UK: Imperial College London PhD Studentship

Large-Scale Distributed Systems

Department of Computing

Untaxed bursary of £13,200 per annum plus UK/EU fees
Fixed Term for 3 years, starting in October 2008

Imperial College is ranked the fifth best university in the world (Times Higher QS World University Rankings 2007)

The Department of Computing is a leading department of Computer Science among the UK Universities. It has consistently been awarded the highest research rating (5*) in Research Assessment Exercises and was rated as "Excellent" in the previous national assessment of teaching quality.

We have a PhD studentship starting in October 2008 to work on topics at the intersection of large-scale distributed systems and database research. The position is for three years, and covers fees and a tax-free bursary with London weighting. An ideal candidate will have research interests in the following areas:

• Internet-scale distributed systems
• Overlay networks, peer-to-peer computing and wide-area networking
• Distributed stream processing
• Large-scale data management and distributed databases

The PhD studentship, under the supervision of Dr Peter Pietzuch, will be part of the DISSP project on dependable Internet-scale stream processing. The aim of the project is to investigate new approaches for reliably processing stream data from thousands of sensor networks at a global scale. In addition to the completion of a PhD thesis, you will be expected to produce research publications and design, build, deploy and experiment with large-scale distributed software prototypes. For further information on the DISSP project, see http://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~prp/research/dissp.

You will be part of the Distributed Software Engineering (DSE) Research Group within the Department and based at the South Kensington campus. For further information on the group and related projects, see http://www-dse.doc.ic.ac.uk. Informal queries can be directed to: Dr Peter Pietzuch (prp@doc.ic.ac.uk).

All applicants should have at least a distinction or first in a Masters level degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science. Previous experience in large-scale distributed systems, peer-to-peer computing or stream processing would be advantageous. Applicants must be fluent in spoken and written English. See http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/computing/research/degrees for further information on the PhD degree.

Applications must include the following:

• A detailed CV that includes names and addresses of three referees.
• A 2-3 page research statement with a compelling description of the research that you would like to do and any relevant experience that you have.
• Transcripts of all degree results.

Applications should be sent to:

Bridget Gundry
Department of Computing
Imperial College London
South Kensington Campus
London, SW7 2AZ
Email: bridget.gundry@imperial.ac.uk Fax: +44 (0) 20 7581 8024

Closing Date: 30th April 2008

Imperial College London values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity

Wales: Aberystwyth University MSc in Managing the Environment 2008 - 2009

Institute of Biological Sciences

The face of environmental management is changing and we recognise the demands that will be placed on you - tomorrow's environmental manager. To prepare you for these challenges we have designed an MSc programme with a core of key management skills which you then tailor to your own needs and interests by following one of our four specialist pathways:

Environmental Sustainability: Learn to be sustainability practitioner, an energy / waste manager and green guru in partnership with the Centre for Alternative Technology (www.cat.org.uk).

Coastal Estuarine and Wetlands: Experience and learn how to manage the British coastline, estuaries and internationally important marine environments.

Environmental Impact Assessment: Be trained as an environmental impact assessor, learn about environmental law and strategic environmental assessment.

Habitat Restoration: Become skilled in managing and restoring terrestrial habitats both in the UK and abroad. This pathway offers the option of a 9 week placement in Swedish Lapland, in collaboration with Umea University (for location and related research activities see http://www.ans.kiruna.se/ans.htm).

All the above pathways have been developed with practitioners who are also involved the teaching including staff from CCW, CAT, IGER, DEFRA, Marine Conservation Society and the West and South Wales Wildlife Trust. Each pathway provides a custom made vocational package for your desired career.

Course delivery
Our MSc programme combines vocational and professional training in environmental management with state-of-the-art technological advances. It delivers an innovative, fully integrated programme, at the cutting edge of the subject. You will acquire the practical skills, field experience and knowledge necessary for a career in environmental management. This is a skills-based course taught over one calendar year comprising both core and pathway-specific modules. By joining our Masters scheme you will become a member of a dynamic team, working together towards a sustainable future.

Applicants that possess a second class degree or higher in a relevant discipline are encouraged to apply, candidates with equivalent experience are considered on a case-by-case basis. Further information can be obtained from Mrs Michelle Allen (E-mail myd@aber.ac.uk; Tel 1970 622315 Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, UK.

http://www.aber.ac.uk/biology/prospective/manenvi05a.html

Closing date for applications 15th of September 2008.

Further Details

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UK: University of Huddersfield hD Studentships (four posts)

Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences

Applications are invited for four fully funded PhD Studentships in the Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences at the University of Huddersfield in the following areas available from September 2008:

Computer Modelling of the Crystallisation and Growth of Bio-Minerals
Supervisor Dr David J Cooke

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship to investigate how the choice of solvent and ion complexation affects adsorption and desorption at mineral surfaces using computer based modelling techniques. These simulations will then be used to provide an understanding of why minerals grown in the presence of organic and biological molecules often adopt vastly different, elaborate, structures compared with those grown in standard conditions. Ultimately this will lead to the identification of potential routes to new materials.

Further information regarding the project and applications, including a CV, should be addressed to d.j.cooke@hud.ac.uk.

New Approaches to Oligometallic Cluster Formation
Supervisor Dr Paul Elliott

This project will develop new routes to oligonulear complexes through the coupling of preformed complexes with pendent reactive groups. This will involve the use of a range of derivatised ruthenium bipyridyl complexes. These will then be used to investigate reaction conditions necessary for efficient coupling together to form oligometallic complexes. The properties of these complexes will be studied by UVvis and fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and Xray crystallography.
For further information regarding this PhD project, contact Dr Paul Elliott (p.i.elliott@hud.ac.uk).

Investigation of allosteric effects in metallosupramolecular assemblies
Supervisor Dr Lindsay Harding

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the group of Dr Lindsay Harding synthesising novel ligands for use in metallosupramolecular chemistry, and investigating the allosteric behaviour of their complexes.

The project will involve organic synthesis of ligands and will also require the use of various characterisation techniques such as NMR, mass spectrometry and kinetics measurements.

The successful applicant will be highly motivated and will be able to demonstrate their enthusiasm for supramolecular and physical organic chemistry.

To apply, please send a CV (including contact details of two referees) with a covering letter detailing why you are interested in this project to Dr Lindsay Harding, Dept of Chemical & Biological Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, West Yorks., HD1 3DH, or email to L.P.Harding@hud.ac.uk.

Drugs of abuse in local communities – an environmental and forensic perspective
Supervisor Dr Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern

Applications are invited for a PhD studentship under the supervision of Dr Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern to work on a research project involving the analysis of drugs of abuse in environmental samples. This project will initially involve the development of methodology for the analysis of drugs of abuse using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The established methods will be applied to assess the fate and degradation pathways of drugs of abuse in the aqueous environment and during drinking and wastewater treatment.

The successful applicant will be a highly qualified graduate with a background in chemical sciences and interests in analytical and environmental science.

Applications should include a CV with contact details for two referees and a covering letter and should be sent to Dr Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern, Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH (email: b.kasprzyk-hordern@hud.ac.uk).

These PhD Studentships are available from September 2008. They will cover University tuition fees and provide the standard tax free starting bursary of £12,600 per annum.

The closing date for applications: 18th April 2008.

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UK: The University of Sheffield 2 PhD Positions School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cardiovascular Sciences

Academic Unit of Medical Physics

Summary

The Academic Unit of Medical Physics seeks to recruit two PhD students. A stipend equivalent to that of an EPSRC Engineering Doctorate programme, currently £14,400 per annum, will be paid. Fees will be paid at the home/EU fee rate from University Fee Scholarship. The duration of each appointment will be 42 months, commencing on 1 July 2008. Closing date for applications is 7 April 2008. The PhD students will work in the Unit, located in the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.

About the project

These PhD studentships will be part of a major new programme of work that will develop new computational tools to address a series of important clinical problems in the cardiovascular sector, including heart failure, cardiac rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease and valvular and aortic disease. Developments in the project will support improved diagnosis and disease characterisation, treatment development and treatment planning. The project consortium consists of a well balanced mix of internationally-leading academic, clinical and industrial partners with primary expertise in biophysical modelling, imaging and clinical application.

About the studentships

One student will work in the development, implementation and testing of algorithms for registration of medical images under mathematical constraints associated with the physical processes. The primary target application is the personalisation of models of the aorta in health and disease. One student will work on the definition, integration and application of models associated with the performance of a left ventricular assist device. Both students will work under the supervision of Dr Rod Hose, Dr Pat Lawford and Professor David Barber, as part of a team that will also include a post-doctoral researcher. There will be significant requirement for travel for liaison with academic and industrial partners in several European countries.

Requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain this summer, a good degree (first or upper second class honours or equivalent) in mathematics, physics or engineering. Especially for the first position, a strong mathematical ability is required. Good programming and problem solving skills will be required for both positions, as will the ability to work effectively in and with a small team of researchers. The appointees will be expected to produce academic papers for publication in the peer-reviewed literature, as well as regular formal reports on project progress. Some exposure to the medical or clinical field, particularly in the context of image processing or of medical devices, would be an advantage.

Further Information

For further information please contact Dr Rod Hose (d.r.hose@sheffield.ac.uk) or Dr Pat Lawford (p.lawford@sheffield.ac.uk ).

How to Apply

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

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

Deadline for applications: 7th April 2008

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UK: The University of Manchester Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Engineering for Manufacture

Do you aspire to be one of the UK's leading research engineers?

Do you want a managerial career in industry?

"The EngD is a radical alternative to the traditional PhD . . . a more vocationally oriented doctorate in engineering." (EPSRC)

The Engineering Doctorate is a four year doctoral level collaborative project led by an academic supervisor and an industrial company. The project is defined by the company and academic together and addresses a key problem/opportunity for the business. Unlike a conventional PhD, the researcher receives integrated training in Management subjects and undertakes a comprehensive professional/personal skills development programme

EngD Studentships for October 2008 or January 2009 start are available with:

Arvia Technology Ltd Bridgnorth Aluminium Ltd

Corus Group plc Croda Chemicals Europe Ltd

CVD Technologies Ltd Easipoint Marketing Ltd

Iggesund Paperboard Ltd Renold plc

Rolls-Royce plc Syngenta Ltd

An EngD studentship offers:

● Tax-free stipend of approx £18K per annum for four years

● Industry-based research project at a leading research university

● Management Diploma

● Comprehensive professional development programme

● IET and IMechE accreditation

For more details about the project available and the application procedure please see the EngD Website: http://www.engd.manchester.ac.uk/

(follow ‘EngD in Engineering for Manufacture' link)

Or contact: Dr David Stanley, Manchester EngD Centre,

Tel 0161 306 4161, E-mail engd.centre@manchester.ac.uk

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UKL: University of Liverpool PhD Studentship

Physics Department, Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology and

Division of Medical Imaging & Radiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine

Investigating the impact of Monte-Carlo based radiotherapy treatment planning on clinical outcome

Stipend: £12,600 pa

Location:
Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology (CCO), Wirral, UK and the University of Liverpool (UoL), UK

A PhD studentship, fully funded for 3 years by the Clatterbridge Cancer Research Trust (CCRT), is available now. Tuition fees (at the EU/UK level) and a tax-free annual bursary of £12,600 will be provided. The project will be carried out primarily in the Physics Department, Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, Bebington CH63 4JY, UK.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Alan Nahum (CCO) and Dr Colin Baker (UoL).

Project summary:
Monte-Carlo (MC) simulation is poised to replace analytical methods for computing dose distributions in patients undergoing radiotherapy due to its proven superiority in dealing with the effect of heterogeneities. The focus of this project is on estimating the clinical impact of the use of MC. This will involve evaluating differences in absolute 3D radiation dose distributions for target volumes and critical organs for patients undergoing curative radiotherapy for head & neck, lung, prostate and breast cancer. Evaluation in terms of mathematical models of Tumour Control Probability (TCP) and Normal-Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) will be applied. A further aspect will be the determination of the minimum number of MC histories (and therefore the minimum calculation time) necessary in terms of acceptable uncertainties in TCP and NTCP estimation rather than in the conventional uncertainties in dose determination.

Entry requirements:
The project requires a good understanding of radiation physics, significant computer literacy and keen mathematical skills. Experience in Radiotherapy Physics and/or Monte Carlo techniques would be an advantage.
Applicants should have a background in physical sciences and have gained a minimum of a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent from a non-UK university).

Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be made by phone or email to Prof. Nahum or Dr Baker:

alan.nahum@ccotrust.nhs.uk
+44 (0)151 334 1155 ext. 4169
Secretary Sue Nixon: +44 (0) 151 482 7860

colin.baker@liverpool.ac.uk
+44 (0)151 794 5754

Applications should be made online at: http://www.liv.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying/

Closing Date: 18 April 2008

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UK: PhD Studentship in the Business School Oxford Brookes University

Evaluation of leadership development programmes

Business School

Governments, employing organisations and individuals themselves invest in programmes aimed at developing leadership capacity that incorporate concepts such as ‘emotional intelligence’ or ‘transpersonal dimension’ of leadership. The effectiveness of the resulting development programmes, however, remains under-explored. PhD proposals are consequently invited which focus attention on the development of criteria for the evaluation of such programmes. Proposals which encompass a comparative methodology involving the evaluation of different types of programmes would be particularly welcomed.

Contact for informal inquiries and further information about the project:

Dr. Tatiana Bachkirova – tbachkirova@brookes.ac.uk, or Dr. Elaine Cox – ecox@brookes.ac.uk

Applicants should have a good Honours degree with 2:1 and normally a masters degree within a relevant discipline.
The full-time studentship, which includes an element for teaching will be for 3 years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Starting bursary will be £20,000 pa plus student fees.

For details regarding how to apply please download the application form and additional information.

Completed applications forms should be sent directly to: Business School HR Team, Oxford Brookes University, Business School, Wheatley Campus, Wheatley, OX33 1HX or email hr-bs@brookes.ac.uk

Closing date: 30th April 2008

Further Details

UK: PhD in Quantitative Social Science, University of Manchester

PhD in Quantitative Social Science
Graduate Programme in Social Research Methods and Statistics
Centre for Census and Survey Research (CCSR)

SEVEN fully funded PhD studentships commencing September 2008

CCSR is a multi-disciplinary research centre in the School of Social Sciences, specialising in the development and application of quantitative research methods.

The prestigious Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) awards are available to UK and EU citizens and pay for fees, a £750 annual research training support grant and (for UK residents) an annual stipend of up to £15,300. Applicants can apply for either a 1+3 award (four years covering linked Masters and PhDs) or a + 3 award (three years with direct entry to PhD research). Two university-funded studentships are also open to overseas students.

What topic?
We welcome applications in a wide range of topic areas relating to our research themes which include:

• Pure and applied social statistics and research methods
• Social networks
• Demographic and social change
• Elections, political parties and political behaviour
• Relationships and relationship structures
• Work and employment
• Confidentiality, privacy and disclosure

How to Apply
For full details on the studentships and information on how to apply visit our website: http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/

or contact the School Postgraduate Administrator:

Victoria Barnes
Email: vicky.barnes[ at ]manchester.ac.uk, Tel: 0161-275 4743

The deadline for receiving applications is 1st April 2008.

The Netherlands: PhD Student Position in Computer Science, University of Groningen

PhD student position in Computer Science - Intelligent Systems - Biologically motivated object recognition

Institute of Mathematics and Computing Science, University of Groningen

Topic of research
The objective of the project is to develop an object recognition technique that is motivated by the function of the visual cortex. Major aspects are representation and learning.

Type and level of the position
This is a temporary research position at the level of a PhD student for a period of maximum four years. The tuition fees will be waived and the student will receive a full scholarship. In this period the student will follow relevant courses and prepare and defend a PhD thesis. The position is embedded in the research group Intelligent Systems. The tradition of the group is that PhD theses are based on excellent papers in high imact journals so that our PhD graduates have a very strong competative position on the academic market. Thesis director and supervisor will be professor N. Petkov. The University of Groningen is a leading European research university.

Our requirements on your qualifications
You are a university graduate (at the level of diploma or master of science level) in one of the following disciplines: computer science, artificial intelligence, computational neuroscience, electrical engineering, biophysics, physics. You have a demonstrated interest in the neurosciences. You have an excellent academic record (GPA) and belong to the top 5% of the graduates of your year and preferrably have a graduation with a distinction such as honors or cum laude. You are fluent in English language and able to write scientific articles and reports (to be proven by your graduation thesis or another comparable report or co-authorship of published scientific articles).

How to apply
Send the following information:

1. an application letter with a CV,
2. a specification of GPA and transcript of records,
3. an indication of your position in the class and year (e.g. 1st in a class of 20),
4. evidence of excellence (e.g. graduation with honors) and a list of relevant awards,
5. proofs of involvement in research (e.g. co-authorship of scientific articles),
6. a description of your ideas for research in the specified area,
7. names and email addresses of three scientists (typically your former professors) who can give a reference for you.

to prof.dr. Nicolai Petkov (petkov[ at ]cs.rug.nl). Applicants will be asked to do a short assignment in order to demonstrate their research abilities. The position will be open until a suitable candidate is found.

Via: official announcement

Hong Kong: PhD Studentship in Computational Chemistry, Molecular Clusters and Climate, the University of Hong Kong

A fully funded PhD position is available immediately in the field of computational chemistry, more specifically in the field of atmospheric water clusters, here in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hong Kong.

The work is in the field of computational chemistry and deals with cluster structure and stability as well as coupling between atmospheric cluster distribution and climatic impact. The project will involve modeling energetic and spectroscopic properties of molecular clusters such as, for instance, neutral and ionic water clusters, as well as select metal/water clusters, at ambient and extreme conditions. Several different methodologies will be applied including 1) density functional theory, 2) ab initio methods and 3) time dependent density functional type calculations. All computations will be performed on HPC clusters at the University of Hong Kong.

Successful applicants will join a dynamic, research-oriented department with strong collaborative links to the Physics, Chemistry and other natural science departments as well as to high-performance supercomputing facilities on campus. Applicants should hold a B.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in Geochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline and should be highly motivated to perform fundamental simulation and modeling studies.

Further details may be obtained from Dr. Kono Lemke, Department of Earth Sciences, Pokfulam Road, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, (Tel +852 2241 5474, Fax +852 2517 6912), email: kono[ at ]hku.hk or kono[ at ]hkucc.hku.hk to whom a letter of application, a cv and details of three referees should be sent.