Collaborative PhD Studentship
Characterisation of ion channels in nasally innervated trigeminal neurones of the guinea-pig
Life Sciences Division
The University of Hertfordshire Life Sciences Division has a thriving postgraduate research programme and particular strength and emphasis in collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry

This is an exciting project in collaboration with and part funded by GlaxoSmithKline (Stevenage). The student will be based at the UH campus at Hatfield and will have opportunities to visit and work at GSK, Stevenage.

Brief project outline
The project will exploit the airways expertise of the respiratory group at Stevenage and the TRP ion channels expertise at UH. The aim of the project will be to increase our understanding of the contribution of sensory nerves to important respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma and rhinitis. The project will focus on the characterisation of ion channels present within sensory neurons of the guinea-pig trigeminal ganglia using patch-clamp electrophysiology and Calcium imaging techniques.

Applicants should hold or expect to obtain an Upper Second or First class degree in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology or closely related subject.

PhD Studentship
HSMC
Departmental PhD Bursaries 2008
The Health Services Management Centre (HSMC) in the School of Public Policy invites applications for PhD studentships at ESRC rates. In order to closely match candidates with potential supervisors within the department, we particularly encourage applications from candidates who are interested in the following topic areas.

• Theory and practice of partnership working:
• Health inequalities policy:
• NHS modernisation:
• Ritual, performance and organizational leadership

Enquiries and applications:
An application pack, including forms and further details of topic areas, is available from: Kate Vos, Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, Park House, 40 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2RT. Email: c.j.vos@bham.ac.uk Phone: 0121 414 7050

The University of Manchester
BBSRC Industrial CSE PhD Studentship
Modelling dynamics and compliance in the lung during respiration using MR imaging
Imaging Sciences Research Group
Dr. Josephine Naish & Professor Geoff Parker

The School of Cancer & Imaging Sciences is inviting applications for a distinguished four-year BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship commencing from September 2008. The studentship is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding and will attract an annual stipend of £15,440 in addition to tuition fees.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by a progressive and incompletely reversible obstruction of airflow in the lungs due to an abnormal inflammatory response resulting from long term exposure to inhaled toxins. COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020.

Although lung function tests provide vital diagnostic and monitoring information, they are measures of global lung function and do not provide information about local changes due to disease. X-ray computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice for imaging anatomical changes due to disease in the lung because the high resolution multi slice scans can be acquired in a single breath-hold. However, dynamic imaging of the lungs over the respiratory cycle in order to obtain functional read-outs or biomechanical information is impractical with CT due to the prohibitive radiation doses required.

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allow non-invasive assessment of pulmonary morphology during free breathing and offer the potential for direct evaluation of lung mechanics in-vivo. Functional imaging techniques such as oxygen-enhanced and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR may additionally allow assessment of lung ventilation and perfusion but in order to produce regional parameter maps it is necessary to register images acquired at different phases of the breathing cycle.

The aims of this PhD project are:

To develop a 3D biomechanical model of the human lung during normal respiratory motion using structural non-invasive MR images.
To apply this model to the registration of functional MR images.
To apply this model to the assessment of regional lung compliance in healthy volunteers and in patients with COPD.
The project will involve both the optimisation of MR acquisition protocols and the development of non-rigid registration algorithms so would suit an individual with a degree in physics or related scientific discipline with a strong mathematical component (minimum 2:1).

PhD graduates in this discipline are well placed to progress into the biotechnology and biomedical R&D sector or obtain post-doctoral positions. Therefore the project presents an ideal opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in an area of immense clinical importance.

Interested candidates should submit a CV and detailed covering letter outlining their suitability for the project to Dr Josephine Naish at josephine.naish@manchester.ac.uk. Contact details for two academic or professional referees should also be provided.

For further details on the study or to confirm your suitability please contact Dr Naish at the above address.
Although there is no closing date for applications, candidates are encouraged to express interest at their earliest opportunity.

http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk...magingsciences

PhD Studentship
Neural Correlates of Ageing
Department of Psychology
Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences
(Ref 4609)

Applicants are invited to apply for a prestigious three-year studentship based in the Department of Psychology, University of Surrey (http://www.psy.surrey.ac.uk). The studentship is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding.

We are looking for a candidate with an interest in the study of cognitive ageing using neuroimaging methods. The aim of the project is to establish a closer understanding of sensorimotor processes and cognition in older persons by using cognitive paradigms and electrophysiological methods (i.e. electroencephalography (EEG)). The latter provides a powerful tool for the study of age-related changes in information processing that are linked to stimulus evaluation, response selection and/or motor execution, as well cognitive phenomena such as error processing. The project will combine standard ERP analysis techniques with other approaches such as frequency and coherence analysis, and source localisation methods.

The studentship may be of interest to BSc or MSc graduates in Psychology, Psychological Research Methods, or Cognitive Neuroscience holding a first or upper second class (2.1) degree. The applicant should ideally be experienced in experimental psychological research. Knowledge in computer programming and ERP recording are advantageous but not necessary. Strong skills in written and oral communication and good organisational skills are essential. The applicant should be committed to team work, but also show the ability to work independently. The post holder will be encouraged to conduct independent research (i.e. designing experiments, data collection & analysis) that is presented at international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. He/she will join a team of eight researchers and postgraduate students working with Professor Sterr.

The person completing this PhD will have acquired multidisciplinary skills and knowledge that are relevant and valuable in various areas of psychological research. EEG research is a field of expertise that is well established in many research centres throughout the U.K. and experts in this field have very good future employment opportunities.

The post is available from April 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter. Informal enquiries may be made to Prof. Annette Sterr (A.Sterr@surrey.ac.uk) or Dr. Ellen Seiss (E.Seiss@surrey.ac.uk).

To apply online, please visit www.surrey.ac.uk/vacancies. Alternatively contact Stephanie Lesanne via email at s.lesanne@surrey.ac.uk or by telephone on 01483 682605 quoting reference number 4609. To send an application, please email or post to Stephanie Lesanne, School of Human Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH.

Loughborough University
PhD Studentship
A Non-Hydrostatic Model For Atmospheric Flows: Numerical Development
The Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
The Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering is one of the largest and most successful engineering departments in the UK and boasts an established reputation for excellence in teaching and research, as well as strong links with industry. We conduct a diverse range of internationally-recognized research programmes. We have an established research group working on LES modelling mainly for application to combustion in engines. This extents to environmental flows and pollution.

Applications are invited for a PhD student to work on the development of unstructured mesh non-hydrostatic atmospheric model. Advanced non-hydrostatic models operating on structured (Cartesian type) grids are routinely used for highly turbulent atmospheric flow simulations. However, with a progress of computing, there is an increasing need for a more flexible meshing, allowing for an easy implementation of adaptive techniques. The project offers a pioneering research in this area. The work will build on the existing high resolution hyperbolic and elliptic solvers and will have strong emphasis on turbulence modelling involving work on Large Eddy Simulation. Applications will be primarily directed towards environmental flows.

Prospective candidates will have a good honours degree (1st or 2:1) in CFD, Numerical Methods, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Fluid Mechanics, Engineering, or other related disciplines. Programming and model developments experience will be of advantage. Experience with applying commercial CFD codes is of secondary relevance to this project. Strong maths is essential.

This fully funded, three-year, PhD studentship provides for

i) UK/EU students: a tax-free bursary of £11,000 p.a. , and all fees (approx. £3,000 p.a.) are paid.

ii) Overseas students: a tax free bursary of £8,000 p.a. , and all fees (approx. £12,000 p.a.) are paid.


For an application form and a list of supporting documents contact: Mrs Jo Mason, e-mail: J.R.Mason@lboro.ac.uk

Research Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students
Session 2008/09
University of Leeds International Research Scholarships
The University of Leeds is pleased to offer up to five full and up to three partial Maintenance Scholarships to successful applicants in the 2008 Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS) Competition. The Scholarships may be held for up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. The Scholarships will pay a full maintenance award of £12,900 or partial maintenance of £2,500 for Session 2008/09.

Eligibility Criteria - Applicants must:

have applied for an ORSAS Award at the University of Leeds;
hold a degree which is equivalent to a UK First Class Honours Degree;
if awarded a full maintenance award of £12,900, must not hold another Scholarship which provides a maintenance grant;
must be commencing PhD research degree study for the first time in Session 2008/09;
be eligible to pay fees at the International Fee Rate;
not already hold a doctorate or equivalent qualification.
Application Process:

All eligible ORSAS applicants will be automatically considered. Further information is available at: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/rds/schol/irs-info.htm or Email: scholarships@leeds.ac.uk.

ORSAS Awards at Leeds
Further information and Application Forms are available at:
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/rds/schol/orsas-info.htm or Email: scholarships@leeds.ac.uk.

PhD Positions
Wind Engineering
Wind Engineering is a wide ranging multi-disciplinary subject that has developed over the last few decades, and is concerned with the effects of wind on the natural and built environment. These effects can be both catastrophic, leading to the failure of major buildings or other structures, or can lead to discomfort and disruption. However, the wind can also have a number of beneficial effects not least of which is the opportunity to provide a clean and renewable source of energy.

A number of possible PhD positions exist for suitable candidates.

For further details please visit the "Research Vacancies" section at www.wind.bham.ac.uk

Scholarships
Graduate Center of Economic and Social Research
The Graduate Center of Economic and Social Research at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) welcomes applications from highly qualified post-graduated students from all over the world to attend its structured doctoral training program in economics and social sciences.

Applicants must hold a MA degree or a diploma in economics, business and administration or social sciences in order to apply. Degrees from other related fields (such as civil engineering or statistics) also fulfil the admission requirements of the program. Students with a degree in economics follow the economic track that leads to a PhD in economics; students with a degree in sociology follow a social science track which leads to a PhD in sociology. There is a number of core courses that both groups of students will attend.

The German Institute of Economic Research DIW Berlin is one of the leading economic research institutes in Germany. We are an independent, non-profit institute involved in economic research, service and policy advice. We co-operate closely with universities in Berlin and Brandenburg and in international academic networks.

The goal of Graduate Center’s activities is to provide young, outstanding doctoral students with a research environment and a training structure that will develop their talents in an accordingly exemplary manner. It leads them to a deep understanding of economic and social processes and offers them the opportunity to apply their knowledge within the professional research environment of one of the leading economic think tanks in Germany. The 3-year program follows a dual training approach. It offers

high-level core and field courses in the first year

one research internship in Berlin

a three month stay in Washington DC including advanced courses by US-based scholars and research activities at international renowned think tanks

on-the-job training within research projects of the DIW Berlin in the 2. and 3. year.
After successfully finishing the programme students have submitted a number of papers to refereed scientific journals. They will receive a certificate confirming participation together with a doctoral degree.

The Graduate Center offers a scholarship of 1000€ per month in the first year to each doctoral student admitted. After successful completion of the first year the doctoral students are assigned to the research departments of the Institute. Research positions are offered depending on the volume of research projects under work.


Application procedure and further information: Please contact our website: www.diw.de

Finite Element Analysis Of Granular Material Behaviour
School of Engineering and Electronics
Finite element method (FEM) is one of the most powerful tools in analyzing granular material behaviour. In combination with constitutive models of granular materials, the finite element analysis can provide both qualitative and quantitative predictions of granular material behaviour under any geometries, configurations and loadings.

The proposed research is to employ advanced elastoplastic constitutive models for granular materials to simulate the behaviour of granular materials in a wide range of boundary value problems, such as filling and discharging in silos, soil-structure interactions.

Candidates with at least a 2.1 honours degree are sought in mechanical and civil engineering or physics. Understanding of computational modelling and programming would be advantageous.

Informal enquires can be made to Dr Yunming Yang (email: y.yang@ed.ac.uk; phone: +44(0) 131 6519028). An application form can be obtained (downloaded) from: http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgra...ons/forms.html or from: the Graduate School, School of Engineering and Electronics, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JL (Phone: 0131 6505573, Fax: 0131 6503677, email: Liz.Paterson@ed.ac.uk)

PhD Studentship in Earthquake Loss Estimation
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Imperial College is ranked fifth best university in the world (Times Higher QS World University Rankings 2007).

Applications are invited for a fully-funded studentship based in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Imperial College London. This studentship represents a great opportunity for someone of outstanding calibre and promise. The successful applicant will join the Willis Research Network (http://www.willisresearchnetwork.com/) which is an exciting new, industry-lead research initiative dealing with the quantification of losses resulting from natural hazards (catastrophe modelling). The work will be conducted under the joint supervision of Professor Julian Bommer and Dr Peter Stafford of the geotechnics and structures sections respectively.

Applicants should have completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in civil engineering (or a related relevant discipline) and should have excelled during the completion of this degree. Holding a Masters degree (or equivalent) in a related field such as seismic risk analysis, earthquake loss assessment, earthquake engineering or engineering seismology is considered desirable, but is not a prerequisite for the position. Applicants should be industrious, dedicated, highly-motivated, ambitious, confident and co-operative individuals. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are also essential.

The primary focus of the proposed research is to develop methodologies to accurately estimate the distributions of damage and loss to societal infrastructure resulting from earthquake related hazards. Attention will be paid to enhancing existing practices in characterizing earthquake ground-motions as well as improving the manner with which the estimation of seismic hazard is coupled to the quantification of physical damage and financial loss. New, or enhanced, methods for estimating damage and losses within a probabilistic framework will be developed so that uncertainties may be appropriately incorporated and quantified throughout the loss estimation process. The unique relationship with the Willis Research Network will expose the applicant to opportunities not usually available to doctoral candidates. A corollary of this relationship is that the research outcomes will be directly made available to those in society concerned with the estimation of such hazards and risks.

For further information regarding the nature and scope of the research please contact Dr Peter Stafford (p.stafford@imperial.ac.uk) or view the website of the Willis Research Network (http://www.willisresearchnetwork.com).

The start date for this studentship is negotiable and no appointment will be made without the prior approval of the chairman of the Willis Research Network. All applications, consisting of a CV and cover letter as well as any supporting documents that the applicant deems relevant, should be sent directly to Dr Peter Stafford (p.stafford@imperial.ac.uk) in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.