PhD Position in Biomedical Signal Processing-Chalmers Univ.-Sweden

In neurointensive care several biomedical signals are monitored. Particularly blood pressure and intracranial pressure (ICP) are important signals when treating patients with severe brain injury. An elevated ICP poses a danger to the patient and requires medical or surgical treatment. The project is aimed to further develop the signal analysis as well as investigate new sensing technologies with the goal to improve the diagnostic support. The work will consist of a combination of theoretical signal modeling, signal processing method development and clinical studies of neurointensive care patients.

The project is conducted in close cooperation with Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset and is funded by the Swedish Research Council.

As a Ph.D. student you will perform research, study Ph.D. courses and participate in undergraduate education. You will also attend international conferences and meetings. Applicants should have a Masters degree in Engineering (or similar competence) with interests in model-based signal processing. The objective of a Doctoral Studentship is to obtain a Ph.D. degree, with the intermediate goal to obtain the degree of Licentiate of Engineering. The time period for the position is limited to five years. We encourage women to apply.

More information about our activities can be found at http://www.s2.chalmers.se

For more information please contact Associate Professor Tomas McKelvey, tel. +46 (0)31 772 8061, e-mail: mckelvey@chalmers.se

PhD Studentship in Biomedical Sciences at Univ. of Birmingham-UK

Insulin sensitivity in muscle and adipose: Glucocorticoids, pre-receptor hormone metabolism and tissue specific cross-talk.

Supervisors: Dr Jeremy Tomlinson, Dr Iwona Bujalska and Dr Dave Smith (AstraZeneca)

The epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes has focussed attention on the need to understand the mechanisms that underpin their pathogenesis. Patients with glucocorticoid (GC) excess develop profound central obesity, insulin resistance and in some cases type 2 diabetes. However, in most patients circulating GC levels are normal. We have focussed on the tissue specific generation of cortisol by the enzyme 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 which is rapidly emerging as a therapeutic target. In addition, we have recently identified a differential impact of GC upon insulin signaling in human adipose tissue and muscle.

The project will use a wide variety of ex vivo and in vitro techniques in human adipose tissue biopsies and human and rodent cell lines to characterise patterns of gene and protein expression as well as activation of intracellular signalling cascades. The tissue specific impact of GCs upon insulin action will be explored and manipulated in a variety of systems. In addition, using novel cell culture techniques, we will explore the interaction between human adipose tissue and muscle. As part of the studentship, some time will also be spent in the research laboratories of AstraZeneca in Alderley Park.

In summary this is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to form part of an already established team investigating the mechanisms of insulin resistance with a view to the development of therapeutic strategies.

TO APPLY FOR THE STUDENTSHIP
Please send a full CV (including a statement of research experience and names of two referees) to Karen Flaye, Division of Medical Sciences, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT or email: k.flaye@bham.ac.uk

Closing date for applications is Wednesday 21st June 2006.

Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Jeremy Tomlinson via email J.W.Tomlinson@bham.ac.uk

International Scholarships at the Politecnico Di Torino – Italy

Politecnico International Scholarships

The Politecnico di Torino offers scholarships to international students:

Latin American countries students

• ALPIP: scholarships on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science, II level specializing Master, PhD.
• ASP: scholarships for international students on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science.
• Erasmus Mundus (MERIT): scholarships for international students on Master of Science on Information Technologies.

Asian countries students

• Asian countries grants: scholarships for China, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam students on ICT courses in II level specializing Master.
• ASP: scholarships for international students on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science.
• Erasmus Mundus (MERIT): scholarships for international students on Master of Science on Information Technologies.
• Italia – India: Invest your talent in Italy: scholarships for Indian students on Management and ICT on I level specializing Master, Master of Science, II level specializing Master.
• Zhong Guò: Knowledge without limits: scholarships for Chinese students on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science, II level specializing Master, PhD.

Mediterranean countries students

• ASP: scholarships for international students on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science.
• Erasmus Mundus (MERIT): scholarships for international students on Master of Science on Information Technologies.
• TOPMED: scholarships on Architecture and Engineering courses on Master of Science and II level specializing Master.

Non EU member countries students

• ASP: scholarships for international students on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science.
• Erasmus Mundus (MERIT): scholarships for international students on Master of Science on Information Technologies.

North american and Australian students

• ASP: scholarships for international students on Architecture and Engineering courses in Master of Science.
• Erasmus Mundus (MERIT): scholarships for international students on Master of Science on Information Technologies.

Bachelor Degree in Automotive Engineering – INIA project

• INIA project: scholarships for international students (in particular from India, China, Poland and Brasil) to attend the Bachelor Degree in Automotive Engineering (3-years).

If you want to apply to a Politecnico international scholarship read carefully the web site of the above listed project.

For more info website

Utrecht Excellence Scholarships 2006-2007 -Netherlands

Eligible candidates: outstanding prospective students from non-EEA countries applying for a Prestige Master’s programme or University College Utrecht
Amount of scholarship: maximum 8 500 euro/year
Number of scholarships/year: approximately 30
Provided by: Utrecht University

Aim of the programme
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship offers a number of outstanding prospective non-EEA students the opportunity to pursue a degree in a selected number of fields at Utrecht University:

• Liberal Arts & Sciences at University College Utrecht
• one of the Prestige Master’s Programmes (see below).

The scholarship programme is highly selective. Only candidates showing the highest achievement and promise may receive a scholarship.

The Prestige Master Programmes are:

1. Mathematical Sciences
2. Biomolecular Sciences
3. Chemistry and Physics
4. Cognitive Neuroscience
5. Drug Innovation
6. Epidemiology
7. Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience
8. Genomics and Developmental Biology (presently called: Developmental Biology and Biomedical Genetics)
9. Human Geography and Planning
10. Linguistics: the Study of the Language Faculty
11. Medieval Studies
12. Migration, Ethnic Relations and Multiculturalism
13. Sociology and Social Research
14. Sustainable Development
15. Theoretical Physics

Duration and number of scholarships
Selected students receive a scholarship for the duration of the degree programme, which is a maximum of two years for a Prestige Master and three years for University College Utrecht. Approximately 30 scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarship will only be renewed for the second and third year if the student is making satisfactory progress towards the degree.

Amount of scholarship
Selected students are awarded a scholarship up to a maximum of 17 000 euro for two years (Prestige Master�s) or a maximum of 16 500 for three years (University College Utrecht). Students should be aware that the grant is not a full scholarship � the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is a significant contribution towards the costs of the tuition fee. It is necessary to find additional funding to be able to finance study and stay completely. As one of the requirements for being granted a residence permit in the Netherlands, students from abroad must prove to the IND (immigration and naturalisation office) that they have sufficient financial means. The University advises a budget, not including the tuition fee, of 10 000 to 14 000 euro per year to cover costs for rent, insurance, living expenses, course books and local transportation alone.

Eligibility criteria
The applicant must meet the eligibility criteria in order to be considered for this scholarship. The applicant should:

1. Hold a non-EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (“Studiefinanciering”)
2. . Have been admitted to one of the international Prestige Master’s programmes of Utrecht University or to University College Utrecht.
3. Hold a non-Dutch relevant Bachelor�s degree or equivalent thereof.
4. Be able to comply with the conditions to obtain a Dutch visa. Failure to meet one or more of these criteria automatically means the student is not eligible for a scholarship.

Selection criteria
Eligible candidates are selected for a scholarship on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Their academic excellence and promise in the proposed field of study;
2. The academic quality and results of the preceding education, as evidenced, for example, by grades, test scores, publications, letters of recommendation;
3. The quality and relevance of the motivation letter (academic content, intercultural and communication skills, personal motivation);
4. The quality and feasibility of the financial plan in the application;
5. The quality of the application itself (completeness, accuracy, consistency).

Application
It is not possible to apply for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship. The Admissions Committee of the Prestige Master�s Programme or University College will select eligible candidates on the basis of the selection criteria mentioned above. The selected candidates will be offered an Utrecht Excellent Scholarship together with their notification for admission.

Students starting their Prestige Master’s Programmes in February 2007 are not eligible for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarships.

Funding
The funds for the scholarships come from the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Fund and the Delta programme. The Delta programme is sponsored by the Dutch government, and provides grant opportunities for students from the following 11 countries:

• Brazil
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• China
• Mexico
• Vietnam
• India
• Russia
• South-Africa
• Indonesia
• Taiwan

In 2007 the Delta programme will be replaced by a programme for non-EEA students.

Source of Info: http://www.uu.nl/uupublish/homeuu/homeenglish/studying/financialmatters/grantsandscholar/utrechtexcellenc/6180main.html

The Luisa Mallari Fellowships for M.A./Ph.D. Research in Southeast Asian Studies

The Luisa Mallari* Fellowships for M.A./Ph.D. Research in Southeast Asian Studies

http://www.seasrepfoundation.org/grant2.html

The fellowship aims to encourage the study of a Southeast Asian country other than one’s own or a comparative study across the region by master’s and doctoral students. The program supports course work and/or thesis research (documentary research and field work) and thesis
writing. In highly meritorious cases, the fellowship may also support
full Ph.D. study.Eligible to apply:
* Southeast Asian nationals, including East Timorese, under the age of 40 and enrolled in social science or humanities graduate programs in
a Southeast Asian university.
* Applicants may apply for grants to carry out research for an M.A. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation. In the case of the doctoral program, the research proposal must have been accepted by the applicant’s faculty/department prior to the application for the grant, and proof of that acceptance must be attached to the application.

* In highly meritorious cases, a grant may be made available to support full Ph.D. study of a Southeast Asian student in a Southeast Asian university (outside one’s country). The grant may be renewed annually depending on the student’s performance up to a maximum of three years. The applicant should have a master’s degree in the humanities and social sciences.

* In addition, doctoral students who are developing a dissertation research proposal may request funds to carry out preliminary field or library research leading to a formal research proposal (pre-dissertation grants). In this case, the applicant must have fulfilled all the requirements of his/her faculty/department/university prior to entering
the dissertation stage.

* Research projects must be related to the theme of the program and must include library research or fieldwork in the country or countries
being studied. The research findings must be used in the preparation of an M.A. thesis or a Ph.D. dissertation.

* Ongoing projects fall within the scope of the program, but projects which have been completed will not be considered.

Deadline of applications: 2 Octobert 2006.

For application forms and guidelines, please download here.
http://www.seasrepfoundation.org/gntform.html

* Luisa Mallari, Filipino, was a dynamic supporter of Southeast Asian
studies in the region. Specializing in Malay literature, she obtained
her Ph.D. at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and taught at the
University of the Philippines. She was a member of SEASREP’s Selection
Committee from 1998 until her demise in a plane crash on 19 April 2000.
She was 37.

Trust Jourdain Scholarship- for Masters and Doctoral Studies

The Tropical Forest Trust’s goal is to increase the area of sustainably managed forest in the tropics. We pursue this goal principally through ‘Forest Management Unit’ based projects, and by assisting major retailers to secure ‘good wood’. TFT also established the Jourdain Scholarship Fund in 2000 in order to increase the number of local foresters and policy makers in the tropics who understand the practice of sustainable forest management and who are committed to promoting it in their countries.

The Jourdain Scholarship Fund allows tropical foresters to study at leading international forestry departments, and on other specialist courses. They learn the principles and practicalities of sustainable forest management and study its links with international timber markets and forest politics. Previous ‘Jourdain Scholars’ who studied at Oxford or Yale have also benefited by making valuable contacts with other forestry and forest policy specialists during their courses.

Michael Jourdain, after whom the fund is named, was a highly experienced forester with over 40 years forestry employment worldwide, including many years in tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through much of that time Michael developed and implemented forest management plans that were focused on achieving timber production targets, at a time when this approach was widely seen as the most beneficial for the people and economies of timber rich developing countries. At the same time, Michael was a strong advocate of ensuring that the forestry operations under his control contributed to local community development. He was responsible for the building of many schools, hospitals and community centres in the tropical countries in which he worked. He grew deeply concerned both about the rapid disappearance of natural forests, and about the minimal return for local communities and national economies being achieved from this forest clearance.

Michael became a strong advocate of the FSC process and, though frustrated by FSC’s limited success in the tropics, he carried out crucial planning work on a number of TFT projects in Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia including the FSC certified PITC project in Perak State. He believed that sustainable forest management and FSC certification could only achieve their potential in the tropics with the active support of many more well-informed local forest managers and policy makers.

Sadly, Michael died in a motorcycle accident in September 2000 before seeing PITC finally certified. The Scholarship fund is named in his memory – a recognition of his practical contribution to promoting good forest management, and of his public championing of more and better trained young foresters in the tropics.

A successful candidate must:

1. Be a graduate with a Bachelors or Masters degree in forestry (Practitioners with field level experience are favored).
2. Be a citizen of one of the following countries: Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam
   Congo Basin Region: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Republic of Congo.
3. Have already been accepted on to an appropriate Masters program or other course (subject to funding).
4. Be seeking funding to enroll on: – A Masters level forestry course or short-term training course/workshop, Bachelor or Doctorate level study/research will not be funded.
   – A course offered by a department or training centre with recognized expertise.
   – A course that focuses on practical questions of forest management and administration in tropical countries.

Application documents:

• Application form (downloadable word document – below)
• Certificate of employment issued by current employer (if applicable)
• Latest graduation certificate for relevant studies
• Up-to-date letter of recommendation
• Written statement (maximum 3 pages) by the candidate that explains, in specific terms, how the proposed course will enhance his/her ability to implement sustainable forest management in their home country.
• Official description of the Masters program or other course.
• Official confirmation that the candidate has been accepted for the respective course, or accepted subject to funding
• Budget, including information about funding sources and proposed TFT contribution.

NOTE: Master programs candidates with additional funding by a second scholarship program will be favored. It is strongly recommended to search for additional funds. For information about other scholarship programs it may be useful to contact the university department or training centre directly.

Funds will usually not be paid to the student, but directly to the university or other organization providing the course to disburse to the student. Therefore, to qualify for support, the student must first be accepted onto the course by the course convenor, and will not be able to transfer the funding to any other purpose.

Application Deadlines: The next deadline for applications is the 30th June 2006

Download application form here

For more information contact: b.roberts@tropicalforesttrust.com

Source of info: http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/home/jourdain.htm

PhD Fellowships in Chemistry and Biochemistry Ruhr-Universität Bochum-Germany

The Faculty of Chemistry at RUB offers 8 fully-funded PhD fellowships, starting April 2006. These are financed by the European Commission unter Framework Programme 6, Marie Curie Actions for Early Stage Research Training (EST).

We are seeking applications from students who will be able to commence their research studies from April or October 2006 onwards. Applicants will preferably hold an M. Sc. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Physics, Material Science or any related subject.

Application and Selection Process

Requirements
Fellowships will be granted as employment contracts and include an annual travel allowance as well as a one-off carreer exploratory award. Net salary after tax and social contributions will be approx. 16’000 Euros per annum.

Students are expected to arrive as early as April 2006 with the remainder joining during the following 6 months, but no later than October 2006.

The selection of candidates will be made on the basis of aptitude to carry research projects, potential for excellence and scientific quality. Applicants who wish to be considered for INTCHEM projects must submit their application to the Graduate School of Chemistry and Biochemistry. This includes:

• the fully completed GSCB application form for international students [doc, pdf]
• two reference letters [doc, pdf]
• transcripts of records
• proof of English language proficiency

Applicants are advised to indicate the names of two potential supervisors (1st and 2nd choice) on the application form. Details regarding the general application procedure for international students are provided at GSCB admissions.

Deadline for application 31 May 2006

Selection Process
Incomming applications will be assessed on a contiunous basis. Preselected canditates will be invited for interview to Bochum.

Applications are welcome from non-German citizens with less than 4 years research experience (full time equivalent) who are:
Citizens of an EU member state (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom)

Citizens of an Associated Country (Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Turkey)

Nationals of other countries (N.B: max 2 out of 8 fellowhips can be allocated for students from other countries)

You should have a thorough scientific background at M. Sc. level in:

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Physics
• Materials Science
• Any related subject

You will be eligible provided that you have not lived, worked or studied in Germany for more than 12 months in the last 3 years. German citizens are eligible only if they have been resident outside the EU Member or Associated States for more than 4 years out of the last 5 years.

More info: http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/gscb/intchem/application.htm

PhD Studentship in Economics/Business -Universiteit van Amsterdam, The Netherland

This will be a PhD position within the VICI project on ‘License Auctions’. In the last decade, governments around the world have started to employ auctions to assign licences for scarce market positions. License auctions differ fundamentally from auctions for normal goods (art, flowers, houses, etc.) in that they can have a profound effect on the organization of the market for which the licenses are sold. The project is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The PhD student will be based at the UvA (Prof. Theo Offerman and Dr Sander Onderstal) and will have the opportunity to visit Caltech (Prof. Jacob Goeree).

Tasks
The PhD student will use game theoretic tools to investigate various aspects of license auctions, that is, their revenue and efficiency properties as well as how they affect industry structure. He or she will also compare, by means of laboratory experiments, the performance of different license auctions.

Requirements
• MSc (or equivalent) in Economics or a related field • strong background in game theory • background in auction theory • experience with experimental economics and statistical packages • proficiency in both written and spoken English.

More information
For further information, contact Prof. T.J.S.Offerman, e-mail t.j.s.offerman@uva.nl or Dr S. Onderstal, e-mail: s.onderstal@uva.nl. For more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics, visit http://www.ase.uva.nl.

Appointment
The PhD student will be appointed in the Department of Economics. The position will initially be for twelve months, to be extended to a maximum of four years (in total). The gross monthly salary will be € 1,933 in the first year, increasing to € 2,472 in the fourth year. There will also be an 8% holiday allowance.

Benefits include a good research environment, a lively research-oriented collegial atmosphere and good facilities (computing equipment, software, conference funding, etc.). The UvA is located in the centre of Amsterdam.

Job application
Candidates are requested to submit an application letter explaining their interest in and suitability for the position, a CV, two letters of recommendation from academic referees, and copies of university exam certificates and other relevant documents. Applications should emailed to: applications-feb@uva.nl. Please include the job reference code (06-5020).

Starting date: 1 September 2006 or a mutually agreeable later date. Deadline for applications: 28 June 2006.

Source of info: http://www.english.uva.nl/vacancies/object.cfm/objectid=E8FDDD18-7BDE-4CD8-B5A4D4710963E12B

Research Fellowship in Management University of Stavanger-Norway

The University of Stavanger invites applications for a four-year doctorate scholarship in management at the Faculty of Social Science in the Department of Business Administration, beginning 1 August 2006.

The department is currently involved in research and research on how governing boards function. The doctoral project takes this as a point of departure and develops theoretical and empirical knowledge on board and corporate governance issues in the context of tourism and travel destinations.

The position is funded by the University of Stavanger.
Applicants must have earned a masters degree in a relevant social science subject. It is necessary to have obtained an average grade of B or better in order to qualify. The appointee must be able to work independently and as a member of a team, be creative and innovative. Skill in quantitative social science methodology and research experience beyond masters level are considered advantageous. The research fellow must have a good command of both oral and written English.

The research fellow will be admitted to the doctoral program at the University of Stavanger on an agreement to complete the doctorate within the duration of the scholarship.

The program will be carried out at the University of Stavanger. We encourage a period of study at recognized and relevant centers of research outside the institution.

The research fellow is salaried according to the State Salary Code, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, LR 20, ltr 39, of NOK 292 200 per annum.

The position provides for automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which guarantees favorable retirement benefits. Members may also apply for home investment loans at favorable interest rates.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Dag Jenssen, telephone +47 51 83 37 28, e-mail dag.jenssen@uis.no.

The application must contain the following documents and material and be submitted in three copies:
-CV
-the form “Utvidet søkerskjema” (Information to be made available to the applicants)
-certificates/diplomas
-references
-list of publications
-up to 15 publications
-an outline of how the applicant would want to approach the field of study (maximum of four pages)
-any other documentation that the applicant considers relevant

and be addressed to:
University of Stavanger
Faculty of Social Science
4036 Stavanger

Closing date for applications is June 13, 2006

PhD Scholarships at the University of Kuopio-Finlad

Marie Curie Early Stage Researcher (PhD student), University of Kuopio

Special emphasis of studies in field of genetics, stem cell studies and imaging. (Supported by Marie-Curie Early Stage Training program) See http://www.uku.fi/bind – click “Applying” for details

Deadline for applications June 15, 2006, 3. pm. CET

Program focus: To increase understanding of neurodegenerative diseases BiND ESR programme focuses on training by research on:

1. identifying novel molecular pathways mediating neurodegeneration and repair
2. developing novel in vitro and in vivo models of human neurodegenerative disease,
3. identifying surrogate markers that predict the neurodegenerative process and its outcome, and
4. searching for novel gene mutations linked to human neurodegenerative diseases and their function in the neurodegenerative process.

We aim at providing first-class training for our PhD fellows, serving as a source of experts for academic research, clinic, and industry, and emphasizing international connections and mobility.

Program includes 2-3 courses, seminar series, summer schools, international conferences annually, as well as weekly laboratory meetings and day-to-day personal supervising.

Language: English
Degrees offered: PhD
Program duration: 2006-2009
Tuition fee: No tuition fee.

Three Fellowships supported by Marie-Curie Early Stage Training Program with special emphasis of studies in field of genetics, stem cell studies and imaging.

Training Program for max 36 months.

Contact email:
Director Hilkka Soininen, Professor,
http:// hilkka.soininenuku.fi,
Coordinator Pauliina Korhonen, PhD,
http:// pauliina.korhonenuku.fi
Www site: http://www.uku.fi/bind