UK:PhD Studentship, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

PhD Studentship in Uncertainty Quantification Project, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK

PhD studentship in Uncertainty Quantification project

Subject: PhD studentship at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Machine learning for uncertainty quantification of reservoir models

Uncertainty of complex natural systems is difficult to describe effectively within traditional parametric modelling approach. Many of relations in natural systems are vague and not transparent to capture and describe analytically. Machine learning provides an alternative way to detect dependencies from uncertain data and propagate them into forecasting models.

Machine learning will enable to integrate oblique data, which are not directly related to the modelling subject but still bear non-parametric relation with the modelled dependencies, into the uncertainty modelling framework. Data-driven statistical learning methods such as Support Vector Machines and Artificial Neural Networks are foreseen to be used to capture and describe dependencies in regression and classification problems, and define informative multidimensional prior models. Machine learning approach fits perfectly to tackle the task to eliciting and modelling prior information in high dimensions from multiple sources with feature selection/extraction techniques. Geomanifold modelling based on a recently emerged theory of semi-supervised learning is capable of integrating different sources of information from high dimensional input space.

The challenge of the project is to link contemporary machine learning algorithms with the state-of-the-art Bayesian framework for uncertainty quantification developed in the group. The work will involve application of advanced machine learning methods and recent achievement in multiple point geostatistics.

The candidate will join a dynamic and diverse team of post-docs and PhDs lead by Prof. Mike Christie. The research carried out by the team addresses aspects of uncertainty quantification including stochastic optimisation methods, geostatistics, machine learning, and employs high-level scientific computation (including a 84 node Linux cluster). The research is funded by a consortium of oil companies, and the skills acquired in while studying for the PhD are likely to be applicable to a wide range of areas, including the oil industry.

Desired skills:
The successful candidate must have a strong background in machine learning and numerical methods as well as advanced computational skills. Knowledge of geosciences modelling, geostatistics and petroleum engineering in particular will be beneficial.

To apply send a CV to Dr V Demyanov, vasily.demyanov@pet.hw.ac.uk

Closing date: 31st July 2009.

FRANCE: Scholarship in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computing

PhD Scholarship in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computing, FEMTO-ST, Besançon, FRANCE

Applications are invited for a three year PhD scholarship in the FEMTO-ST Institute (see www.femto-st.fr) at Besançon FRANCE.

This PhD project will form part of a wider project which aims to develop new mathematical tools and a general software dedicated to Arrays of Microsystems. Arrays of Microsystems have been developed and continue their expansion in a number of scientific and technical fields. The research of the project will focus on deriving general multi-scale multi-physical models able to cover large classes of such systems. The multi-scale mathematical methods will be rooted in recently developed techniques by our group or collaborators. Part of mathematical modeling will be done in collaboration with a Laboratory of Mathematics.

The scholarship is valued at about €1.000 net per month for three years. It will be available from 1 October 2009. Application to a room on the campus is possible for low rate. Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree and, preferably, a master’s qualification in Applied Mathematics, Computational Mathematics or Mechanics, or comparable postgraduate work experience.

Closing date for applications: July 15th, 2009.

Please email a CV and letter outlining your areas of research interest, along with names and contact details of two referees who can comment on your academic suitability to Dr Michel Lenczner (michel.lenczner@utbm.fr).

Further information on this project can be obtained by contacting:
Professor Michel Lenczner
FEMTO-ST
26, Chemin de l’épitaphe
25030 Besançon
phone: +33 (0) 81 40 28 27
email: michel.lenczner@utbm.fr

Italy : PhD schlarship in Economics

PhD Scholarships in Economics and Business Management, University of Venice, Italy

Admission 2009 - 2010
The School offers two doctoral programs: Economics (DEC) and Business Management (DEA). They cooperate and share most activities.

There are 5 three-year fellowships available for DEC and another 5 for DEA.

Classes start on September 1st, 2009. Most first-year classes are common across the two programs.

The general application procedure is similar for the two programs, with minor differences. Please make sure to carefully read the relevant information for the program you wish to apply for: DEA or DEC.

Separate applications are required for either program. Simultaneous applications to more than one program are possible.

An application must abide by the statute of their respective “Bando” (Official Advert) as published on the Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana. The official version of each Bando is available from the website of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice following the path Offerta Formativa -> Dottorati di Ricerca -> Scuola Superiore di Economia - SSE. (With a bit of luck, this dynamic link should get you there in one click.) Links to the necessary documents are in the grey box on the right-hand column. You can also download a copy of each Bando using the links posted in the admission page of the program you wish to apply for.

Brief GUIDELINES ON HOW TO APPLY - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS A:Y 2009/2010
These are guidelines to assist you in making your application to the SSE Doctorate programs 2009 and should be considered as informal information and are in no way legally binding.
1- Read official announcement carefully
2 – Download attachments A, B & C
3 – Read all attachments carefully
4 – Compile attachment B (application form)
5 - Ensure you have the obligatory documents to include with the application form Attachment B - see list below
6 – Where necessary (original foreign qualifications without legal translation) fill out attachment C
7 – You should put your application and all attachments in an envelope and put the following phrase on the envelope:
Domanda di ammissione alle Scuole di dottorato di ricerca 25° ciclo (A.A. 2009/2010)
(Application for admission to Research Doctoral schools 25th cycle – AY 2009/2010)
Dottorato di ricerca in
(Research doctorate in) [please indicate the doctoral course]

8 –Deadline: Ensure that your application arrives by and not after June 23rd, 2009 at 12.30. Applications arriving after this time will not be accepted.

You can hand deliver your application to e Accoglienza studenti, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venice (1st floor), during opening times to the public: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9.30am to 12.30pm; Wednesday also from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

or
you can send it via express/registered mail (with note of receipt) or by private courier to Università Ca’ Foscari
Ufficio Protocollo Informatico, Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venezia, arriving no later than Tuesday 23rd June 2009 at 12.30pm. It must arrive by this time and not sent by this time
You must attach a photocopy of your identity card (or other proof of identity) to the application form.

Obligatory attachments to the application form:

• Statement of purpose written in English language -The candidate should describe his/her professional goals and research interests, as well as providing any information useful to evaluate him/her (but not implied by the other attached documents) (no more than 15.000 characters)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Degree Certificate –or equivalent qualification: Grade/marks of degree, title of the dissertation and a dissertation abstract of no more than 30.000 characters.

At least two letters of recommendation from university professors or scientific researchers (one letter has to attest the candidate’s adequate knowledge of English language) Please use the online form.

Foreign academic qualifications: if you have foreign academic qualifications you are required to attach the following:
- the academic qualification certificate including the list of exams taken, with sworn translation into Italian and Apostille;
- a “statement of value”, issued by the Italian embassy/consulate in the country where the institution issuing the academic qualification is based certifying that the qualification is valid for registration at a university course – in that country - equivalent to the Research doctorate in Italy.

If you are unable to provide the “statement of value” document within the application deadline, you must fill in attachment “C”.
In this case candidates will be admitted to the competitive examinations “under reservation”. Therefore, if they qualify for admission as winners, they will have to submit the required original documents at the time of enrolment

All candidates must be in possession of the qualifications requested at the time of applying for the doctoral program, 23rd of June 2009, otherwise they will be excluded from the competitive examination.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS/ DOCUMENTS to include with your application – not obligatory

• Curriculum studii (w.marks)
• Publications consistent with the Doctoral program aims, including working papers
• Masters and other advanced courses
• Research experiences with university or research institutions
• Prizes, grants
• Score in GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or similar standard tests

Please note:
-You can not apply electronically
-All applications must be sent to address stated above
-All documentation must be in English (preferred) or in Italian

CLOSING DATE: 23rd of June 2009

For more information about applications to DEA and DEC, please contact (scuoledottorato@unive.it); tel.: +39-041-234-7962).

website link: Click here >>

UK : PhD Studentships at Thames Valley University

PhD Studentships, Thames Valley University, UK

Research Studentships
The Vice-Chancellor’s full-time research studentships at Thames Valley University

Thames Valley University (TVU) is among just three London universities to climb 17 places or more in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2008. To celebrate TVU’s performance in the RAE2008 and strengthen our research student base, the Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter John is pleased to announce a number of research scholarships, ranging from Art and Design to Nursing.

The scholarships will cover full UK/EU tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £15,290 per annum for up to three years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified students to commence study in September 2009. You should hold or expect to be awarded a 2 (i) Hons degree or above. A Master’s degree in an appropriate subject area is desirable. Those candidates whose first language is not English must demonstrate evidence of appropriate English language proficiency, normally defined as a minimum IELTS score of 7. In addition to their PhD studies, duties will include up to 6 hours per week (during term time) assisting with teaching on appropriate modules.

Informal academic enquiries may be directed to Professor Sibel Roller, Head of Graduate School, sibel.roller@tvu.ac.uk

To apply, send your full Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter indicating your area of interest and including a supporting statement of no more than 500 words describing your reasons for wishing to undertake a research degree to Maria Pennells, Graduate School, Thames Valley University, St Mary’s Road, London W5 5RF (researchdegrees@tvu.ac.uk). If applicable, evidence of English language proficiency should also be included.

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 12 June 2009.

If short-listed for one of these awards, you should be prepared to attend an interview at TVU in London in June/July 2009.

Italy : PhD Scholarships in Economics

PhD Scholarships in Economics at LUISS Guido Carli, Rome, Italy

Positions available for enrollment in the PhD in Economics, academic year 2009-2010

For the academic year 2009-20010, eight positions are available. All positions are tuition free. Four positions come with a scholarship.

The deadline for submitting an application is May, 29, 2009. Courses start October 2009.

Requirements:
Students applying for the Doctoral Program must have completed a Laurea Magistrale or a Laurea (vecchio ordinamento) or any other equivalent foreign (bachelor) degree. If you hold a bachelor degree granted by a foreign institution, you have to obtain a legal transcript translated in Italian along with a certificate of validation (dichiarazione di valore) issued by an Italian diplomatic office in the same country where the degree was granted.

Deadline:
May 29 2009. Applications from students who will complete their degree by July 31 2009 will also be considered. Along with the application form, students must provide:
1. one reference letter,
2. a transcript showing exams passed, date of completion and marks awarded.

Admission procedure.
Based on the above documents, the personal resume and any other academic degrees and certificates that the candidates may want to submit along with their application (such as the GRE, GMAT or certificates of English proficiency), a subset of candidates will be selected for a colloquium to be held at LUISS G. Carli (viale Romania 32), July 3, at 9am. In the colloquium, the Selection Committe will test the candidate potential and ability to carry out academic research in economics.

Notification of the colloquium.
By June 18 we will notify by certified e-mail the applicants who are admitted to the final colloquium.

Download the official call.

Summing-Up
Deadline for application May 29, 2009
Notification of the adimission to the colloquium June 18, 2009
Colloquium July 3,2009
Notification of admission July 3, 2009
Course starting Mid-September

Applications must be sent to: Ricerca e Didattica - Dottorati di Ricerca - LUISS Guido Carli - Viale Romania, 32 - 00197, Rome.

For additional information and enquires, write to phd.economics@luiss.it

website link: click here