or physical geographer or (civil) hydraulic engineer with a strong interest in the interaction between biological and physical processes as may occur in salt marshes. The candidate must be able to design and carry out experiments, and to analyse the results. Experience with mathematical modeling is a strong asset. Management skills and a good feeling for statistical interpretation of the results is essential to the job. Candidates should be capable to clearly report on their results, both orally and in writing. Candidates have in depth knowledge of their own research area, and are willing to extend this knowledge in other research areas that are crucial to the job. Supervision will be given by a multidisciplinary team of scientists.
The research should result in the successful defense of a PhD thesis.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
NIOO - KNAW
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a top research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). It comprises three centers: the Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology (CEME) in Yerseke, the Centre for Limnology (CL) in Nieuwersluis, and the Centre for Terrestrial Ecology (CTE) in Heteren. Mission of the NIOO (http://www.nioo.knaw.nl) is to carry out excellent fundamental and strategic research in ecology.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: The appointment will be initially for 1 year.
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The appointment will be initially for 1 year, which will be extended to 4 year provided that the applicant has proven to be well suited for the job. The project will start fall 2008.

The gross salary starts at € 2000,- per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of € 2558,- per month in the 4th year.

Location:
The Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology (NIOO-CEME) in Yerseke, The Netherlands.

Additional Information
Additional information can be obtained through the following link:

• About the organization (http://www.nioo.knaw.nl)

Application
You can apply for this job before 29-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

NIOO
Prof. Dr.C.H.R. Heip
PO Box 140
4400 AC Yerseke
The Netherlands
E-mail: a.visser@nioo.knaw.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT2915.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD candidates and Postdoc positions in Biomedical Optics

VU University Amsterdam Faculty of Sciences

f/m
Amsterdam, 1081HV (Noord-Holland), hours per week

Job description
Function title: PhD candidates and Postdoc positions in Biomedical Optics
The VU University Amsterdam is one of the leading institutions for higher education in Europe. It is part of international science networks and collaborates with many major universities throughout the world. The Faculty of Sciences consists of four departments, with 650 employees including researchers, lecturers, full- and part-time professors. In the group of Physics and Astronomy, we have vacancy for a research position in Biomedical Optics.

The Rotterdam Eye Hospital was founded in 1874. With 13.500 Operating Room visits, 140.000 out-patient visits and a staff of 350 employees the hospital is devoted to providing patients with high quality care. As a Centre of Excellence and the only independent Eye Hospital in the Netherlands, innovation and quality are very important. Scientific research is expanding through the establishment of the Rotterdam Ophthalmic Institute, ROI. At the ROI, we have vacancy for a research position in Biomedical Optics.

Summary
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) are non-invasive medical imaging techniques based on interferometry. Compared to other medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonances, x-rays or ultrasound, OCT and OFDI can reach much higher resolution. In the clinic these high-resolution images can be used for better diagnosis and monitoring of disease

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for PhD students and postdocs motivated to develop and innovate OCT-based medical imaging and microscopy. The research will include the development of functional imaging (Doppler and polarization sensitive OCT/OFDI), the improvement of sensitivity with adaptive optics, the development of advanced automated imaging analysis techniques, optical coherence phase microscopy (OCPM), CARS microscopy and sub-diffraction-limited fluorescence microscopy. There will be a strong focus on the translation to clinical applications of the techniques. Clinical projects involve early diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma, the two leading causes of blindness in the industrialized world.

Research project
The successful applicant will be involved in one or more of the aforementioned topics, which include development of OCT/OFDI systems, application of these systems in patient studies, and the development of novel microscopy techniques. He or she will construct laser sources, build optical systems, develop measurement and analysis software, and integrate these components into imaging platforms that will impact healthcare.

Requirements
We are looking for candidates with a MS or PhD. in physics or related disciplines and outstanding experimental skills motivated to improve patient care by innovating advanced imaging techniques from bench to bedside. Experience with (fiber)optics, lasers, microscopy, and/or computer programming (labview, C, C ) is an advantage.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Post-doctorates(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Sciences
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, has been a renowned cultural, scientific and commercial centre for many centuries. It was here, in 1880, that the VU University Amsterdam first opened its doors to students. VU stands for 'Vrije Universiteit' (dutch), which means 'Free University'. Here, 'free' refers to freedom of state and church interference. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam was established in 1880 by orthodox protestants. Nowadays it aims to be inspiring, innovative and involved.

Throughout the past century, the university has continued to expand. It now comprises twelve faculties and has teaching facilities for 18,000 students.

Click here for an overview of faculties and institutes: http://www.english.vu.nl/About_the_VU/

The university campus and university hospital are situated in the south-western part of Amsterdam, one of the most dynamic and fast-growing business districts in the Netherlands. The international airport of Schiphol-Amsterdam is 10 kilometres away, just 8 minutes by train. With more than fifty undergraduate (or bachelor’s) programmes and almost a hundred postgraduate (or master’s) programmes, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a wide choice of study options. The programmes are of a high quality, the atmosphere is very conducive to study, and the teaching staff is easily accessible.

The Faculty of Sciences offers 9 Bachelor’s and 12 Master’s programmes within the disciplines Computer Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Chemistry & Pharmacochemistry and Mathematics. The education programme is strongly connected to the various research activities. The faculty offers excellent research facilities in highly specialized laboratories as well as unique computing facilities.

Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: temporary
Additional conditions of employment:
Appointment
The appointment as a PhD will be initially for one year. If the results are successful the appointed period will be prolonged for four years, intended to result in a dissertation.
The appointment as a Post doc will be initially for one year. If the results and the request for funding are successful, the appointed period will be prolonged. Conditions of employment are available upon request.

Salary
The gross monthly salary will depend on experience and qualifications in accordance with the salary regulations for academic personnel at the VU or Rotterdam Eye Hospital.

Additional Information
Additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.vu.nl)
• About the department (http://www.few.vu.nl/en/index.php)
• About the function (http://www.vu.nl/vacatures)

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

VU University Amsterdam
Faculty of Sciences

De Boelelaan 1083a
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
E-mail: few-vacatures@few.vu.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 1.2008.00125/126.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD position: Low Temperature-Adapted Yeast

Delft University of Technology Applied Sciences

Delft, (Zuid-Holland), 38 hours per week

Job description
This project aims at understanding how evolutionary adaptation to temperature cycles has contributed to shaping the regulation and kinetic properties of the metabolic network of yeast. Adaptation to temperature will be addressed at multiple levels, both at a genome-wide scale and, with a greater level of detail, by focusing on a specific pathway, namely glycolysis. This central pathway for sugar metabolism will be investigated by a multi-level ‘systems’ approach. This will involve incorporation of temperature in kinetic models of this key metabolic pathway. In addition to providing an understanding of core regulatory principles in industrial microorganisms, the research will contribute to improvements for specific industrial applications of yeast that involve dynamic temperature profiles. The project will be carried out within the Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
Applicants should have a strong background in both chemical/biochemical engineering and microbial physiology and should have an MSc degree, preferably in industrial or metabolic biotechnology. Related engineering or life science-oriented disciplines could be considered as well. In addition, the candidate should have a keen interest in experimental research in the field of industrial fermentation as related to theoretical developments, e.g. mathematical modelling. Candidates are expected to have good communication skills and team spirit. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is a requirement for this position.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers

Organization
Delft University of Technology
Applied Sciences
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognized level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

The Department of Biotechnology is a world leader in the field of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology. The department’s Bioprocess Technology section has broad experience in modelling bioreactor systems as well as microbial metabolism. More recently, the research interest has shifted towards developing new experimental hardware, analytical protocols and theoretical tools that allow the in-vivo analysis of the responses of microbial cells to environmental and genetic disturbances. The research focuses on primary carbon metabolism and its regulation.
Date of entry: 30/05/2008

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The successful candidate will be employed full-time by TU Delft for a fixed period of 4 years within which he or she is expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis). The monthly salary for a PhD will be to a maximum of € 2558 gross in the fourth year.TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customized compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Delft University of Technology strives to increase the number of women in higher academic positions; women are therefore especially encouraged to apply.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr. W.M. van Gulik
Telephone number: 31(0)15-2784629
E-mail address: secr-bpt-tnw@tudelft.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.tudelft.nl)
• Technische Universiteit Delft (http://www.tudelft.nl)

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-08-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Dr. W.M. van Gulik/Biotechnology
E-mail: secr-bpt-tnw@tudelft.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber TNWBT08-045.

Further Details

The Netherlands : 2 PhD Positions Developing Fire-Resistant Steel Using Synchrotron Radiation

Delft University of Technology Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Delft, (Zuid-Holland), 38 hours per week

Job description
The investigation into the disaster at New York City’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 showed that the towers collapsed as a result of fires with high temperatures, which weakened the steel. The aim of this project is to improve the fire-resistance of steel by observing and understanding the changes in the interior structure of steel during a simulated fire in real time by using synchrotron radiation. The problem that scientist are currently facing is that it is not known exactly how the structure of steel on the level of nanometres to micrometres changes during a fire. In other words, there is a need to study the evolution of the microstructure of steel during a simulated fire on the level of individual grains in the interior of the material. The only tool that is available for this purpose involves illuminating the steel with ultra-bright, high-energy synchrotron radiation [see S.E. Offerman et al., Science 298 (2002) 1003]. Direct observations of the changing microstructure will lead to understanding of these processes and thus provide an opportunity to manipulate the structure of steel and thereby improve its strength at high temperatures. The two PhD positions are within the framework of a Vidi grant, i.e., a talent grant from the Dutch technology foundation STW, and a long-term project with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
The positions require an MSc degree in technical or natural sciences. Candidates with an MSc degree in materials science, metallurgy, physics, chemistry, or mathematics are preferred. Skills with complex experimental equipment and/or computer programming are preferred. Candidates should be prepared to work (for short periods) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France and at the Technical University of Denmark.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers

Organization
Delft University of Technology
Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognized level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering focuses on multidisciplinary activities involving research on materials of relevance to industry and society in the medium and long term. Research ranges from fundamental understanding to implementation of technology. The section is involved in the development of a physical basis for industrial processes in which the metallic microstructure is formed or changed, focusing on solid-state processes in the bulk of the material.
Date of entry: 27/05/2008

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 1500 - 2000

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2000
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home, and the option of assembling a customized compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

S. E. Offerman
Telephone number: 31 (0)15-2782198
E-mail address: S.E.Offerman@tudelft.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.tudelft.nl)
• Technische Universiteit Delft (http://www.tudelft.nl)

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

S. E. Offerman/Materials Science & Engineering
E-mail: application-3mE@tudelft.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 3ME08-21.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD fellow, Faculty of Philosophy, Project 1: The Resistance of the World

Leiden University Philosophy

Leiden, 2300 RA (The Netherlands), 38 hours per week

Job description
Virtually every historian of science working today acknowledges that the world plays a part in determining scientists’ conclusions. There is less clarity and consensus about the ways in which the resistance of the world to scientists’ proposals can and should be conceptualized in historiography of science. How, in historians’ accounts, does the world come to influence the trajectory of science? How do historians portray this influence as being mediated, partly overridden or otherwise affected by what are known as “social factors”? Project 1 will address these issues. This project will construct an inventory of possible conceptions of the resistance of the world to scientists’ proposals, give a philosophical discussion of the merits and shortcomings of each, evaluate the existing history of science literature for its use of these conceptions, develop an overall philosophical account of how the resistance of the world to scientists’ claims and theories should be conceived, and discuss how this account can be implemented in historiography.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

• has an excellent academic track record, including an MA degree or equivalent in philosophy of science, history of science, or a related field;
• has a thorough knowledge of recent trends in historiography of science and of relevant debates in philosophy of science and social studies of science;
• has a demonstrable affinity with the research programme and the potential to develop into an independent academic researcher;
• is highly motivated to follow the PhD programme of the Faculty of Philosophy, Leiden University, and is committed to completing the dissertation within four years;
• has a good, active command of spoken and written English.

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Language & Culture)

Organization
Leiden University
Philosophy

Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional Information
Additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

• About the organization (http://www.leiden.edu/)
• About the department (http://www.filosofie.leidenuniv.nl/index.php3?m=75&c=290&garb=0.5903211547734672&session=)
• About the function (http://www.vacatures.leidenuniv.nl/index.php3?m=1&c=1824)

Application
You can apply for this job before 21-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Philosophy
Matthias de Vrieshof 4
DrsR.E. Speelman
Postbus 9515
2300 RA Leiden
Netherlands
E-mail: r.e.speelman@let.leidenuniv.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 8-125.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD-researcher Molecular Biophysics & Microbiology (1.0 fte)

Utrecht University, Faculty of Science

(1.0 fte)
(Utrecht), 38 hours per week

Job description
Filamentous fungi are complex organisms with a high degree of differentiation. Differentiation is clear when one takes a closer look at a mushroom. Its morphology is clearly different from that of the mycelium that grows in the substrate but also within the mushroom several tissue types can be distinguished (cap, gills, spores, stem etc). Recently, the Microbiology group showed that the mycelium that feeds the spore producing mushrooms (or other spore producing structures) is also highly differentiated.
Differentiation in the fungal mycelium can be studied by a new method that was recently developed in the Molecular Biophysics group. This technique, called nonlinear spectral imaging microscopy, acquires images of the autofluorescence spectra of tissues and cells upon exposure to ultra-short pulses of near infra-red laser light via two-photon excitation. The autofluorescence spectrum contains, amongst others, information about the metabolic state of the tissue or cells. For instance, cancer cells can be discriminated from healthy cells by spectral imaging.

Within this project we will set up “microbial spectral imaging”. As a model, we will use the white button mushroom Agaricus bisporus and the mushroom Schizophyllum commune. Spectral images will be acquired during colonization of the substrate as well as of the tissue of mushrooms during their development. Fingerprints of the mycelia and tissues will be related to processes like growth and secretion. Software will be developed to be able to un-mix the fluorescence spectrum into the spectra of the individual autofluorescing components.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
The candidate should have a background in (bio)physics with an interest in biology and informatics. He should be enthusiastic, willing to work in a multidisciplinary team and willing to develop new skills. We aim to start the project in September 2008. However, the starting date is negotiable.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Food)

Organization
Utrecht University, Faculty of Science
The new Faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry and Mathematics. The Faculty is home to 3500 students and nearly 2000 staff and is internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The Faculty's academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

The PhD project is financed by the Dutch Technology Foundation and is a collaboration between the Molecular Biophysics group of the Department of Physics and the Microbiology group of the Department of Biology. The programme of the Molecular Biophysics group headed by Prof H.C. Gerritsen focuses on the application and development of novel fluorescence spectroscopy-based imaging methods as well as the characterization and development of luminescent labels. The technical developments by the group are to a great extent driven by biological and biophysical problems which cannot be imaged with conventional techniques. The programme of the Microbiology group headed by Prof.dr. H.A.B. Wösten focuses on growth and differentiation processes in fungi. Research lines include development of mushrooms and differentiation in the mycelium of fungal cell factories.

PhD-researcher Molecular Biophysics & Microbiology

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2500 - 3000
Salary: scale 08.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The candidate is offered a full-time position for four years. The gross salary is in the range between € 2,000.- per month in year 1 and € 2,558.- per month in year four. The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 6,4% per year. In addition we offer a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions in which you may trade salary for vacation days or vice versa.
Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The research group will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the project.

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Prof.dr H.A.B. Wösten
E-mail address: h.a.b.wosten@uu.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 30-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

University of Utrecht, Faculty of Science
Personnel Department

Postbus 80.010
3508 TA Utrecht
The Netherlands
E-mail: Science.PenO@uu.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 66802.

Further Details