UK: University of Worcester PhD Studentship Consumer Psychology/Consumer Behaviour/ Human Factors

Centre for People @ Work, Worcester Business School

Applications are invited for a fully-funded full-time studentship to work in the area of ‘Hedonomics and manufacturing in the decorating industry: What makes DIY tools ‘compelling'?' from a consumer psychology/behaviour and/or human factors perspective. This studentship is sponsored by and in collaboration with L.G.Harris, decorating tool manufacturers.

DIY tools are not just tools for a job, they embody additional functions which are suitable subjects for deeper consumer psychological and hedonomic investigation. Hedonomics is an extension of ergonomics, whereas the latter focuses on functional aspects of tool design such as usability analysis, hedonomics takes this further by making research foci of the sensory, affective, psychological and ideological components which determine ‘pleasure in products' (Jordan, 2006).

The student will carry out a research project that will lead to the award of a higher research degree (MPhil/PhD). The student will be expected to identify, carry out and report an individual research study under the direction of Dr. Jan Francis-Smythe, Dr Ann Bicknell and Dr Nigel Hardiman from the Centre for People @ Work, a collaborative research centre between psychology and business, based in the Business School. For detailed information about the Centre please see our website: http://www.worc.ac.uk/cpaw/

Applicants should normally have an honours degree in psychology, business or marketing with some experience of consumer psychology/consumer behaviour/human factors. An MSc in a related area would be a distinct advantage. Supervision to Chartered Occupational Psychologist status is available to suitably qualified candidates. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are a must, as are a commitment and enthusiastic approach to completing a higher research degree.

The successful applicant will receive a bursary of £12,300 per annum, available from October 1st, for a period of 3 years, plus an expenses budget. Fees will be paid in full at the UK/EU rate for home and EU citizens. Overseas students are welcome to apply but will need to fund the balance of fees for Overseas Research Students.

For further details click here
Application forms can be found here: http://www.worc.ac.uk/research/studentships

For an informal discussion about the studentship please feel free to contact Jan Francis-Smythe on 01905 855242 or by email to : j.francis-smythe@worc.ac.uk

For questions regarding the application process contact Mrs Helen Tabinor, Graduate Research School Manager (tel: 01905 855012, email: h.tabinor@worc.ac.uk).

The closing date for applications is May 19th 2008
Candidates will be invited for interview on the June 10th 2008

UK: University of East Anglia Fully funded, Association for International Cancer Research, PhD Studentship

Novel Transfection Vectors for the Delivery of siRNA

School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy

School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia.

This fully funded studentship is available to start in October 2008, under the supervision of Dr Susan Matthews, in the School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, UEA Norwich, which has an international reputation, (RAE 5). The project is funded by the Association for International Cancer Research.

Project description:
One of the most recent breakthroughs in Cancer Research is the discovery that small interfering RNA (siRNA) can be used to alter RNA and thus change the behaviour of cancer cells. This is achieved by site selective and highly specific degradation of messenger DNA which allows the destruction of oncogenic RNA in the presence of normal RNA and thus the elimination of cancer induced mutations and resistance mechanisms. Before such an approach can be used therapeutically a major challenge must be overcome; the development of a non toxic delivery system or vector for the siRNA which will allow effective, targeted delivery to the cancerous cell and release of the siRNA within the cell. In this AICR funded project the student will work on a combined chemical synthesis and biological evaluation programme for the development of new vectors based on multicalixarene systems. The techniques involved in the project will include chemical synthesis, DNA binding studies and cell transfection and imaging studies. We seek a highly motivated student who wishes to work on a truly multidisciplinary project. Full training in all aspects of the project will be given and applicants with first degrees in chemistry, cell biology, pharmacology and pharmacy are invited to apply. For further information about the project area read: R. Lalor, J. L. DiGesso, A. Mueller, S. E. Matthews Efficient Gene Transfection with Functionalised Multicalixarenes, Chem. Commun., 2007, 4907-4909.

Contact:
For informal enquiries about this position please contact Dr Susan Matthews at susan.matthews@uea.ac.uk scipg@uea.ac.uk or the Faculty of Science Admissions Office at +44 (0) 1603 593002

How to apply:
An application can be downloaded from our website at http://www1.uea.ac.uk/cm/home/services/units/mac/aao/courses/PG. Completed application forms should be submitted to the Admissions Office, Faculty of Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday 23rd May 2008.

UK: University of Hull PhD Scholarship Stewardship & Regulation of the Environment

You are only 80 once. So, this anniversary year, Hull is celebrating by offering 30 full-time PhD scholarships, under the supervision of some of the country’s leading researchers. It is a fitting way to mark a University that has a rich history of undertaking ‘first class’ research. Succeed in your application, and you will become a member of a vibrant intellectual community, one that is well supported by a dedicated study facility.

The Scholarship: Developing effective regulatory regimes is essential in light of current concerns about global warming, increased levels of pollution, the depletion of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity. The student will seek to establish the normative power of stewardship in relation to natural resources. To find out more about this project, and to apply, please visit www.hull.ac.uk/phd

UK: University of East Anglia Fully funded MRC Capacity Building PhD Studentship

The role of extracellular matrix receptors for stem cell function in skeletal muscle

School of Biological Sciences

School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia.

This fully funded studentship is available to start in October 2008, under the supervision of Prof Ulrike Mayer, in the in the School of Biological Sciences, UEA Norwich, recognised as one of the UK’s top biology departments (RAE 5). The project is funded by the MRC.

Project description:
Satellite cells are the stem cells in adult skeletal muscle and lie in their own niche separated from the muscle fiber by a basement membrane. Under normal circumstances, satellite cells are quiescent, but become activated upon muscle injury in the adult and contribute to tissue regeneration and self-renew their own population. Satellite stem cells are therefore believed to be a powerful tool for cell-based therapies in muscle wasting diseases. However, our understanding of the basic mechanisms that regulate satellite cells behavior is still rudimentary. Our laboratory has recently shown that mice lacking integrin alpha 7 and dystrophin (DKO) have a similar phenotype as Duchenne muscular dystrophy in human with respect to the progression of the disease, tissues involved and premature death post-puberty. Strikingly, a majority of muscle fibers was lost after the first wave of degeneration. As integrin alpha 7 has also been shown to be expressed in satellite cells, the data suggest that in the absence of integrin α7 and dystrophin muscle regeneration is impaired. Yet, the underlying mechanisms remain to be identified. The student will therefore test the hypothesis that in the absence of integrin α7 and dystrophin satellite cell activation and self-renewal is defective, applying molecular, genetic and cellular technologies.

Contact:
For informal enquiries about this position please contact Prof Ulrike Mayer at u.mayer@uea.ac.uk or the Faculty of Science Admissions Office at scipg@uea.ac.uk or +44 (0) 1603 593002.

How to apply:
An application can be downloaded from our website at http://www1.uea.ac.uk/cm/home/services/units/mac/aao/courses/PG. Completed application forms should be submitted to the Admissions Office, Faculty of Science, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday 23rd May 2008.

UK: Unversity of Hull PhD Scholarship Irritant Receptor Pharmacology

You are only 80 once. So, this anniversary year, Hull is celebrating by offering 30 full-time PhD scholarships, under the supervision of some of the country’s leading researchers. It is a fitting way to mark a University that has a rich history of undertaking ‘first class’ research. Succeed in your application, and you will become a member of a vibrant intellectual community, one that is well supported by a dedicated study facility.

The Scholarship: A class of cell membrane proteins called TRP, are the essential molecules for our sensory systems responding to temperature, touch, pain, osmolarity, pheromones, taste and other irritant stimuli. This project is concerned with investigating TRP channel mechanism, pharmacology and disease relevance. To find out more about this project, and to apply, please visit www.hull.ac.uk/phd

UK: University of Plymouth PhD Studentship 2008 Evaluating sediment retention by catchment wetlands using fallout radionuclide tracers

School of Geography

The most damaging environmental and economic impacts of agriculture occur ‘off-site’ in downstream aquatic ecosystems in association with elevated sediment and nutrient yields. Headwater wetlands are essential natural buffer zones that help preserve downstream water quality since they reduce connectivity between the land and downstream aquatic ecosystems. This project will involve field investigation of natural and re-instated headwater wetland function during storm events, using beryllium-7 as a novel sediment tracer. The sediment budgeting technique used will be validated through laboratory experiments to develop knowledge of beryllium-7 geochemistry. The project is part sponsored by Westcountry Rivers Trust who have a strong interest in headwater wetland restoration programmes in SW England.

Applications are invited from candidates with strong research interests in catchment processes and management who have, or are expecting to achieve, a masters degree in a relevant subject or a minimum 2:1 Honours degree in Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline. The full-time PhD studentship will include fees at the ‘home/EU’ student rate and will cover maintenance (£12,940 in 2008/09) for 3 years. The studentships are open to all students, but the studentship is equal to the home/EU fee only and any non-EU applicant would have to fund the difference (currently £6,520 per year) themselves.

Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Will Blake for further details: email wblake@plymouth.ac.uk, or phone +44 (0)1752 585969

To apply for the studentship, please fill in an application form available from http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply and submit the form and references to The University of Plymouth, Marketing and Admissions Office, Social Science and Business, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 28th April 2008

UK: Open University Studentships Materials Engineering

Based in Milton Keynes

Three-year PhD studentships

The Materials Engineering group intends to appoint at least three PhD studentships to start no later than October 2008. The studentships will be in the general field of structural integrity and residual stress measurement.

One of these will form part of the project on Zirconium alloys for high burn-up fuel in current and advanced light-water-cooled reactors, a collaboration between the OU and the Universities of Manchester and Oxford. The studentship will work on the properties and behaviour of zirconium for nuclear fuel cladding. A range of experimental and analytical methods will be used.

Other projects include High-temperature microstructural evolution in materials for aerospace applications, and Creep of materials for nuclear power plant.

The studentships will remain open until filled so an early application is advised.

The MCT Faculty is one of the Open University’s most research-intensive units. There are excellent research facilities, equipment and technical support.

You should have or expect to gain a good Science or Engineering degree.

Further details can be obtained from Anne Hardy: a.e.hardy@open.ac.uk. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Michael Fitzpatrick on 01908 653100 or by email: m.e.fitzpatrick@open.ac.uk.

Equal Opportunity is University Policy.

Further Details

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UK: University of Birmingham PhD Scholarship Award in the Neuroscience of Postural Control

School of Sport & Exercise Sciences

Drs Raymond Reynolds and Martin Lakie invite applications for a PhD Scholarship Award to investigate the sensorimotor basis of voluntary sway control. Although standing perfectly still is impossible, postural sway can be significantly reduced by voluntary exertion. The project will investigate the role of visual, vestibular and proprioceptive feedback in voluntary sway control. Sensory perturbation will be induced by electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve, muscle vibration and visual occlusion. The resulting sway responses will be measured by electromagnetic motion tracking, force platform responses and EMG. The ideal candidate will have a background in neuroscience, physiology or psychology and an interest in human motor control. Good IT skills would be an advantage. A willingness to acquire new skills and knowledge is essential. Further details or informal inquiries should be addressed Dr Raymond Reynolds (r.f.reynolds@bham.ac.uk).

The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Birmingham provides an excellent infrastructure and intellectually stimulating environment that supports high quality research. As part of the School's commitment to research excellence, it is offering several PhD Scholarship awards this year. The awards are for three years and have an approximate annual value of £8000 plus fees (note that the scholarships only cover EU student fees due to funding constraints). The starting date is aimed at October 2008, although programmes of study commencing at a later date will be considered in exceptional circumstances. We require that applicants have a good Honours degree (at least 2.1 or equivalent) and an English qualification (e.g., GCSE, IELTS etc.). Applications to the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, should be completed on-line at: http://www.bham.ac.uk/application/.

The closing date for the application is the 30th April 2008.

General enquiries should be directed to Dr. M. Edwards, Postgraduate Admissions Tutor (M.Edwards.1@Bham.ac.uk) or to Val Queeley, Admissions Secretary (tel: 0121 414 4115). Please visit our website for more details: http://www.sportex.bham.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd.htm

Australia: PhD scholarships in Effects of Physical Disturbances on Ecological Communities at Macquarie University

Ph.D. Scholarships available: Effects of physical disturbances on ecological communities.

Two Ph.D. scholarships are available in the Department of Biological Sciences at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia) for research exploring the role of physical disturbances in structuring ecological communities.

The scholarships are available to both Australian and international students. Students will be supervised by Dr. Josh Madin, whose research focuses in large part on modelling the effects of hydrodynamic disturbances (e.g., cyclones) on the biological and physical structure of coral reef communities.

Students will not be limited to working within coral reef systems, but rather will be encouraged to address related questions in coral reefs and/or other ecological systems. The students will be joining a research group that uses data from many scientific fields in order to tackle broader- scale questions. Therefore, students will also be encouraged to work on novel informatics techniques to aid in large-scale data integration and analysis. It is anticipated that students will conduct fieldwork and explore modelling approaches in pursuit of their research questions.

For this reason, field experience and strong quantitative skills (including mathematical modelling, computer programming, and statistics) are desirable.

Information on Dr. Madin's research interests and past/ current projects can be found at www.bio.mq.edu.au/computational_ ecology. Interested students should then contact him and include a complete CV (including relevant coursework, research experience, and any publications) as well as a brief summary of their research interests.

For further information, please email Dr. Madin directly at jmadin@bio.mq.edu.au.

UK: MSc Scholarships in Management and Information Systems

Two scholarships are being made available to developing country applicants wishing to study on either of the following University of Manchester one-year Masters degrees:

• MSc in ICTs for Development
• MSc in Management and Information Systems: Change & Development

One full (£21,000) scholarship is available on a competitive basis for applicants to any development- related Masters degrees. One partial fee-waiver (£5,500) scholarship is available exclusively for applicants to these two information systems and development- related Masters degrees.

Applicants must have applied, received and accepted a formal offer by 30 June 2008 to be considered.

Further details of these programmes can be found at:
http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/postgraduate/taught/courses/

Do please pass on details to any relevant final-year undergraduates.

Richard Heeks
E-mail : richard.heeks@manchester.ac.uk
Development Informatics Group, IDPM, SED,
University of Manchester, UK