International Scholarships for Everyone: 2008-07-20

Thursday, July 24, 2008

UK : University of Plymouth PhD Studentship on Human-Robot Interaction

Centre for Interactive Intelligent Systems (CIIS)

School of Computing, Communication and Electronics

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY

The University of Plymouth invites applications for a PhD Studentship on human-robot interaction to allow robots to learn concepts and language through human-robot tutelage. This research is part of the new EPSRC funded CONCEPT project (Linguistic and direct transmission of concepts in robot-human networks, more on http://www.tech.plym.ac.uk/SoCCE/CONCEPT/

You will focus on robot-human interaction, and will be tasked with setting up a robotic experiment, implementing interface software, studying and implementing visual processing for object recognition in space and time, studying and implementing the human-robot interaction for learning through linguistic interaction and running the experiments on the robotic setup. Your work will lead to a doctoral degree on human-robot interaction for social and linguistic learning.

You will join a strong international research team studying cognitive aspect of robots, see for example http://www.italkproject.org/

You should have a strong interdisciplinary interest in cognitive science, artificial intelligence and robotics and should have, or expect to obtain, a high grade Bachelors or Masters Degree in Computer Science and/or Robotics or a related field. You must have good programming skills and a strong motivation for research.

Full-time Home/EU tuition fees will be paid for the duration of the 3 year studentship. Overseas applicants are welcome to apply but should be aware that, if successful, they must be able to cover the difference between Home/EU and Overseas fees (approximately £6550) for the duration of the studentship.

The stipend for the studentship is at the standard EPSRC rate, which is currently £12940 (note that the stipend is not subject to UK income tax). Funding commences on 1 October 2008.

Informal enquiries regarding the project can be made to Dr Tony Belpaeme by email tony.belpaeme@plymouth.ac.uk or call 01752 586212.

To apply for this studentship please download an application form from www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply. Please return your application form with copies of your qualifications and transcripts, two academic references, English language qualification (if appropriate), a covering letter and CV to:

Mrs C Watson, Research Administrator
Faculty of Technology
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus, Plymouth
Devon PL4 8AA
c.watson@plymouth.ac.uk tel: 01752 586040

CLOSING DATE: 12 NOON, MONDAY 18 AUGUST 2008

UK : Full-time PhD Studentship in Geomicrobiology, CEPSAR open university

Faculty of Science

Further Details

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Germany : University of Heidelberg 2 PhD scholarships

The Cluster of Excellence "Asia and Europe in a Global Context: Shifting Asymmetries in Cultural Flows" at the University of Heidelberg is offering
2 PhD scholarships within the Junior Research Group "Asymmetries in Cultural Information Flows: Europe and South Asia in the Global Information Network since the Nineteenth Century".

The PhD students will be expected to develop a PhD project with the Junior Research Group's research focus. The research group primarily examines how the emergence of a global telecommunication network in the late nineteenth century altered information flow patterns between South Asia and Europe and transformed action and event horizons on both sides of the communication process.

The PhD students will work within the framework of these subprojects:

"‘Telegram Style': Shifts in Transcultural Knowledge and Colonial Decision-Taking" (British colonial history, South Asian history and/or communication studies)
"Shifting Horizons: The Local Impact of Telegraphy in Nineteenth-Century South Asia" (History, South Asian Literature/). Mastery of a local language will be necessary.

General information on the Cluster of Excellence can be found at http://www.vjc.uni-hd.de. It is highly recommended to contact the JRG leader, Roland Wenzlhuemer, to obtain further details about the research design of the Junior Research Group and the subprojects.

Applicants will have an excellent academic standing and be interested in completing a doctoral degree at the University of Heidelberg. Applicants are required to hold a Masters degree or equivalent by 1 October 2008. The positions available are open to both EU and overseas students.
The scholarships will start on 1 October 2008 or as soon as possible thereafter. They are awarded for two years with a possible renewal for another year after successful evaluation. The scholarship includes a stipend of EUR 1.000 per month and access to travel funds. Applications from women, ethnic minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged. For further information please contact roland.wenzlhuemer@staff.hu-berlin.de.

Please send a CV, copies of university degrees, two letters of recommendation and a short PhD project outline of no more than 1.000 words to the address below. Electronic applications are welcome. Interviews will begin on 18 August 2008 and continue until the positions are filled.

Contact details for enquiries and submission of application:
Dr. Roland Wenzlhuemer
Centre for British Studies
Mohrenstrasse 60
10117 Berlin, Germany
Tel. +49 (0) 30 2093 5330
Email: roland.wenzlhuemer@staff.hu-berlin.de

Australia : Eskitis PhD Scholarship Griffith University Australia

The Discovery Biology Department of Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies is offering a highly motivated individual the opportunity to undertake a PhD to identify and characterise novel drug targets in parasites. Scholarships are being offered for research into the identification of new drug targets for either Malaria or African Sleeping Sickness. The successful candidate will be part of a growing team focussed on Tropical Disease Drug Discovery in the laboratories of Assoc Prof Avery. The candidate will have the opportunity to utilise a diverse range of technologies available within Eskitis.

This scholarship is offered once only to one person. Open for applications from July 7, 2008 until August 4, 2008.

Payment Information
The value of this scholarship is AUD25000 (per annum). This award is to be used for living expenses. This scholarship is paid fortnightly for the period of 3 years.

Research Information
This scholarship is for one of the following fields of research: Biochemistry and cell biology, Biotechnology or Other biological sciences. It is required that your study starts no earlier than July 7, 2008 and no later than December 31, 2008.

Eligibility
This scholarship is for study in Australia for those who have achieved Honours 1 or equivalent.

Application Details
To apply for this scholarship you must apply direct to faculty. Terms and conditions are subject to change. Always confirm details with scholarship provider before applying.

Contact
Vicky Avery (Associate Professor)
Eskitis Institute, Griffith University
Email: v.avery@griffith.edu.au
Web Site: www.griffith.edu.au/science/eskitis-institute-cell-molecular-th

Mexico : India-Mexican Government Scholarship 2009

The Government of Mexico have offered 6 scholarships for Indian nationals for the year 2009 for studies at a Mexican University or any institution of higher education in Mexico. The scholarships would be available for studies in the following subject fields

Agriculture
Architecture
Biotechnology
Environment Science
Latin American Studies;
Spanish Literature
History.
Economics
Psychology
Geography

Since, the medium of instructions would be Spanish Language, it would be mandatory that all applicants are able to speak Spanish at the time of submitting their applications. Only in exceptional cases, the Government of Mexico might consider to exempt this pre-requisite to the student if he agrees to undergo 6 months course in Spanish language prior to the start of the regular study.

Age: Below 26 years for P.G. (Masters) & below 30 years for Ph.D. as on 31.7.2008

Level Of Study: Post-graduate and Ph.D.

Qualification: Should have Bachelor's Degree or equivalent with minimum 65% marks in relevant subject for Post-graduate studies. The candidate should have Post-graduate Degree with minimum 65% marks in relevant subject for Ph.D.

Scholarships Include
Enrollment and school fees, where applicable.

Monthly allowance, equal to:

4 D.F. (Federal District-Mexico City) minimum wages for a Specialty, Master's or Master's-level research, as well as for studies in the Spanish language and Mexican culture. This currently amounts to $6,310.80 pesos.
5 D.F. (Federal District-Mexico City) minimum wages for a doctorate or doctoral research, as well as postdoctoral visits, medical specialties or subspecialties, and expert and artistic visits. This currently amounts to $7,888.50 pesos.

Medical insurance coverage from the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), effective as of the third month of the scholarship, as long as scholarship grantees comply with the delivery of the documentation requested in due time and manner in order to proceed with their admission into the IMSS system.

At the beginning of the scholarship, transportation from Mexico City to the location of the academic institution where the grantee is to study, and transportation from there back to Mexico City upon termination of the scholarship.

The air travel New Delhi-Mexico-New Delhi must be covered by the respective candidate unless otherwise specified.

Any expenses not stipulated in the foregoing shall be payable by the scholarship grantee, including: costs involving study incorporation and revalidation costs; costs for printing of the thesis; graduation and degree-procurement processing fees; costs of registration in the National Register of Foreigners; and visa renewal fees.

Application on plain paper (in prescribed format) along with photocopies of educational certificates (including proof of age) and other documents, with a copy of recent passport size photograph pasted on the application, should reach "The Section Officer, ES.5 Section, Department of Higher Education, A.2/W.4, Curzon Road Barracks, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110 001? by 31.7.2008. Applications received after 31.7.2008 will not be entertained. Applications can also be submitted online at the Department website www.education.nic.in by 31.7.2008.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

USA: PhD Student Positions in DNA Repair Mechanisms, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

PhD student positions at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA

PhD assistantships are available to study DNA repair mechanisms in eukaryotic cells. All tuition fees and a stipend for living expenses will be paid. Candidates with experience in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or related areas are encouraged to apply. Minimum criteria for admission include >3.0 GPA, and a combined verbal and quantitative GRE score of >1100. For international students, a minimum TOEFL score (computer version) of >250 (or >100 internet version or >600 paper version) is required. Please send CV and address enquiries to:

Dr. Shisheng Li
Assistant professor
Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

Phone: 225 578 9102
Fax: 225 578 9895

Email: shli[ at ]vetmed.lsu.edu

Italy: Master Scholarships in Design, Master Politecnico di Milano

Research of eligible students’ for masters Scholarships
Master Politecnico di Milano www.polimi.it

POLI.design – Consorzio del Politecnico di Milano addresses your institution, which is a relevant reference point in the cultural and commercial exchange with Italy.
www.polidesign.net

POLI.design requests your cooperation in propagating news about qualified opportunities of post-university training:

MDS - Master in Strategic Design. Design of the Value Offering (in cooperation with MIP Politecnico). – 1st level – 10th edition, held in English. Duration 13 months. Design, management, technology and empowerment, for those oriented to work on the borderline between design and management. www.polidesign.net/mds

MBC - Master in Brand Communication, the Project, the Construction and the Brand Management (in cooperation with AssoComunicazione) – 1st level – 8th edition. Duration 12 months. To manage the strategic thought of the brand as a Strategic Planner, Product Manager, Account and Media manager. www.polidesign.net/mbc

MA&C - Master in Art Direction e Copywriting. The creative couple of the future – 1st level – 2nd edition. Duration 12 months. From advertising to global communication, with 11 art directors of important agencies, for the communication of the brand of the future. www.polidesign.net/mac

MDSPI - Master in Design for the Development of the Industrial Product – 1st level – 2nd edition. For the Product Design specialists, to run the entire procedure of realization of industrial products, from their conceiving to their production. www.polidesign.net/mdspi

The complete information about the masters and the courses is on line in the site www.polidesign.net

For each of these courses our Academic Partners offer some scholarships to the eligible foreign, designers students and architects interested in specializing in Italy.
In order to be considered for a scholarship it is necessary to send a curriculum vitae by 10th september 2008 and have a fairly good knowledge of the Italian language.

For further information you may contact us at the phone number +39 02 23995864 or e-mail address: formazione[ at ]polidesign.net

Deadline: 10th september 2008

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

UK : University of Salford PhD Studentship

Explore game based technology to support construction design and engineering

School of the Built Environment

The Salford Centre for (Construction) Research and Innovation Research (SCRI), which is 6* at the School of the Built Environment at University of Salford and Salford Think Lab are sponsoring a doctoral studentship in order to explore game based technology to support construction design and engineering.

The doctorate will explore game based technologies, such as virtual world, game artificial intelligence, to support construction design and engineering in a collaborative environment.

Research topics include:
• Application of artificial intelligence in construction simulation
• Human behavioural modelling in construction and building design
• Construction design and engineering in virtual world
• Digital prototyping and construction simulation

Project Supervisors:
The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr. Song Wu and Prof. Terrence Fernando. The candidate will work with SCRI team and research team in Think Lab and will be able to use the state of art equipment, such as high end workstation and virtual reality facility Think Lab.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Song Wu, Email: s.wu@salford.ac.uk

Details of Studentship:
Applications are invited for a fully funded studentship in the area of visualization and simulation in construction. Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, an upper second class or higher degree in computer science, information technology together with a strong interest in 3D modelling and game technology research.

This studentship provides a tax-free full maintenance grant of £12,800 per annum, plus payment of UK home student tuition fees. Overseas student are also welcome to apply, but the international student fee will not be covered in the studentship.

Salford Think Lab
The Salford ‘Think Lab' provides state of the art facilities in a futuristic environment enabling researchers to engage in research that harnesses the leading developments related to Information and Communication Technologies providing new solutions to current and future challenges faced by industry, commerce and the community. It is designed for Interaction and Collaboration equipped with the best virtual environment facilities of any university in Europe.

SCRI
The Salford Centre for Research & Innovation (SCRI) was established in January 2002. SCRI brings together a diverse group of leading international academics from the Schools of the Built Environment, Computing Science & Engineering, and Art & Design. The Centre is funded by the Engineering and Physical Research Council (EPSRC), in recognition of the leading role the University of Salford has played in construction and built and human environment research excellence. SCRI is positioned within the only, and most highly rated 6* Built and Human Environment (BuHu) research institute in Britain.

BuHu
BuHu is an internationally recognised centre for research in the Built and Human Environment. It has been the top rated research institute in the UK since 1992 and focuses its research on three themes; ICT, Management and the Environment. It comprises 90 research active academic staff, of whom 20 are internationally leading Professors, more than 35 research assistants and over 170 research students. BuHu collaborates with over 500 companies and clients around the world and make significant contributions to innovations and improvements in industry and the Environment.

The Institute is very active and in recent times it has attracted research funds and support totalling more than £30M. It has produced more than 300 journal articles, 600 conference papers, 50 major project reports and supported 200 research events, including its annual International Research Week (IRE), which incorporates a two day international conference, an industry day and a two day international postgraduate research conference. BuHu has also initiated 8 EPSRC and EU funded networks

Buhu currently has more than 170 PhD students and all postgraduate research students have access to advanced technical facilities including advanced virtual reality equipment and the new Thinking Laboratory. Research students are encouraged to network with their peers and the international community.

Application Deadline:
Applications, with a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees, should be sent to Dr. Song Wu, 424 Maxwell Building, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT.

Scotland : Napier University PhD Studentship

Industrial CASE PhD Studentship: Development of biofuel production from algae by solventogenic clostridia

Biofuel Research Centre, Napier University Edinburgh and Green Biologics Ltd

Applications are invited for one fully funded three-year PhD studentship within the Biofuel Research Centre at Napier University. This Industrial CASE studentship will cover tuition fees to home/EU level, and will provide an enhanced standard living allowance, over the basic stipend (which is currently £12,600 per annum). Overseas students are eligible to apply, but will be liable to pay the difference between home/EU and overseas fees. Note that fees are subject to change annually throughout programme of study.

The studentship is expected to start as soon as possible.

BACKGROUND

Butanol is a by-product of metabolism by solventogenic species of the anaerobic Genus Clostridium and it is an important chemical and second generation biofuel. The industrialisation of this biological fermentation process will depend on a number of critical factors, not least of which is the identification and development of a cost-effective fermentation substrate. The objective of this project is to evaluate algae as potential fermentation substrate for biofuel production by solventogenic clostridia. The research programme will establish the features which can be manipulated for process improvement, via substrate processing/treatment, fermentation optimisation and strain development.

The position, which is in association with leading biobutanol developers Green Biologics Ltd, is an EPSRC-funded CASE award from the Bioscience for Business Knowledge Transfer Network. The studentship will be based at Napier, however appointees will spend periods in each institute during the programme.

APPLICATION

Applicants must be highly motivated and must normally hold at least a first or second class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline. Candidates whose first language is not English must meet the University's English language requirements.

Further details of Napier University can be found at http://www.napier.ac.uk/. Details of Green Biologics Ltd can be found at http://www.gbl.com/

An application form (FP1 form) and more general details on research can be found at http://www.napier.ac.uk/randkt/prospectiveresearchstudents/Pages/Applications%20and%20studentships.aspx

Please send all formal applications, a CV and a completed "Supplementary Personal Information Form" and "Tuition Fee Classification Questionnaire" by 11 August 2008 to:

Caroline Graham, The Graduate School, Merchiston Campus, Napier University, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH10 5DT

Email: c.graham@napier.ac.uk

Phone: 0131 455 2305

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Martin Tangney; Director of the Biofuel Research Centre at Napier University; m.tangney@napier.ac.uk

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UK : University of Sheffield PhD projects in computational systems biology

Chemical and Process Engineering

Systems Biology is an emerging discipline combining quantitative experimental techniques and mathematical modelling; it has been expanding at a tremendous pace over the last decade, with excellent opportunities both in academic and industrial research. Systems Biology is a key priority area for research at Sheffield. Drawing on the strength of Sheffield’s engineering and biology (both leaders nationally and internationally), a series of activities have been initiated recently including regular seminar and journal club series and Roberts training for young researchers.

A fully funded new route (4 year) PhD studentship is available starting in October 2008 as part of the ChELSI centre (http://www.shef.ac.uk/chelsi/). The project will be carried out under the supervision of Dr G Sanguinetti (co-supervisor Prof P.C. Wright) and will be mostly centred on mathematical modelling, but will involve some training in experimental techniques. The successful candidate will be expected to have a good first degree in a numerate subject (e.g. engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science) and an interest in biology and biotechnological applications. The student will be based in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, but it is anticipated that the student will interact substantially with staff at the Department of Computer Science, Automatic Control and Systems Engineering and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. The following two projects are available; please state clearly in your application which project you are interested in.

Network based integration of high throughput biological data. Technological advances in molecular biology have led to the production of huge amounts of high-throughput data. These data sets describe the global behaviour of cellular products at various levels of organisation, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic. While each of these reveal important characteristics of cellular processes at a specific level, it is not always clear how the information can be pieced together into a meaningful, systems level picture. Recently, we have proposed a probabilistic model which integrated
metabolic network information with high-throughput proteomic to identify pathways connected with hydrogen production in bacteria (Bioinformatics, 24(7): 1078-1085). In this project you will build on this approach to produce models capable of integrating data at various levels of organisation. This approach will be applied to the problem of hydrogen production in bacteria, with potential for important applications in synthetic biology and sustainable biofuels research. The mathematical tools required for the project will be centred on probability theory and statistical machine learning.

Control theory of bacterial metabolism. Bacterial responses to environmental changes often have important metabolic consequences. A case of particular interest involves the bacterial genus Nostoc which in certain conditions releases hydrogen which can then potentially be used as fuel. The dynamics of the response to changed conditions depends on proteins called transcription factors mediating the external signal and turning on and off enzymes that catalyse the metabolic reactions. Unfortunately, accurate measurement of these transcription factor activities is unfeasible. We recently have proposed models to perform statistical inference of transcription factors activity (Bioinformatics, 22(22), NIPS 19) . In this project you will turn these approaches into a control problem, where the goal is not only the inference of the transcription factor activities but how we can engineer the system to maximise the hydrogen yield. The mathematical tools involved in this prohect will be centred on ordinary differential equations, stochastic processes and control theory.

Please address enquiries to Mrs A Fidler:
Email: a.fidler@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)114 2227557

Applications in writing to Mrs A Fidler (details above)

Closing date for applications: 8th August 2008

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Italy: Scholarships for the PhD Program in Business Administration, University of Bologna

The PhD program in Business Administration of the University of Bologna trains brilliant researchers in the fields of management, by offering courses in several areas such as organization theory, business strategy, marketing, technology and innovation management, research methods, statistics, econometrics. In addition to the courses, PhD students have the opportunity to attend seminars held by internationally renowned scholars, present their work at conferences, spend a research period of at least 6 months in international academic institutions. The courses are held in English. The PhD in Business Administration (3-year program) is organized by the Department of Management of the University of Bologna (www.sa.unibo.it), in cooperation with the University LUISS Guido Carli of Rome and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

In order to apply, a Master degree (laurea specialistica/magistrale) is required. The 2009 edition of the PhD in Business Administration (24th cycle) will start in January 2009. 10 students will be admitted to the program and 5 scholarships will be offered. The number of scholarship-assisted places may increase thanks to the financial support of public or private institutions. The net amount of the scholarship is around 1000 Euro per month, for a 3-year period. The amount of the scholarship can be increased during the research period spent abroad (+50%) and through assistantships in teaching or contract research activities. Applications from foreign students are encouraged.

For further details on the PhD program in Business Administration, the admission requirements and the selection procedures, please visit the website.

or contact the PhD Coordinator, Professor Federico Munari (federico.munari[ at ]unibo.it).

The call for application will be published at the beginning of August 2008 on this website.
The deadline to submit all the application documents (approx. 10th September 2008) will be specified in the call.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Netherlands : PhD student in Ecology

University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science

Amsterdam, 1098 SM (Noord-Holland), 38 hours per week

Job description
Within the ERGO program of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student in ecology to work on the project "Potential ecosystem effects of future GM crop introductions through establishment of crop/wild hybrids or feral populations".
One aspect of Environmental Risk Assessments (ERA) of transgenic crops involves the introduction of the transgene in natural environments through outcrossing with a wild relative or through the establishment of feral populations. In the current project the likelihood of an expansion of hybrid/feral plants as well as the associated and potentially adverse effects on the ecosystem will be studied. The experimental systems are (i) hybrids between crop and wild lettuce (Lactuca sativa and L. serriola, resp.) as a model for crop/wild hybridisation, and (ii) Brassica napus as a model feral system. We specifically focus on abiotic stress related to salinity and drought.

The project focuses on experiments using different types of manipulations: changes to the local densities of plants, establishing new populations within and outside the current ecological range, and creating experimental populations in ‘oases' where they are not exposed to the stress of the surrounding environment (no transgenic plants will be introduced to the field). The work involves designing experiments, selecting and creating experimental plots, collecting data, specifically on the impact of the experiment on other species (pollinators, herbivores) and statistical analyses of the results. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

Master in biology, with emphasis on ecology, evolutionary biology or plant physiology
Good training in the planning, execution and statistical analysis of (field) experiments
Ability to work together in a research team

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Science
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 Science at the UvA is one of Europe's foremost institutions of higher education and research in its chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in international science networks and collaborates with universities and industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,000 students and 1,500 staff members spread over four departments and ten research institutes. Each institute has its own research programme, a substantial part of which is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private enterprises.

The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of the ten research institutes of the Faculty of Science. IBED covers a wide range of subjects, in both fundamental and applied research. Our scientific studies aim at a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to climate change, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: see below
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of four years (18 months plus a further 30 months after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis).

An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. PhD students are also expected to assist in teaching undergraduates. The salary is in accordance with the university regulations for academic personnel (Collective Labour Agreement) and will range from € 2,000.- (first year) up to a maximum of € 2,558.- (last year) gross per month (scale P).

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

Dr. ir. Danny Hooftman
Telephone number: 31 20 5257817
E-mail address: d.a.p.hooftman@uva.nl

Or Prof. dr. Peter van Tienderen
Telephone number: 31 20 5257896
E-mail address: p.h.vantienderen@uva.nl

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

Application
You can apply for this job before 25-08-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Universiteit van Amsterdam, Faculty of Science - dept. PZ
S.H.M. Jongerius
Kruislaan 404
1098 SM Amsterdam

E-mail: application-science@uva.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT 08-1036.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Systematic design of automated sustainable horticultural production systems

Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture

Wageningen, (Gelderland), 36 hours per week

Job description

With an average of 27%, labour costs ranks number 1 on the list of production costs in Dutch greenhouse crop production. Improving labour efficiency will be one of the critical success factors in the Netherlands as well as in Western-Europe the next decades. Besides the absolute costs, following trends emphasize focus on labour issues: Increasing size of production facilities, Increasing labour costs, Increasing problems with the availability of skilled and motivated labour, Specialisation of crop production and individualisation of plant treatment, Health problems of the workers, Product quality, food safety, Growing competition on the national and international market.
The objective of this research is to develop systematic, preferably quantitative methods to analyse, design, simulate and optimize greenhouse crop production systems focused on company layout, scheduling in place and time of human labour as well as (potential) mechanization taking into account product and information flows at company level.
Analysis of traditional stationary production systems and analysis of mobile production systems of two example crops. The analysis will include a time analysis of existing production systems and quantification of most important system measures. Choice of a suitable simulation platform will be part of this project. Verification and validation of the model with real data.
Based on the new model a (re-)design of alternative production systems will be carried out based on the guidelines of systems engineering, business process re-engineering or other methodical design procedures. Definition of requirements, systems analysis and definition of required functions, derivation of alternative working principles for each function, concept derivation, concept evaluation and concept implementation will usual process steps in these methodologies to come to new automated sustainable horticultural production systems.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

MSc graduate in systems engineering, industrial engineering, agricultural engineering, operations research or other relevant study;
High-quality knowledge in the field of systems analysis, modelling, simulation and optimization of discrete event systems;
Experience with Arena, Enterprise Dynamics or other relevant simulation tools is an advantage;
Affinity with greenhouse technology, interested in challenges of the horticultural sector;
An autonomously working creative, young researcher with good communicative skills who is open-minded and sociable.

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Agriculture)

Organization
Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture
Wageningen University and Research Centre
Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) provides education and generates knowledge in the field of life sciences and natural resources. Wageningen UR aims to make a real contribution to our quality of life. To us, quality of life means both an adequate supply of safe and healthy food and drink, on the one hand, and the chance to live, work and play in a balanced ecosystem with a large variety of plants and animals.

Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture
The business unit Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture within PSG has about 100 employees and four research teams:

Crop Protection
Crop Management, Physiology and Modelling
Greenhouse Technology
Farm and Crop Systems

Customers are growers, horticultural industry, ministries, public authorities and other horticultural organisations.

Team Greenhouse Technology
The team has about. 20 employees with expertises in the fields of greenhouse energy management, greenhouse climate, physical modelling, sensor- and control technology, material technology, light, computer vision, industrial production and robotics. The activities aim at the integral design of new concepts or components of sustainable horticultural production systems.

Wageningen University - Farm Technology Group
The Farm Technology Group provides education and generates knowledge in the field of bio-systems engineering. Our mission is to fulfill the needs of both mankind and nature in a sustainable way by exploiting the potential of technology. Systems engineering is one of the instruments we use. Emphasis lies on high-tech solutions using advanced sensing systems, systems optimization and control, mechanization and robotics.

Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years.
Maximum hours per week: 36
Additional conditions of employment:
Duration: 4 years, 36 hours per week.
Gross salary: € 2001,- a month in the first year rising up to € 2560,- a month in the fourth year (based on a fulltime employment)

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

Dr. S. Hemming, Team leader Greenhouse Technology
Telephone number: 31 317 486921
E-mail address: silke.hemming@wur.nl

Or Prof. E.J. van Henten
Telephone number: 31 317 483328
E-mail address: eldert.vanhenten@wur.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 20-08-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture
HRM Department Plant Sciences Group
N.G. Wondergem-Bakker
P.O. Box 16
6700 AA Wageningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT: 08.Glas.06.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD position in Design of Genetical Genomics Experiments

University of Groningen

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

Job description
Function title: PhD position in Design of Genetical Genomics Experiments
at the Groningen Bioinformatics Centre. The goal of genetical genomics is to infer the causal relationships between DNA, transcripts, proteins, metabolites and other individual components of a biological system. You will be responsible for developing and applying novel methods for design of effective and cost-efficient ‘genetical genomics’ experiments which may include environmental perturbations or host-pathogen interactions. You will develop and apply quantitative modelling approaches for simulating genetical genomics experiments.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

excellent grades for MSc in statistical genetics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, computer science or a related field
pro-active, ambitious and collaborative attitude
excellent communication and reporting skills.

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
Groningen Bioinformatics Centre is expanding its activities in Systems Genetics, Systems Biology, Computational Biology and Biosoftware development and is looking for a new enthusiastic team member.

Conditions of employment
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 final year. Objective of the temporary 4-year position is the production of a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, which together will form the basis of a thesis leading to a PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year, there will be an evaluation as to the 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. R.C. Jansen
E-mail address: r.c.jansen@rug.nl

Or Dr. R. Breitling
E-mail address: r.breitling@rug.nl

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

Application
You can apply for this job before 03-09-2008 (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 AT208206.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Development of vegetable preferences in infants

Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group

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

Job description
Within the Division of Human Nutrition research is carried out in the field of sensory science and eating behaviour. Most human food preferences are learned through imitation, mere exposure, and conditioning principles. The dislike for vegetables is probably due to the low energy content of vegetables, but may also be related to specific sensory attributes. Due to their low energy content, vegetables do not lead to satiety or satisfaction, so there is no chance for development of energy-conditioned taste preferences. Furthermore, preferences learned early in life are relatively stable and may track into adulthood. However, it is unclear how vegetable preferences develop at early age: from infancy until young childhood. In order to influence vegetable consumption, it is essential to study the opportunities to develop a preference for vegetable products.
The specific research questions in this project are: how do vegetable preferences develop over time from infancy to young childhood; which sensory properties of vegetables are liked or disliked by infants and young children; which facial expressions and body movements are indicative for liking or disliking in young children; is it easier to like new-starch based vegetable products compared to traditional 100 % vegetables?
The project starts with the design of a long term prospective study to investigate the stability of vegetable preferences in infants. This includes measures of facial expression and body gestures to indicate liking. Subsequent studies will focus on the liking of new starch based vegetable products by children. The final step is a behavioural intervention study, to study the learning process of liking for the new starch based vegetable products or 100% vegetable purees.
The project is closely linked to a neighbouring project which focuses on the technological development of new starch-based vegetable products and deals with the processing, structure and physical properties of vegetable matrices.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate with strong interest in sensory sciences, a good planner and organizer

MSc in Nutrition and Health, Psychology, or Health Sciences
Clear interest in the development of sensory preferences
Like to work with infants, young children
Experience in conducting experimental behavioural studies
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: Food)

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:
Temporary contract for 18 months for 38 hours per week. Salary: from € 2000 in the first year to € 2558 in the forth year, based on full time employment. After a positive evaluation of the first 18 months, contract will be extended fort the remaining 30 months.
Hay-profile: Promovendus

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

prof.dr. Kees de Graaf
Telephone number: 0317-482589
E-mail address: kees.degraaf@wur.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 25-08-2008 (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 08.082.

Further Details

Switzerland : ETH Zurich PhD Position in Geophysics

Modelling Holocene Geomagnetic Field Evolution

Institute of Geophysics

A funded PhD studentship on the topic "Modelling Holocene Geomagnetic Field Evolution" is available from September 2008 in the Earth and Planetary Magnetism Group at the Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich.

This studentship forms part of a multi-disciplinary project examining links between the evolution of Earth's magnetic field, variations in cosmogenic isotope production rates, and climate change during the Holocene (past 10,000yrs). This ETH funded project involves detailed study of sediments from Swiss lakes which provide a high-resolution, continuous archive of magnetic and environmental change.

The attention of the student will focus on deriving new models of global geomagnetic field evolution spanning the past 10,000 years from databases of archeomagnetic and paleomagnetic measurements and using the new high-resolution swiss lake records. The student will develop and extend existing inversion schemes to account for the peculiarities of palaeomagnetic data. Implications of the derived patterns of magnetic field variation for the our understanding of the geodynamo in Earth's core will also be investigated.

The project will be primarily supervised by Dr. Chris Finlay in close collaboration with Prof.Dr. Andrew Jackson and Dr. Ann Hirt. Training will be provided in methods of data analysis, inverse theory, geomagnetism and software development. For further information on the Earth and Planetary Magnetism group consult http://www.epm.ethz.ch

Necessary Background: Candidates should be interested in inverse theory, data analysis methods and geomagnetism. They should hold a Diploma or M.Sc. degree in Physics, Geophysics or Applied Mathematics.

Start: September/October, 2008

Duration: 3 years

Remarks: Candidates should register their interest with CV to Dr. Chris Finlay

Contact address:
Dr. Chris Finlay,
Institute of Geophysics
ETH-Hönggerberg
CH-8093 Zürich
Switzerland
Email: cfinlay@erdw.ethz.ch

Link: http://www.epm.ethz.ch/

The Netherlands : PhD student (promovendus) for Spatial Analysis of Coastal Monitoring Data

University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science

Amsterdam, (Noord-Holland), 38 hours per week

Job description
Within the Sea and Coastal Research program of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and in collaboration with the institute DELTARES and the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO), we have two vacancies for the following project:

"An innovative monitoring strategy for the carrying capacity in the Dutch coastal zone"

Water quality monitoring programs are under pressure, because they are expensive and essentially the methodology and logistics have not been updated since the 1970s. Also the monitoring data often do not fulfill the information needs of policy makers and managers. Therefore, a major renewal of coastal monitoring strategies is desirable. During the past few decades, there have been important technological and scientific developments to advance monitoring efforts. New on-line instruments have been developed for scientific and applied monitoring purposes. Remote sensing combined with GIS analysis has enriched the spatial information available to coastal managers. New molecular techniques have enabled recognition of a wide array of marine microorganisms and their activities. Advances in computation power, statistical techniques and data-model integration have improved the analysis of monitoring data. However, application of these new techniques, insights and methods to optimize water quality monitoring programs of the coastal zone are still in its infancy.

The project aims at three goals:

analysis of temporal and spatial trends and fluctuations of nutrients, suspended matter, phytoplankton, and where possible zooplankton and shellfish in existing data sets,
design of an advanced, cost-effective monitoring network of the Dutch coastal waters for the next decades,
demonstrating the value of enhanced monitoring networks by quantifying its predictive capacity.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

Master in Biology or Mathematics with specialization in e.g. environmental statistics, oceanography, ecology, or geosciences,
Expertise in spatially explicit models and statistical techniques,
Expertise in remote sensing,
Experience with field studies and GIS is a plus,
Ability to work in multidisciplinary research teams.

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)

Organization
University of Amsterdam
Faculty of Science
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 Science at the UvA is one of Europe's foremost institutions of higher education and research in its chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in international science networks and collaborates with universities and industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,000 students and 1,500 staff members spread over four departments and ten research institutes. Each institute has its own research programme, a substantial part of which is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private enterprises.

The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of the ten research institutes of the Faculty of Science. IBED covers a wide range of subjects, in both fundamental and applied research. Our scientific studies aim at a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to climate change, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.

Conditions of employment
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: see below
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The appointment of the PhD students will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of four years (18 months plus a further 30 months after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). During the employment period it is possible to work for a period in Delft (DELTARES) and/or Yerseke (NIOO).

An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. PhD students are also expected to assist in teaching undergraduates. The salary is in accordance with the university regulations for academic personnel and will range from € 2,000.- (first year) up to a maximum of € 2,558.- (last year) gross per month (scale P).

The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch universities is applicable. This provides secondary benefits like 8 % holiday allowance and 6.4 % end-of-year bonus (8.3 % in 2009) of the annual salary.

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

Prof. Dr. R. Laane
Telephone number: 31-15-2858655
E-mail address: remi.laane@deltares.nl

Or Prof. Dr.Ir. W. Bouten
Telephone number: 31-20-5257421
E-mail address: w.bouten@uva.nl

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

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

pleasemail
0000 Amsterdam

E-mail: application@science.uva.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT 08-1037.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD Molecular Genetics/CARIM f/m

Universiteit Maastricht

CARIM/Molecular Genetics/PhD
Maastricht, 6200 MD (Limburg), 38 hours per week

Job description
Function title: AT2008.195 PhD Molecular Genetics/CARIM f/m
In the diabetic heart, metabolism is chronically altered. The applicant will study metabolism and vesicular trafficking in cardiomyocytes from diabetic rodents, and verify changes in trafficking-protein expression in heart tissue from diabetic patients, to identify targets for metabolic therapy.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
Degree in Molecular Life Sciences/ Health Sciences/ Biology/ Medicine. Experienced with rodent models, standard biochemical techniques, radio-isotopes and Western blotting. Participation in international collaborations. We welcome good team collaboration and communication skills.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Health)

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
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:
Your salary would be € 2.000,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.558,- gross per month in the fourth year according to the PhD-student salary.

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

Dr. Joost J.F.P. Luiken
Telephone number: 043-3881209
E-mail address: j.luiken@gen.unimaas.nl

Application
You can apply for this job before 28-07-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Universiteit Maastricht
FHML, afd P&O

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

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT2008.195.

Further Details

UK : Loughborough University PhD Research Studentships

Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering

www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/

Applications are invited for PhD research studentships within Loughborough University's Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering for the 2008-2009 academic year. Studentships will be paid a tax-free stipend of at least £12,000 p.a. for 3 years, plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. For well-qualified overseas graduates studentships will cover the overseas fees. Applicants should be highly motivated and have (or expect to obtain by October 2008) a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent in the appropriate engineering discipline.

Loughborough University's research has a strong industrial and commercial dimension that is at the forefront of many technological advances. Research studentships in the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering are available in a number of key areas:

Acoustics and Vibration link to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research/acoustics-vibration-background.html
Applied Aerodynamics link to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research/aerodynamics-background.html
Combustion and Energy Conversion link to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research/combustion.html
Dynamics and Control link to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research/dynamics.html
Structures and Materials link to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research/material-structures-background.html
Risk and Reliability link to http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research/risk-reliability.html

Further details of research areas for each group can be found in our Research Guide which can be downloaded from the department's website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/research.html

Eligibility:
Candidates should hold, or expect to receive, a first or upper second degree in a relevant engineering or science subject. In addition applicants whose first language is not English English will require a language qualification, full details can be found at:

http://lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/international/prospective/englishlang/pgr/index.htm

Additional Information:
Applicants should complete the standard PhD application form available from:-
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/pg/apply/index.html. Further information about the studentship can be obtained by contacting:- Jackie Green, Research Administrator, Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University, E-mail: J.A.Green@lboro.ac.uk

For informal enquiries contact the relevant academic, details are available on the website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/tt/dept_research.html

Closing Date for Applications: Friday, 15 August 2008

The Netherlands : PhD student STRESS project

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Department of Mathematics and Computer science

Eindhoven, (Noord-Brabant), 40 hours per week

Job description
STRESS project
STRESS is an acronym for: Statistical Testing and Reliability Estimation of Software Systems. The project started in 2005 and is focused on methods for release testing of software systems. A release test is concerned with the question: can we release the software system now, or do we have to continue testing. This is one of the most important questions for software engineers in practice. We all know that complex software systems are never error free, however we can’t test a system exhaustively since that would require ages. Therefore we are looking for statistical release tests that guarantee a certain level of confidence that the system does not contain more than a given number of remaining errors. (This number may be zero)

So far we studied black box testing methods, where the software is considered as a black box and we studied methods for the case a model of the software system is known (see the references). The STRESS project is performed by a research group including one PhD student, who is concentrating on the statistical aspects. There is room for a second PhD student with a computer science background.
There are many open questions but for this PhD position we focus on:

Modeling software systems for test purposes;
Design of test procedures;
Development of a test environment to experiment with the test procedures in order to determine there quality.

For modeling we used so far transition system models. We would like to extend this to more realistic models based for instance on the architecture of the software. The test procedures so far are a mixture of an efficient exhaustive testing strategy combined with a statistical stopping rule. For more realistic cases these rules can be modified in order to be applicable, but then the statistical quality is not guaranteed anymore. In order to determine there quality we need extensive experiments. The experimental environment should be implemented on a grid computing platform. The actual performance of experiments is also part of the project.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

We are looking for a brilliant candidate who meets the following requirements:

a MSc in Computer Science;
a basic background in statistics;
who likes to combine more theoretical work with practical software engineering of the test environment and the execution of the experiments;
good communicative skills in English, both written and oral.

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research

Organization
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Department of Mathematics and Computer science

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science provides undergraduate and MSc programs in Mathematics and in Computer Science. The department has research collaborations with other departments at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven as well as with a large number of other universities and companies, both at home and abroad. The Department has approximately 350 employees and more than 700 students.

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 jaar
Maximum hours per week: 40

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

Prof. dr. K.M. van Hee
Telephone number: 31(0)402474518

Or ms. P.J. Evers BC
Telephone number: 31(0)402472321
E-mail address: p.j.evers@tue.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through the following link:

About the organization (http://www.tue.nl)

Application
You can apply for this job before 30-09-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Eindhoven University of Technology
Postbus 513
5600 MB Eindhoven
Nederland
E-mail: pwzin@tue.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber V32.026.

Further Details

Australia : Macquarie University 2 PhD studentships

MQ Photonics Research Centre

Department of Physics

Laser-spectroscopic sensing - suitable for physicists, chemists, and electronic engineers
Funding is available for two MQRES PhD studentships within the Department of Physics at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Each entails a research project on laser-based spectroscopic sensing within Macquarie University's MQ Photonics Research Centre, working with Professor Brian Orr, Associate Professor David Coutts, and Dr Yabai He. MQ Photonics, which comprises ~30 research staff and ~30 PhD students, offers a wide range of laser, photonic and spectroscopic facilities in a highly supportive academic environment.

See http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/research/photonics/

Project 1: Nanostructure-enhanced coherent Raman micro-spectroscopy and imaging

Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) micro-spectroscopy is a laser-based nonlinear-optical technique which allows sensitive microscopic chemical fingerprinting and imaging. We shall study and exploit CARS mechanisms arising at nanostructured surfaces that are able to enhance this powerful form of microscopy, thereby improving its already-high sensitivity. Outcomes will include new cost-effective technologies for CARS micro-spectroscopic sensing and imaging, new knowledge in the physics of surface-enhanced Raman microscopy, and new practical instrumentation that offers dramatically improved CARS detection sensitivity down to the level of single molecules. Such approaches will have broad significance ranging from investigation of biomedical processes in tissues, cells and biomolecules to ultra-sensitive detection of trace chemical substances such as explosives, pathogens and forensic residues.

Project 2: Gas sensing by cavity ringdown spectroscopy - forensic and security applications

Cavity ringdown (CRD) spectroscopy is a cavity-enhanced technique that provides very high sensitivity for detection of weak absorption spectra of gas-phase molecules. CRD measures the decay time of radiation inside an optical cavity, rather than the transmitted optical power or energy as in conventional absorption spectroscopy. The experiments proposed in this PhD project will employ tunable coherent radiation (for example, from a laser or nonlinear-optical source) that may be either pulsed (with high repetition rate for optimal duty factor) or continuous-wave (using our innovative rapidly-swept CRD techniques). Our ongoing research aims to optimise the detection sensitivity attainable with compact, cost-effective instrument designs and to use tunable mid-infrared light sources (quantum cascade lasers or optical parametric oscillators) to access structurally selective regions of the spectrum. A specific application entails vapour-phase detection of explosives and their post-blast residues, in collaboration with local forensic agencies.

The studentships
MQRES studentships are available immediately for a maximum period of 3.5 years and provide an indexed living allowance (currently A$20,007 tax exempt in 2008). International applicants will receive tuition funding for the tenure of their award, while domestic applicants have access to Research Training Scheme (RTS) placement for their tuition funding. For MQRES studentship application details, see: http://research.mq.edu.au/students/scholarships/pages/MQRES

An expression of interest (citing at least one referee and accompanied by a CV describing the candidate's knowledge, expertise and previous studies) should be e-mailed to Professor Brian Orr borr@ics.mq.edu.au

Click here for Molecular & Optical Physics Home Page: http://www.ics.mq.edu.au/research/MOPL/.

Applications close on: Monday, 1 September 2008.

The Netherlands : PhD candidate position in Cargo Transport & Logistics

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Department of Technology Management

Eindhoven, (Noord-Brabant), 40 hours per week

Job description

The PhD student will work in a project to be defined by the part-time professor. The project will be in the area of cargo transport & logistics with a regional focus. Issues that could be addressed are clustering of logistics activities and its impact on cargo transport, transportation mode selection processes, multimodal transportation and the impact of regional authorities on cargo flows. There will be close cooperation with the Province of Noord-Brabant.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate

For the PhD candidate position, the applicant should have completed (or be close to completion of) a degree (preferably Master’s) in industrial engineering, econometrics, transport economics, logistics, or operations management, with a solid background in quantitative, statistical and/or econometric research methods. The candidate’s file should demonstrate evidence of the ability to interact with industry and/or policy makers, since this is a key part of the project. Candidates with an ability to speak and/or read Dutch are preferred, but all strong candidates without this ability are encouraged to apply.

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers

Organization
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Department of Technology Management

The School of Industrial Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology has been given a grant to study regional cargo transport and logistics activities. The grant has been made available by the Province of Noord-Brabant. The grant funds a part-time chaired professor (0.2 fte) and a PhD candidate (full time funding for four years) who will work under the supervision of the part-time professor. The part-time professor is currently being recruited.

The School of Industrial Engineering is one of the longest-established IE Schools in Europe, with a strong presence in the international research and education community, especially in the field of Operations Management and Operations Research. OM and OR are at the core of the undergraduate IE program. The graduate programs (MSc and PhD) in Operations Management & Logistics attract top-level students from all over the world to Eindhoven. Researchers in the School are member of the BETA Netherlands Research School in Operations Management & Logistics (http://fp.tm.tue.nl/beta/) and participate in industrial activities with members of the European Supply Chain Forum (http://escf.tm.tue.nl/).

Conditions of employment
Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 jaar
Maximum hours per week: 40

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

prof.dr.ir. J.C. Fransoo
Telephone number: 31(0)402472681

Or C.J.M. van Overdijk
Telephone number: 31(0)402475204
E-mail address: pz@tue.nl

Or additional information can be obtained through the following link:

About the organization (http://www.tue.nl)

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-10-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Paviljoen R 1.23
Personnel department
Postbus 513
5600 MB Eindhoven
Nederland
E-mail: pz@tue.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber V39.459.

Further Details

Scotland : University of Aberdeen Clinical Lecturer (3 Posts)

School of Medicine and Dentistry

The University of Aberdeen is committed to the Scottish Clinical Research Excellence Development Scheme and the long-term aim of nurturing and developing future clinical academic leaders. Accordingly, the School of Medicine and Dentistry is pleased to offer three Clinical Lecturer posts (equivalent to Academic Clinical Fellowship in England), complete with three-years funding, during which you will undertake full-time study for a PhD soon after commencement of the post under Gold Guide arrangements. It is expected that trainees would join the appropriate North of Scotland Training programme and complete CCT in Aberdeen.

These exciting posts are open to all medical specialties and are available from August/September 2008.

This opportunity will include:

• Registration for a PhD with the University of Aberdeen, with approved time out of clinical training in order to achieve this
• Access to highly experienced supervisors with international standing
• A dedicated clinical and academic mentoring scheme overseeing the development of the successful candidate to CCT and beyond.
• It is also anticipated that successful candidates may be able to spend some time abroad at international centres of excellence during their research time.

Eligible applicants will already be holders of a National Training Number in the UK. These posts have the full approval of the postgraduate deanery although candidates are strongly advised to discuss their application with their Training Programme Director/Postgraduate Dean.

The salary will be paid in the range of £30,231 - £52,346 per annum on the Clinical Staff Salary Scale for Staff not holding Clinical Consultant contracts.

Further details may be found at www.abdn.ac.uk/acat. Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Emad El-Omar, Academic Development Co-ordinator on e.el-omar@abdn.ac.uk or telephone 01224 553021.

Online application forms and further particulars are available from www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs. Alternatively telephone (01224) 272727 (24-hour answering service) quoting reference number MSU100A for an application pack.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is Friday 15 August 2008.

Promoting Diversity and Equal Opportunities throughout the University

The Netherlands : PhD: Device Physics & Compact Modelling of Bipolar Transistors

Delft University of Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science

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

Job description
Bipolar transistors are the active devices of choice for advanced radio-frequency applications, such as upcoming telecommunication generations, radar and advanced THz imaging systems. In these applications, most advanced bipolar transistors will be applied. The study of these advanced electronic devices opens a myriad of topics in semiconductor device physics. The focus of the research will be on understanding and modelling hetero-junction structures applied in advanced transistors, as well as on the consequences of downscaling the bipolar devices, which, thanks to progress in modern semiconductor device technology, are entering the domain of nano-electronics.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
The candidate has an academic MSc degree in physics, electrical engineering, applied mathematics or the equivalent. The candidate has an affinity with semiconductor device physics and for the combination of experimental work with mathematical analysis and modelling.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers

Organization
Delft University of Technology
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science
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 Laboratory of Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM) is part of the Department of Microelectronics and offers a multidisciplinary research environment with strong industry interaction. The Semiconductor Device Modelling section focuses on physics-based modelling of semiconductor devices. A central activity is the support and development of the World Standard model Mextram for bipolar transistors. Mextram is widely used in the semiconductor industry to support electronic circuit simulations. In our group, starting from physical principles and experimental data, we are developing an understanding of how electronic devices work in order to explain and model their electrical characteristics.
Date of entry: 15/07/2008

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 by Delft University of Technology for a fixed period of 4 years within which he/she is expected to write a doctoral thesis. The estimated starting salary for the PhD student is € 2,000 per month gross, with a maximum of € 2,558 gross (based on a full-time appointment and depending on experience).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:

Ramses van der Toorn
Telephone number: 31 (0)15-2787281
E-mail address: R.vanderToorn@tudelft.nl

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

Application
You can apply for this job before 01-10-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

Ramses van der Toorn/ECTM
Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands

E-mail: peno-ewi@tudelft.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber EWI2008-22.

Further Details

The Netherlands : PhD in Optimizing Thin Film Silicon Solar Cells

Delft University of Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science

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

Job description
Thin film silicon (TF Si) solar cells are promising candidates for low cost solar cells, and the world-wide production of this type of solar cell has been growing in recent years. One of the challenges of the TF Si solar cell technology is increasing the stabilized conversion efficiency. A multi-junction approach is adopted to achieve this goal. In this approach, two or more solar cells with different absorber layers are stacked on top of each other. In the stack each component cell efficiently uses a different part of the solar spectrum. In order to achieve high efficiency, additional light management schemes have to be developed and implemented in solar cells in order to enhance absorption of light in the absorber layers of the component cells. In this project, the design and development of an optically active layer, which serves as an intermediate reflector (IR) between the component cells in a double-junction solar cell, will be carried out. The role of this innovative, optically-active layer is to contribute to more efficient use of the solar spectrum by the individual cells. This results in thinner absorber layers and a higher stability of the solar cell under light exposure, and thus a higher stabilized conversion efficiency. The PhD student will design the IR using computer simulations, and will then fabricate and characterize the IR structures and implement them into the solar cells. For this purpose we are looking for a candidate who has knowledge and experience in physics and the preparation of semiconductor thin films and semiconductor devices. Experience in plasma deposition techniques for thin films is welcome.

Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for a physicist or material engineer (university degreed) with experience in physics and the preparation of semiconductor thin films and semiconductor devices. Delft University of Technology is a bilingual organization; a good command of English (written and spoken) is essential; a good command of Dutch as well is preferred.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers

Organization
Delft University of Technology
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science
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 Laboratory of Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ectm.et.tudelft.nl) is part of the Department of Microelectronics of the EEMCS Faculty and offers a multidisciplinary research environment with strong industry interaction. Innovative devices, device integration concepts and novel microstructures and materials are investigated, based on in-depth knowledge of device physics, silicon technology and electrical-material characterization. The strong technology-based research results in four application-oriented themes addressing scientific questions and challenges of high societal relevance: Silicon Device Integration, Silicon Microsystems & MEMS, Thin Film Solar Cells and Thin Film Transistors. The ECTM laboratory is located in the Delft Institute of Microsystems and Nanoelectronics (DIMES).
Date of entry: 17/07/2008

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 by Delft University of Technology for a fixed period of 4 years within which he/she is expected to write a doctoral thesis. The estimated starting salary for the PhD student is € 2,000 per month gross, with a maximum of € 2,558 gross (based on a full-time appointment and depending on experience).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:

M. Zeman
Telephone number: 31 (0)15-2782409
E-mail address: m.zeman@tudelft.nl

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

Application
You can apply for this job before 20-08-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

M. Zeman/Microelectronics
Feldmannweg 17, 2628 CT Delft, NL

E-mail: m.zeman@tudelft.nl]]

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber EWI2008-30.

Further Details

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Delft University of Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science

Delft University of Technology, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science

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