PhD Studentship in in Environmental Microbial Genomics

Ireland: PhD Studentship in in Environmental Microbial Genomics, University College Dublin

A PhD studentship is available within the School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin (http://www.ucd.ie/bioenvsci/index.html). The project will focus on the isolation of novel anti-phytopathogenic agents from soil microbes using functional metagenomics. The student and a postdoctoral scientist will create and screen a soil metagenome library and assess the ability of clones within this library to suppress the growth of several well characterised phytopathogenic fungi. The candidate will preferably have good molecular biology skills and will be joining the UCD Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions group. This group use functional genomics, cell biology, proteomic, and screening techniques to identify antifungal organisms and characterise their antifungal activity. The Project is part of a collaboration involving the research groups of Dr Fiona Doohan from the School of Biology & Environmental Science at University College Dublin, Prof. Alan Dobson from the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at University College Cork and Dr Julian Marchesi from the School of Biosciences, at Cardiff University, in Wales. The postdoctoral scientist will be located at the ERI and it is anticipated that the PhD student will also spend a period of time at the ERI; the ERI are currently using metagenomic methods in a variety of environmental settings to explore the potential of microbial communities to provide novel products and products with biotechnological applications.

The Project is funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture & Food through the Research Stimulus Fund Programme.

This is a three year PhD studentship, and it provides annual funding of €21,000 - €25,000 (to cover both fees and stipend). Please send a current CV and cover letter, together with the names of 2 academic referees to Dr. Fiona Doohan, School of Biology and Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Tel: +353-1-7162248, email fiona.doohan@ucd.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications is October 22nd, 2008.

Visit web site for more information.

PhD Positions in Data Mining, Waterford Institute of Technology : Ireland

Department: TSSG (Telecommunications Software & Systems Group)
Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland

Minimum Qualification Required:

• Possess a Master degree in Computer Science or a related discipline.
• Have strong programming skills of Java and experience of implementing numerical algorithms with Java
• Have a good understanding or some experience in the following areas: database, statistics, machine learning, or data mining.
• With good written and spoken English, and ideally some existing publications

Major Duties:
Develop the novel algorithms and systems of distributed data mining

Applications should include:
- a curriculum vitae with a list of publications,
- a cover letter and a statement of research interests,
- the names and e-mail addresses of two references.

Applications should be sent by e-mail with Subject “PHD Position” to: hfu@tssg.org

For further details regarding the research project, please contact Dr. Huaiguo Fu (hfu@tssg.org ).

Closing Date : 01/09/2008

PhD Research Opportunities in Micro- and Nano- Engineering

PhD Research Opportunities in Micro- and Nano- Engineering, University College Cork

The International Centre for Graduate Education in Micro- and Nano-Engineering (ICGEE) is an inter-university, inter-disciplinary and international organisation providing a student-centric doctoral
research and education experience with a unique international flavor and perspective.

It brings together nine Irish partners, including:

Eight third level higher education institutions
Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
University College Cork (UCC)
University College Dublin (UCD)
University of Limerick (UL)

One professional engineering accreditation body
Engineers Ireland

Five international partners
Chalmers University of Technology (CTH), Sweden
Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (INPG), France
Northwestern University, IL, USA
University of Edinburgh, UK.

The ICGEE offers:
A global curriculum with a wide spectrum of specialist academic courses from leading experts in Europe, the US and Asia World-class research opportunities. The opportunity to build an international peer network amongst the next generation of young internationally focused global engineering leaders.

Information for Applicants
Currently we are recruiting 1st and 2nd year PhD students. The application procedure and financial support available is different depending on which year of your PhD programme you are in. Please select the appropriate option:

1st Year PhD Candidate
2nd Year PhD Candidate

Information for 1st Year PhD Candidates
ICGEE Scholarships
An ICGEE scholarship of €24,000 per year over 4 years will be offered to all successful applicants to include a stipend (€16,000), travel and the equivalent of an EU Higher Education Institution (HEI) fee.

Application
An application may be submitted to any of the Irish partner HEI’s within the ICGEE. Institutional affiliation is compulsory for admission to the ICGEE programme and the ICGEE admissions process
will run in parallel with that of the selected host institute. The PhD research must fit within the ICGEE key research areas: Micro- & Nano-Engineering Design and Materials & Manufacturing. Potential candidates should have a first class primary degree or a Masters level education. For students whose first language/mother tongue is not English, an IELTS score of minimum 6.0 is required. Your application dossier must contain the following documentation:

• A signed ICGEE cover sheet (download the cover sheet here)
• Copy of Host University application form

A Personal Statement describing yourself, your scientific interests and why you want to join the ICGEE programme (max 1 page). Your application package should be scanned and emailed to info@icgee.ie

Information for 2nd Year PhD Candidates
ICGEE Scholarships
Students studying in an Irish HEI can avail of a scholarship of €6000 from the ICGEE programme that will provide for costs relatedto travel over the remaining three years of study for the PhD.

Application
Potential candidates should have a 1H or MSc-level education They must have completed their first year of their current PhD in an Irish HEI. Institutional affiliation is compulsory for admission to the
ICGEE programme. The PhD research must fit within the ICGEE. For students whose first language/mother tongue is not English, an IELTS score of minimum 6.0 is required. Your application dossier must contain the following documentation:

• A signed ICGEE cover sheet (download the cover sheet here)
• A Personal Statement describing yourself, your scientific interests and why you want to join the ICGEE programme (max 1 page)
• A CV
• Reference letter from your supervisor.

Your application package should be scanned and emailed to info@icgee.ie

DEADLINE
Only applications received before 1 September 2008 will be considered.

MORE INFORMATION
For any additional queries, please contact:

Patricia Hegarty,
ICGEE Administrator,
Department of Microelectronic Engineering,
University College Cork,
Ireland
Tel:+ 353 21 490 4575

Research Associate Position in System Identification for Network Anomaly Detection

Research Associate Position in System Identification for Network Anomaly Detection, Hamilton Institute, Ireland.

Applications are invited by well-qualified applicants for a postdoctoral post and a postgraduate position in the development of new system identification/time series analysis techniques for anomaly detection in network devices (firewalls etc).

Supported by a major manufacturer, initial work in the area has made use of linear predictive models and real-time monitoring. This has achieved good success but we now want to extend consideration to monitoring of more sophisticated measurements (including per process discrete state information) in order to encompass a wider range fault and operation conditions. The project will involve the development of new approaches for predictive modelling of measured signals, adaptive learning and inference of fault conditions. The project is supported by a dedicated hardware testbed and as part of the project the developed detection approaches will be implemented in order to evaluate performance in realistic environments.

Good numerate and analytic skills will be essential. Some familiarity with networking and Linux or BSD systems will be helpful.

The Hamilton Institute is committed to research excellence. This post offers an exciting opportunity for successful candidates to tackle fundamental research problems within a stimulating multi-disciplinary research environment with state of the art facilities and strong links to the international research community.

Postgraduate Stipend: €21000 (tax free)
Postdoctoral scale: €45704-63094

To apply, candidates should submit a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees for
letters of recommendation to: doug.leith@nuim.ie

Postgraduate applicants should also include transcipts of undergraduate grades, motivation letter.

PhD and Post Doctoral Positions in Ubiquitous Robotics

PhD and Post Doctoral Positions in Ubiquitous Robotics at the Clarity Centre : Ireland

The Clarity Centre is now seeking well-qualified, motivated researchers who want to be part of a world-class research group in Ubiquitous Robotics, and Sensor and Adaptive Information Technology.

Applicants for PhD (funded) positions should have/expect to achieve at least a 2.1 in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or a related discipline with a keen interest in research. A broad range of Post-Doctoral positions are also available to qualified and well motivated individuals with clear interest in CLARITY’s research vision.

Motivated applicants should first identify the research package/s according to their expertise and/or interest. Applications should be sent to the relative principal investigator (PI) directly together with
max one page cover letter and CV.

Research in Ubiquitous Robotics:
Some of the available positions will address the area of robots integrated in ubiquitous, pervasive, and intelligent environments. Such robots are part of open and distributed networks of sensors, actuators, and computing services, which can also act as a shared information space for both the robots and the humans they interact with.

Some of the relevant research directions foreseen within this area are:
The application of Agent-Oriented Software Engineering (AOSE) and Multi-Agent System (MAS) coordination techniques to develop distributed and adaptive software architectures.
These architectures are defined in terms of distributed and autonomous software modules (agents), which can exhibit global self-configuration properties and can also deliver context-sensitive and personalized services to both the users and the robots in the environment.

The integration between robots and wireless sensor networks
(WSNs), that is, robots acting as mobile gateways or otherwise working to the advantage of networks
of wirelessly connected sensors, e.g. carrying out maintenance, localization, and calibration operations in applications such as security, search & rescue, and surveillance systems.

Further information:
The CLARITY CSET is a partnership between University College Dublin and Dublin City University, supported by research at the Tyndall National Institute (TNI) Cork. CLARITY is a collaboration between a number of specialist teams across the institutions who have already strong track records in sensor technology. It builds on work undertaken by the SFI-funded Adaptive Information Cluster, which is led by 5 principal investigators from UCD and DCU.

The Clarity Centre is located in the School of Computer Science and Informatics, University College Dublin (UCD) in Dublin, Ireland. UCD has over 22,000 students including 2,500 international students from over 80 countries and is situated on a large modern campus 4 km to the south of the centre of Dublin.

Find general information about vacancies at the Clarity Centre at: http://www.clarity-centre.org/vacancy.

The application form can be downloaded at:
http://www.clarity-centre.org/files/csi-pgrad-app.doc

The application should be sent to one of the Principal Investigators (PIs) (see http://www.claritycentre.org/content/principal-investigator)

Applications inherent to robotic research can be addressed to Gregory O’Hare

(gregory.ohare.ucd.ie).

Requests for further information can be sent to Mauro Dragone

(mauro.dragone@ucd.ie).

PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology : Ireland

PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology, Trinity College Dublin

A PhD studentship is available to study helminth modulation of allergic responses in the Inflammation and Immunity Research group in Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. The Inflammation and Immunity Research team is based in well-equipped laboratories in the Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin. The Institute of Molecular Medicine is a new state-of-the-art facility devoted to basic and translational research.

The project will involve investigation of the immunological mechanism that helminths use to suppress allergic inflammation (Fallon and Mangan, Nature Rev Immunol 2007). The student will focus on characterizing helminth immune modulating molecules and analysis of their function (Smith et al., J Exp Med 2005; Fallon and Alcami, Trends Immunol 2006). Applicants should have experience in basic molecular biology or cell biology.

The studentship is funded for 3 years by Science Foundation Ireland commencing October 2008. The closing date for applications is Friday, 8th August.

Application
To apply please email a brief cover letter and a PDF copy of CV along with names and contact information for 2 referees to immunol@tcd.ie

Deadline: Friday, 8th August, 2008

Master and PhD Positions in Geoinformatics and Climate Change, University College Cork

The Geography Department and Coastal and Marine Resources Centre of University College Cork, Ireland, have two funded research studentships available to commence in October 2008. The studentships cover university fees at the EU level, and an annual stipend. The PhD project aims to address issues of the use of Geoinformatics technologies for predicting the effects of climate change with respect to those coastal areas that are most at risk.

The potential benefits of integrating remotely sensed data derived from satellite, airborne and field sources, with other spatial information will be considered. Automated image processing routines will be developed in order to better understand the coastal system at present. Through scenario testing of potential climatically induced terrestrial, marine and meteorological changes, the response of different coastal habitats will be modelled to provide greater insight into the present and future functioning of marsh, dune, lagoon and estuarine environments along the Cork coastline. The use of geovisualisation for communication of results to local interest groups will also be explored.

The MSc project will explore the utility of high spatial resolution, multispectral optical and SAR satellite data to map the habitat distribution and vertical expansion/contraction and stability of raised bogs. Methods to characterise habitat distribution include the investigation and classification of the
combined multispectral optical and SAR data. Advanced supervised classification techniques will be explored using both hard and soft/fuzzy classifiers in attempting to classify peatland species and habitats. Interferometric techniques, using a time series of C-band and L-band SAR images, will be used to determine the feasibility of identifying and quantifying centimetre level vertical displacements within the bog.

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in an Earth, Environmental or Engineering Science discipline. Experience in remote sensing, image processing, quantitative environmental science and in undertaking fieldwork would be an advantage. For further information please contact:

Dr Fiona Cawkwell (e-mail: f.cawkwell@ucc.ie, telephone: +353 (0)21490 2707) for the PhD project or Dr Ned Dwyer (e-mail: n.dwyer@ucc.ie, telephone: +353 (0)21 470 3104) for the MSc
project.

Applicants should send a copy of their CV, with the names and addresses of 3 referees, plus a brief statement outlining their academic interests and their reasons for wishing to undertake this research project to the email addresses above.

Closing date for applications is 25th July 2008.

PhD Studentship in Agricultural Economics : Ireland

PhD Studentship in Agricultural Economics, Teagasc & University College Dublin

This project evaluates the economic costs and benefits associated with alternative management practises of Genetically Modified (GM) crop technology. Specific research questions relating to the following issues will be examined: (i) a comparison of the costs of co-existence accruing to conventional crop producers and the potential benefits accruing to GM adopting producers (ii) factors affecting farmer’s attitudes to GM technology adoption and (iii) consumer willingness to pay for GM versus non GM food end products. This study will provide valuable lessons for policy by deepening our understanding of the economics of co-existence of conventional and GM crop technology.

The PhD student will be based part-time at the Rural Economy Research Centre, Teagasc and the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Business Section, School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin. There is also the possibility that the student may spend a semester at a US university collaborating with experts in the area of consumer willingness to pay studies in relation to GM technology.

Requirements

• Degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Science or related discipline
• An interest in applied microeconomics in particular agricultural or environmental economics
• Excellent quantitative skills.

Conditions of employment Stipend: €21,000 per annum (from which tuition fees must be paid) Duration of the contract: 3 years beginning September, 2008

Additional Information Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Dr. Fiona Thorne Email: fiona.thonre@teagasc.ie

Application Interested candidates should either post or email their CVs before June 13th to Dr. Fiona Thorne, RERC, Teagasc, Malahide Road, Kinsealy, Dublin 17, Fiona.thorne@teagasc.ie

Deadline: June 13th, 2008

Ireland: PhD Position in Physics of Nanostructures, Tyndall National Institute

A new group (Epitaxy and Physics of Nanostructures) was established in January 2007 at Tyndall National Institute (http://www.tyndall.ie) under an SFI (http://www.sfi.ie/home/index.asp) Principal Investigator grant. The group is led by Dr. E. Pelucchi. The research will concentrate on the epitaxy, optical properties and spectroscopy of site controlled Pyramidal quantum dots and wires [1] and on their extension to telecommunication wavelengths.

This novel approach to site controlled quantum wires and dots (QD) growth has been pioneered by Dr Pelucchi in the group of Prof Kapon in EPFL, using MOVPE growth on a pre-patterned substrate to achieve reproducible QD emission spectra with, for example, the lowest inhomogeneous broadening to date for a QD epitaxial field. The high level of growth control makes such nanostructures ideal candidates for studies and devices related to quantum communication/information processing (efficient single photon emission being a good example), enabling the achievement of atom-like energy states whose energy and electronic wavefunction can be engineered at the nanoscale level by acting on a few parameters, so that the dots can, in principle, be individually and unambiguously (optically and electrically) addressed and controlled.

[1] M. Baier, E. Pelucchi, S. Watanabe, and E. Kapon, Appl. Phys. Lett. 84, 1943 (2004); M. Merano, S. Sonderegger, A. Crottini, S. Collin, P. Renucci, E. Pelucchi, A. Malko, M. Baier, E. Kapon, B. Deveaud, J-D. Ganière, Nature 438, 479 (2005); Q. Zhu, E. Pelucchi, S. Dalessi, K. Leifer, M.-A. Dupertuis and E. Kapon, Nano Lett. 6, 1036 (2006).

The PhD position is open for candidates of EU nationalities. We welcome applications from talented candidates with strong motivation and experimental skills.

Application
Please email or send (max 500 kB) a CV with the address of at least one reference to:

Dr. Emanuele Pelucchi, SFI Principal Investigator
Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Cork, Ireland
Email: emanuele.pelucchi@tyndall.ie

Ireland: PhD Positions in Civil Engineering, University College Dublin

Ireland: PhD Positions in Civil Engineering, University College Dublin

Applications are invited for up to 2 funded PhD positions in the School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering at University College Dublin.

The following topics are available:

1. Environmental effects of recycled asphalt on groundwater quality
2. Influence of recycled asphalt on the fatigue performance of asphalt layers

Further details on each of these projects are available at:
http://www.ucd.ie/arcel/civileng/research/reroad_phd1.pdf
and
http://www.ucd.ie/arcel/civileng/research/reroad_phd2.pdf

Interested applicants should have a good honours degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or a related discipline. Applicants should have good computer skills and a good grasp of bituminous materials and/or water chemistry. The successful candidates should also have excellent command of English. Previous and relevant work experience and/or further graduate studies would be beneficial. The project is funded by the European Union 7th Framework Programme Re-Road and Direct-Mat projects; the successful applicant will initially register for a Master degree with progression to a PhD dependent on performance. The PhD studentship will be awarded for three years with a total annual value of 20,000 euro (including fees). Note that successful candidate will be required to pay a postgraduate registration fee; fees for EU citizens are circa 5,000 euro per annum; for non-EU citizens fees are circa 10,000 europer annum.

Questions & Application
Further information can be obtainedbycontacting Dr Ciaran McNally at ciaran.mcnally@ucd.ie . Applications should include an up to date CV with 2 references and a cover letter and can be sent by email or to:
Dr. Ciaran McNally,School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering,Newstead, Belfield, Dublin 4, IRELAND.

Ireland: Research Positions in Software Appliance Anomaly Detection

Ireland: Research Positions in Software Appliance Anomaly Detection

Applications are invited by well-qualified applicants for an MSc (by research) and PhD position in the application of statistical machine learning techniques to anomaly detection in software
appliances (firewalls etc).

Supported by a major manufacturer, the project will involve the development of new approaches for predictive modelling of measured signals, adaptive learning and inference of fault conditions. The project is supported by a dedicated hardware testbed and as part of the project the developed detection approaches will be implemented in order to evaluate performance in realistic environments.

Good numerate and analytic skills will be essential. Applicants should have a good understanding of machine learning and time-series analysis. A basic understanding of IP networking and some familiarity with the configuration and use of Linux or BSD systems will be helpful.

The Hamilton Institute is committed to research excellence. This post offers an exciting opportunity for successful candidates to tackle fundamental research problems within a stimulating multi-disciplinary research environment with state of the art facilities and strong links to the international research community.

Stipend: €21000 (tax free)

To apply, candidates should submit a detailed CV and the names and addresses of two referees for letters of recommendation to: hamilton@nuim.ie. Applicants should also include transcipts of undegraduate grades, motivation letter. Informal enquiries to Prof. Doug Leith (doug.leith@nuim.ie)

More information : www.hamilton.ie

Ireland: PhD Studentship in Optical Switching Network Modelling

Ireland: PhD Studentship in Optical Switching Network Modelling and Optimisation, Dublin City University

Applications are invited for a funded three-year PhD Studentship position with the Research Institute for Networks and Communications Engineering (RINCE), Dublin City University, Ireland. Applicants should hold a higher honours degree in engineering, computer science or mathematics, be self-motivated and have a strong enthusiasm for pursuing new knowledge and solving problems in the general areas of mathematical modelling and optimisation of optical switching networks. Their research programme, leading to the degree of PhD, will focus on investigating, developing and validating mathematical methods for guaranteeing cost/performance levels in Optical Burst Switched networks through use of analytic network resource modelling, multi-objective non-linear optimisation techniques and design and implementation of discrete-event simulations.

The closing date for applications is July 31st 2008 and the position will commence in autumn 2008.

A studentship of €17,000 per annum is offered with university fees paid.
Further information is available here.

Contact: Dr. Conor McArdle (mcardlec[ at ]eeng.dcu.ie, +353 1 700 5619) or Prof. Liam Barry (barryl@eeng.dcu.ie, +353 1 700 5431), RINCE, School of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Computing, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland.

This project is supported by the Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) Research Frontiers Programme under grant number 08/RFP/CMS1402.

Ireland: PhD Scholarships in Software Engineering

Ireland: PhD Scholarships in Software Engineering, The Lero Graduate School in Software Engineering (LGSSE)

Are you interested in:

• a leading-edge curriculum drawn from four of Ireland’s leading universities;
• access to a critical mass of world-class software researchers who form an expert advisory board for each student;
• generous PhD studentships covering stipend, equipment and fees – awarded on a competitive basis;
• ability to leverage your research collaborations with leading research institutions and industry worldwide.

The Lero Graduate School in Software Engineering (LGSSE), the main education initiative of Lero - the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre, offers a four-year PhD program provided jointly by the four leading Irish Universities involved in Lero (Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University of Limerick).

The LGSSE program cycle begins in September 2008. The first year includes taught modules in research theory and practice, as well as technical software engineering modules. Also during the first year the candidate will prepare a research proposal that will be the basis for a three-year individual research project.

In this way LGSSE combines the best features of the European and U.S.A. models of PhD education.

Entry requirements (one of the following):

• at least a 2.1 honours (or equivalent) computer/engineering-related bachelors degree, or;
• at least a 2.1 honours (or equivalent) bachelors degree in a non-computing (preferably a numerate) related subject, together with fi ve years of software-related work experience, or;
• a computer/engineering-related masters degree, or;
• a masters degree in another domain, together with fi ve years of software-related work experience.

For further information please contact:

Professor Brian Fitzgerald
Program Director
Tel: +353-61-202720
Email: lgsse@lero.ie

Ms Patsy Feighery
Program Administrator
Tel: +353-61-233782
Email: lgsse@lero.ie

Visit website at: www.lgsse.ie

Ireland: PhD Possition in Early Warning Modelling, University College Cork

PHD Position

In computer science with applications to risk and environmental modelling

• To be appointed to the Cork Constraint Computation Centre (4C),University College Cork (http://4c.ucc.ie)
• Research project: Supporting then Concept of Early Warning Analysis (SCEWA), funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (http://4c.ucc.ie/scewa).
• Salary @ approximately 22k Euros per annum

Project Objectives

1. To develop an intelligent early warning system in water treatment plant operations.
2. To define a modelling language for designing intelligent early warning systems.
3. To build a prototype software platform to help user in designing intelligent early warming systems.

PhD Objective
Definition of a modelling language for early warning systems.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate for the post will have:

• Bachelor/Masters Degree in engineering (Civil, Environmental or Chemical) or in Environmental Sciences or in Computer Science
• Good knowledge in modelling languages and modelling techniques
• Experience with programming language-s
• Also, knowledge in risk analysis methods is an added value.

Additional information

• Available at http://4c.ucc.ie/scewa
• Closing date for applications is Friday 2 May 2008.
• Please forward curriculum vitae, as well as names and contact details of two referees, electronically to Dr. Ioannis Dokas (i.dokas@4c.ucc.ie)

Ireland: PhD Scholarship in Health Services Research, University College Cork

PhD Scholars Programme
Health Services Research
Integrated health care: from research to policy and practice

Exciting Opportunities for Health, Social Science, Computer Science and Humanities Graduates

This structured PhD programme, funded by the Irish Health Research Board, commenced in 2007 and has an annual intake of postgraduate Scholars over 4 years. The programme is a joint initiative of senior academic staff from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. They constitute the Health Services Research Institute. The Programme theme is “Integrated healthcare: from research to policy and practice”.

This 4-year PhD Scholars Programme features:

• Relevant taught modules
• 10-week specialist rotations in Irish health-related data collection agencies in the first year
• Choice of PhD project from an extensive range during the first year
• Opportunities for multidisciplinary research
• Supervision by internationally renowned Principal Investigators
• Placement with a prestigious overseas agency to further PhD project development in Year 2
• Professional skills training allowance
• Travel awards to international conferences
• Annual stipend of €18,000 plus laptop computer plus PhD fees

This programme provides excellent training for Scholars in core research skills needed to deliver an evidence basis for health service evaluation and planning. Project opportunities are available in the following broad and overlapping areas:

• Cardiovascular and related diseases - secondary prevention
• Integration of care - older populations, epilepsy, stroke, diabetes
• Pharmacoepidemiology and health informatics
• Health economics and health policy
• Oral health
• Quality of life and quality of care
• Gerontology
• Global health

Application Procedure
We welcome applications from candidates expecting or possessing a first or upper second class honours degree or equivalent in any health, social science, computer science or humanities area.

Email applications only by Friday 18th April 2008 to hsriadmin@rcsi.ie

For further information or enquiries, see:
http://www.rcsi.ie/hsri_phdscholarsprogramme

Italy: 2008 MSc Scholarships in Various Fields, Politecnico di Milano

Scholarships for Master of Science Programmes available for the year 2008/2009

Thanks to the cooperation with public and private partners, for the incoming year 2008/09 all the international students applying to one of our Master of Science courses taught in English, will be considered for merit based scholarships.

• CCIAA Camera di Commercio di Milano
• Fondazione Cariplo
• ICE
• Unioncamere

Programmes held in Como and Lecco campuses, entirely taught in English:

• Building Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Management Economics and Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Scholarship for Management Economics and Industrial Engineering programme - One scholarship of 10,000€ offered by the Banca di Credito Cooperativo dell’Alta Brianza will be assigned to one foreign student from Ecuador that has been admitted for the academic year 2008/09 to the Master of Science programme in Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering offered in the Como campus.

Please visit, for detailed information on the scholarship

Programmes held in Milano campus, entirely taught in English:

• Architecture
• Urban Planning Policy Design
• Product Service system Design
• Computing System Engineering
• Material Engineering

All international students who fill-in the on-line application form and deliver the required documentation to the International Admission Office both during the first call (from October 15th 2007 to January 31st 2008 ) or second call (from February 1st to April 15th 2008), will automatically be considered for purely merit-based scholarship that covers both tuition fee and accommodation. Students obtaining a scholarship will have to pay only a nominal tuition fee of €144.

Via: official announcement

Ireland: PhD Studentships in Applied Microeconomics

Ireland: PhD Studentships in Applied Microeconomics, Trinity College Dublin

University of Dublin, Trinity College
PhD Position in Applied Microeconomics
Department of Economics

Job description
This project analyses the impact of recent policy changes on various aspects relating to the agri-food sectors in Ireland and other EU countries focussing in particular on Denmark and the Netherlands. Using the Irish National Farm Survey a micro approach is taken that allows specific research questions relating to: 1) productivity and competitiveness; 2) the changing structure of production systems in terms of farm numbers, the role of economies of scale, specialisation and system switching; and 3) the wider rural community to be addressed. The availability of a comparable survey for Denmark and the Netherlands presents a unique opportunity for the Irish experience to be compared to that of similar regions of Europe facing the same set of constraints but with significantly different sectors in terms of structure, organisation and the role of government supports This study will provide valuable lessons for policy by deepening our understanding of the important issues facing the agri-food sector in Ireland at the micro level and observing how the Irish experience compares to that of similar European regions. The project will also explore alternative uses for land post-decupling focussing in particular on opportunities in relation to organic farming and alternative energy sources drawing on the successes of the Danish experience.

The PhD student will be based at the Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin. The student will spend some time at the University of Kent in the UK and at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands working with leading economists on farm survey data and project related modelling issues.

Requirements

• MSc degree or equivalent in Economics
• An interest in applied microeconomics in particular agricultural or environmental economics
• Excellent quantitative skills (i.e. econometric modelling).

Conditions of employment
Stipend: €16,000 p.a. plus tuition fees
Duration of the contract: 3 years beginning April 1st, 2008

Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Carol Newman
Phone: +353 1 896 3709
Email: cnewman@tcd.ie

Application
Interested candidates should either post or email their CVs before March 1st to Dr. Carol Newman, Department of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. Email: cnewman@tcd.ie

Deadline: March 1st, 2008

Ireland: 165 MSc/PhD Scholarships in Sciences, Engineering and Technology from IRCSET

IRCSET’s Embark Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme is designed for either Masters or Doctorate level researchers in the sciences, engineering or technology.

2008 Programme [First Call] NOW OPEN

The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering & Technology invites applications for funding from intending postgraduate researchers under the Embark Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme (2008).

This first call in the 2008 programme will fund up to 165 Masters or Doctorate level researchers in the sciences, engineering and technology.

The scheme is open to candidates worldwide with a number of scholarships also being available to exceptional candidates from non EU member states.

A number of additional scholarships will be jointly funded by industry as part of IRCSET Enterprise Partnership Scheme (see below for details). This scheme fosters mutually beneficial collaboration
between the academic and commercial research sectors.

The Closing Date for all applications will be 5pm, Wednesday 20th February 2008.

Please link here for the news release announcing the 2008 programme.

INTENDING CANDIDATES SHOULD READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

Applications will only be received via the Online Grants Applications System which is available below.

All candidates should carefully read the terms and conditions below for details on eligibility criteria.

Only candidates with academic records at higher honours level are likely to be successful in receiving funding.

Enterprise Partnership Scheme
Within this call, a number of Enterprise Partnership Scheme Awards are also being offered in conjunction with participating industry partners. The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology gratefully acknowledges the valuable participation of these organisations.

Applicants can indicate on their application if in addition to consideration for an Embark Initiative award they also wish to be considered for an Enterprise Partnership Scheme scholarship.

Through the Enterprise Partnership Scheme scholars are co-funded by both IRCSET and an Enterprise Partner. Industry’s participation and co-funding role has enabled IRCSET to support many more young researchers in Irish research bodies.

The researcher receives the same financial support as a postgraduate scholar under the normal Embark Initiative Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. However, they also benefit from expert industry supervision and gain experience of research in an industrial environment.

Our list of partners and projects is updated periodically. For up to date details, please click here.

Under the Postgraduate Research Scholarship Scheme, funding of €24,003 is provided for each of three years for Doctorate level research (total funding of €72,009) and one year (€24,003) for
Masters level research.

Of the €24,003 maximum per annum available to Masters and Doctorate students, €16,002 goes directly to the student with the remainder available to fund other forms of support such as fees, appropriate travel and other expenses.

For more information, please visit the link below:

• Post Graduate Research Scholarships
• Online Application