UK : Newcastle University MPhil/PhD Partial Studentships

Archaeology, Ancient History, Classics, History, History of Medicine

Funding and Finance

School of Historical Studies

Closing Date: 31st July 2008

Details:

There are four partial postgraduate research studentships available in the School of Historical Studies.

The studentships are only available to students embarking upon their first year of study of a PhD or MPhil in a subject offered by the School - Archaeology, Ancient History, Classics, History or History of Medicine. The studentships are non-renewable in further years.

Each studentship covers tuition fees for one year only at UK/EU rates (part-time students may apply and spread their studentship over the first two years of part-time study). International students may apply, but an award will only be made at UK/EU tuition fee rates. An additional top-up sum may be added at the discretion of the Studentships Committee to assist with living expenses through the award of additional Faculty funding where available.

A condition of the studentships is that the award holders will undertake the following obligations:

1) Take the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Faculty module which qualifies postgraduate students to teach undergraduate students in Semester One of their programme of study

2) Undertake up to a total of 100 hours of appropriate unpaid work for the School during the course of the studentship (e.g. representing the School at postgraduate open days, assisting with undergraduate teaching and assessment).

How to Apply
Before submitting an application, you must have already applied and received an offer of a place for a MPhil or PhD in one of the following subject areas:

Archaeology
Ancient History or Classics
History
History of Medicine

You should submit a covering letter and two-page CV. Your covering letter should provide details of the proposed title and brief description of your proposed research topic with the name of your prospective supervisor in the School of Historical Studies. Your application should demonstrate an outstanding track record of academic achievement.

Applications should be sent to: SHIS Studentships Committee, c/o Sandra Fletcher, Postgraduate Secretary, School of Historical Studies, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU.

Deadline for Applications: 4pm on 31 July 2008

Candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application in early September.

To apply please click here.

Spain: PhD on Biologically Based Robotics, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Employer: Paul F.M.J.Verschure, Technology Department, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

PhD on biologically based robotics

We have 2 PhD positions in the field of robotics, biomimetics and computational neuroscience in the context of a EU founded project (NeuroCHEM: Biologically inspired computation for chemical sensing), starting now. This is an offer for full-time research positions. The selected candidates will work in a multidiciplinary environment at the Synthetic Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive Systems (SPECS) group at the Institute of Audiovisual Studies (IUA) at the University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.

Candidates are expected to have a strong mathematical background (engineering, physics, mathematics, etc), and an interest in neuroscience, neural networks, biologically inspired technology and robotics.

Experience with electronics and robotics, and strong programming skills (C++, matlab) will be appreciated. Candidates should be autonomous, creative and able to work in teams in a multidisciplinary environment. As part of their work, the candidates are expected to write high quality scientific papers, and to be involved in the management of the project (deliverables, reports, etc). Therefore a good written and spoken level of English is required.

For further information, contact Dr. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia

(email: sergi.bermudez[ at ]upf.edu // website: http://www.specs.upf.edu/).

Canada: MS and PhD Studentships in System Dynamics and Control, Ryerson University

The Department of Aerospace Engineering at Ryerson University has a strong and vibrant research programme with a focus on system design, dynamics, and control. Four Ph.D studentships are immediately available in the areas of Nonlinear Dynamics and Control, Orbit and Attitude Dynamics and Control, Formation Flying, Underactuated Systems, and Fault-Tolerant and Intelligent Control. The research will be supervised by Professor Krishna Kumar, Canada Research Chair and in collaborations with Canadian and American industries. The candidates will have an opportunity to work with these industries on real problems of practical significance.

The research involves theoretical and experimental work. The candidates should have a master’s/doctoral degree in Mathematics/ Aerospace /Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Computer
engineering. The candidates must have a strong background in mathematics, dynamics, and control. Experience with MATLAB is essential. Knowledge of orbital or attitude dynamics is desirable. The prospective candidates should send (preferably by email before July 28, 2008) their resumes along with names and contact information of three references as well as copies of research papers to:

Dr. Krishna Kumar, Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair
Department of Aerospace Engineering, Ryerson University
350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Tel: +1-416-979-5000 Ext. 4908; Fax: +1-416-979-5056
Email: kdkumar[ at ]ryerson.ca

Deadline: July 28, 2008.

UK : University of Huddersfield PhD Studentship in Robotic Abrasive Finishing Technology Development

Centre for Precision Technologies

Applications are invited for a fully funded three-year full-time research studentship leading to a PhD. This studentship is fully funded by the University of Huddersfield and is open to UK, EU and overseas candidates. The studentship offers a stipend of £10,000.00 tax-free per year as well as payment of tuition fees. The successful candidate will work on a research project in the field of "Robotic Abrasive Finishing Technology Development" under the supervision of Dr. Xun Chen in the Centre for Precision Technologies - a world renowned centre of precision engineering.

The project will develop a new generation abrasive finishing technology which will combine both advantages of grinding and polishing to simultaneously achieve high efficiency materials removal as grinding and excellent surface quality as polishing. The successful candidate will work closely with industrial partners to apply the new techniques to aerospace, energy and biomedicine productions

The candidates should have a good degree in mechanical manufacturing engineering, materials science, physics or other related disciplines. The candidate with work experience in machining process monitoring and control, robotics and artificial intelligence will be an advantage. We are looking for outstanding, highly motivated individuals with relevant background to work in our multidiscipline team.

Applicants should initially send a full C.V. to Dr Xun Chen, followed by sending a completed application form with 2 references. For further details, please contact Dr Xun Chen, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK.

Deadline for applications: 31 July 2008

Project to start: 1 September 2008 or thereafter as soon as possible.

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Germany : University of Heidelberg PhD-Research Fellowships

The Dialogue Between Cultures in the late Colonial Andean World

Transcultural Studies

The excellence initiative „Transcultural Studies“ of the Ruprecht-Karls-University in Heidelberg invites applications for three PhD-research fellowships for its junior-research-group The Dialogue Between Cultures in the late Colonial Andean World by Dr. Claudia Brosseder.

The interdisciplinary research group wants to investigate the interaction between South American and European scholars and Amerindian and Afro-American people. We are looking how scholars in the arts, sciences, theology, and in cultural practices construed cultural identities and how they got influenced by Amerindians.

These fellowships will be awarded to outstanding Latin Americanists interested in devoting their PhD-thesis to the research transcultural activities in Latin American History, and especially the Andes. Fellowships are open to scholars in History, the History of Science, Ethnography, Art-history, Religious studies, and Historical Archaeology from all countries. During the appointment, fellows will be expected to pursue independent research at Heidelberg and participate in the meetings of our research-group as well as in those of the larger community including twelve researchers, who will all investigate transcultural phenomena in different areas of the world. Three years in residence at the University of Heidelberg are expected. Funds for research are available. Knowledge of the German language is not required.

Applications from women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged. For further information please contact: Tstudies@listserv.uni-heidelberg.de.

Applicants must submit all of the following (including letters of recommendation) by August 22, 2008.

• A two-page cover letter indicating the applicant’s interests.
  
• A curriculum vitae.

Two letters of recommendation sent directly to Dekanat der Philosophischen Fakultät der Universität Heidelberg, Transcultural Studies, Projekt Dr. Claudia Brosseder, Voßstraße 2, Gebäude 4370, DE-69115 Heidelberg, Tstudies@listserv.uni-heidelberg.de

Please send the application material to this same address. We will not return the material we have received.

Fellowships awards will be announced in the first week of September 2008. Fellowships begin mid October 2008.

UK : University of Kent Industrial CASE Research Studentship

In-vitro dissolution and drug delivery

Medway School of Pharmacy associated with Colorcon Inc.

Development of an in-vitro testing method to be used for investigation of parandial effects on hydrophilic hypromellose matrix tablets

Dr Ali Nokhodchi (Universities of Kent and Greenwich) & Dr Ali R. Rajabi-Siahboomi (Colorcon Inc.)

The Medway School of Pharmacy is inviting applications for a distinguished three-year EPSRC Industrial CASE Ph.D. studentship commencing in September 2008. The studentship is open to UK. EU nationals would be eligible if they have been in UK for at least 3 years. Overseas students are eligible for this post if the student can demonstrate that they have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the previous three years (i.e. that they have had an unrestricted leave to stay and that their stay in the UK has not been restricted by a student and/or other visa, or condition). This is due to the nature of the funding and will attract an annual stipend of £12608.

It is documented that the extended release of drug from hydrophilic matrix tablets may be affected by co-administration of food. Changes of the tablet erosion have been reported as an important component for this effect. The aim of the Ph.D. project will be to identify the postprandial factors responsible for changes in tablet erosion and to develop predictive in-vitro test methods.

Candidates with an interest in drug delivery and pharmaceutical sciences are invited to apply. You will have obtained a Masters or B.Sc. (first or upper second class) or equivalent in pharmacy, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences or joint disciplines.

Applications, including a covering letter detailing research interests and aspirations, a detailed CV including names and contact details of two referees should be sent to Dr Ali Nokhodchi (E-mail:a.nokhodchi@kent.ac.uk or a.nokhodchi@gre.ac.uk Tel: 01634883846).

Closing date for application is 22 August 2008.

The Netherlands : PhD-Student (Medicine, Care and the Imperative of Inclusive Thinking)

University of Amsterdam Faculty of Humanities

Amsterdam, 1012 VT (Noord-Holland), 30 hours per week

Job description
PhD-Student (promovendus)
0.8 FTE for four years (full-time negotiable).

Medicine, Care and the Imperative of Inclusive Thinking

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

• the candidate should have completed a research master's degree in a relevant field, whether in history, the social sciences or cultural studies. In case the thesis has not yet been finished, the candidate should be able to certify when it will be completed.
• the candidate should have ample demonstrable experience in archival research and/or relevant theoretical training.
• a good publication record will be appreciated.
• willingness to work within a team is considered a plus.
• a dissertation must be completed by the end of the appointment.
• the successful candidate should possess excellent skills in writing and speaking in English, or acquire them within a year. If not fluent in Dutch already, he or she will have to be prepared to learning Dutch. The dissertation may be written in Dutch or in English.

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

Organization
University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Humanities
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is a university with an internationally acclaimed profile, located at the heart of the Dutch capital. As well as a world center for business and research, Amsterdam is a hub of cultural and media activities. The University of Amsterdam is a member of the League of European Research Universities.

The Faculty of Humanities undertakes teaching and research with a strong international orientation in a large number of disciplines within the field of language and culture. The faculty is situated in the centre of Amsterdam and maintains close contacts with many cultural institutions in the city. It employs almost a thousand staff members and its courses are attended by approximately 6,500 students.

Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: see below
Maximum hours per week: 30
Additional conditions of employment:
This is a temporary appointment for one year. Satisfactory performance is subject for an appointment for another three years. The gross monthly salary will range from € 2000 to € 2558 (scale P 0-3), based on a full-time appointment (38 hours a week).

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

Prof. dr. James Kennedy
Telephone number: 31 (0)20-525 3155
E-mail address: j.c.kennedy1@uva.nl

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

• About the organization (http://www.uva.nl/start.cfm/la=en/th=main)
• About the department (http://www.hum.uva.nl/english/home.cfm)
• About the function (http://www.uva.nl/vacatures/vacatures.cfm/E80DA4B8-1321-B0BE-A4E53FF3EACAB11C)

Application
You can apply for this job before 30-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Prof. drJ.F.T.M. van Dijck
Spuistraat 210
1012 VT Amsterdam
the Netherlands
E-mail: solliciteren2008-fgw@uva.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT 08-3062.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD-researcher 'Stable Isotope Geochemistry'

Utrecht University

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

Job description
Function title: PhD-researcher 'Stable Isotope Geochemistry'
We are currently looking for a candidate for a PhD position at Utrecht University concerning the project: 'Testing the robustness of the sulphur stable isotope biomarker and palaeoredox indicator for planetary exploration'.

Stable sulphur isotope ratios are likely to be a key tool in future planetary exploration missions for identifying possible traces of life, constraining atmospheric composition and surface redox conditions, especially on Mars where extensive sulphate deposits were recently discovered. To calibrate the extraterrestrial record it is of critical importance to explain the observed variation in terrestrial S isotopes through time. Calibration relies on the analysis of both sulphide and sulphate minerals, predominantly pyrite and baryte preserved in sedimentary rocks and typically metamorphosed to between lower greenschist (>300^oC, 0.1-0.5 GPa) and granulite facies (600-900^oC, 0.2-1.2 GPa). Recrystallization and interaction with other minerals and/or fluids during metamorphism can result in homogenization or modification of the S isotope signature. Impact metamorphism may also prove to be a problem in interpreting the Martian record. In this study we intend to quantify the effects of metamorphism on the preservation of original S isotopic variations in pyrite and baryte, by experimentally re-equilibrating natural and synthetic samples with fluids over a range of oxidizing and reducing conditions from Greenschist (350-5250C, 0.2-1.0 GPa) to Amphibolite facies (525-725^oC, 0.2-1.2 GPa). We will also investigate the effect of pressure jarosite alteration kinetics at 2-3 GPa. Experiments will employ high-pressure hydrothermal annealing and piston cylinder equipment. The specific aim is to assess over which planetary environments S isotopes can be used as a robust biomarker and palaeoredox indicator. We expect our results to give an impetus to future exploration of stable isotopic variations on Mars or other extraterrestrial sites.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with an MSc or equivalent degree in Earth Sciences or a related field. Experience in stable isotope geochemistry, mineralogy and experimental rock deformation would be an advantage. He/she communicates easily in English, both verbally as in writing.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
Utrecht University
The Faculty of Geosciences offers education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a population of 2200 students (BSc and MSc) and 575 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments:

1. Innovation and Environmental Sciences
2. Earth Sciences
3. Physical Geography
4. Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning.

The Utrecht Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of Biogeology, Geochemistry, Geology, Geophysics and Hydrogeology. Research is integrated into two major programmes, embedding five interdisciplinary themes addressing the structure and dynamics of the planetary interior, the evolution of the lithosphere, the properties of Earth materials, as well as actuo- and paleo-environments and climates.

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:
We offer a full-time PhD-position for 4 years, contingent on a satisfactory performance. Monthly salary starts at € 2,000.- and is expected to increase to € 2,558.- in the fourth year of appointment. We also offer a pension scheme, a collective health insurance and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities and are supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 % per year and a year-end bonus of 6,4%.

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

Dr Paul Mason
E-mail address: mason@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)
• The website of Utrecht University’s Institute of Earth Sciences (http://www.geo.uu.nl/ivau)

Application
You can apply for this job before 12-09-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Faculty of Geosciences
Personnel Department

P.O. Box 80.115
3508 TC Utrecht

E-mail: PenO@geo.uu.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber 72111.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD fellow Technological development of vegetable products for infants

Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG)

Wageningen, 6708 PD (Gelderland), 38 hours per week

Job description
The Divisions of Food Physics and Product Design and Quality Management are cooperating in a project on preferences of vegetable products in infants and young children. In order to influence vegetable consumption, it is essential to study the opportunities to develop vegetable products.
The PhD-project focuses on the technological development of new starch-based vegetable products for young infants, and deals with the processing, structure and physical properties of new vegetable matrices. The specific research questions that are addressed in this project are: which structure and physical properties correspond best to children’s preferences; which are the optimal production processes for starch-based vegetable matrices; what are the effects of the matrix properties and processing conditions on flavour release, and availability of bio-active compounds. Physical properties of the products will be determined using a combination of rheological techniques (Paar Physica controlled stress rheometers, Caber 1 extensional rheometer, and texture analyzers). The structure of the products will be investigated using microscopic techniques such as Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy (CSLM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Also a small-scale transparent extrusion cell and a shear cell, both coupled to microscopes, are used to study formation of the structure of the product during processing. Flavour release and availability of bio-active compounds will be analyzed by MS-Nose or Head space analysis in an artificial mouth system. Release of bio-active components from the food matrix will be studied by simulated digestion of the products in vitro. The research will be performed in close collaboration with a second PhD, in the Division of Human Nutrition, focused on the development of vegetable preferences in young infants.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate with strong interest in product development

• MSc in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or Physical Chemistry
• Excellent social and communication skills
• Team player, but also able to work independent

Proficiency in English (both oral and written)
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Agriculture)

Organization
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG)
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

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Temporary contract for 18 months, contract can be extended with 2,5 years.
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
Temporary contract for 18 months, for 38 hours per week. Salary: from € 2,000.00 to € 2,558.00, based on full time employment. After a positive evaluation of the first 18 months, contract will be extended for the remaining 2 ½ years.

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

Dr Leonard Sagis
Telephone number: 0317-485023
E-mail address: leonard.sagis@wur.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 13-08-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Wageningen UR - AFSG
Bode 118
I. Lamers
P.O.Box 17
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: afsg-vacatures@wur.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AFSG 08.081.

Further Details

UK : University of Sheffield NIHR Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit Funded Studentship (4 years)

School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences & Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Does macrophage priming by hypoxia enhance arteriogenesis?

£17,695 - £20,484 per annum

Supervisor: Dr Tim Chico & Dr Steve Renshaw

Atherosclerosis reduces distal blood flow and induces hypoxia/ischaemia. This is improved by remodelling of pre-existing communications with other arterial territories to form "collateral vessels", a process termed arteriogenesis. Arteriogenesis reduce symptoms and improves survival, but no therapy is available that promotes arteriogenesis. The monocyte/macrophage is a key driver of arteriogenesis. Preventing macrophage recruitment to the site of vessel remodelling reduces, while promoting recruitment enhances arteriogenesis, though it is difficult to visualise macrophage / vascular interactions in vivo using conventional animal models. It is not known whether downstream hypoxia/ischaemia promotes arteriogenesis. Culturing macrophages in hypoxia directly induces several pro-arteriogenic genes. Equally, signals from hypoxic tissue may indirectly induce separate pro-arteriogenic pathways in macrophages that subsequently home to sites of vessel remodelling. We have developed zebrafish models of arteriogenesis and a transgenic zebrafish (fms:mCherry) that expresses the fluophore mCherry in tissue resident macrophages. These transparent embryos allow in vivo visualisation of cell movement and vessel remodelling. By Gal4:UAS transactivation we can specifically overexpress genes in macrophages and observe effects on migration and vascular remodelling.
Hypothesis; Hypoxia induces a pro-arteriogenic phenotype in macrophages and/or macrophage migratory behaviour that enhances arteriogenesis.

Aims and Objectives
1) Assess the effect of hypoxia on macrophage localisation at sites of vascular remodelling in zebrafish
2) Determine the transcriptomal response to hypoxia in tissue-resident zebrafish macrophages.
3) Overexpress candidate genes identified in objective 2 in normoxic zebrafish macrophages and assess effect on arteriogenesis

Training
The student will enter the generic research training program, comprising compulsory and self-selected components. They will obtain training in ethics, IT and essential laboratory documentation. Specific training will be received in zebrafish microinjection, light and confocal microscopy, FACS, microarray study design and analysis (via the BRU biostatistician), and molecular biology lab techniques (RNA extraction, real-time PCR, etc).

How to apply:
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and provide at least two references. To download the application form please visit: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/pgrform.html

Please clearly state ‘Medicine' and the prospective supervisors in the respective boxes.

Closing date: Monday 4th August 2008

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