Research Studentships @ Aberdeen

[Pan, Dr Jeff Z.]

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

RCUK Rural Digital Economy Research Hub

Transforming Rural Communities Through Digital Innovation

8 PhD Studentships

The University of Aberdeen is inviting applications for a number of PhD studentships on offer as a result of the development of a new Rural Digital Economy Research Hub funded by the UK Research Councils.

The Digital Economy Hub based at Aberdeen is one of three such centres in the UK. An award of £12.4M will fund a programme of research over the next five years, which will explore how digital technologies can be developed to enhance the delivery of crucial services such as healthcare and transport in rural areas across the UK. Around 60 research staff and students will be based in the Hub.

The Hub (www.digital-rural.org) draws together the University's research strengths in areas including computer science, communications engineering, human geography, transport, healthcare, sociology, and environmental science. Experts from across these disciplines will work together to understand and assess digital technology requirements and develop and evaluate solutions.

Eight fully-funded 3.5 year studentships are on offer to outstanding applicants in a range of topic areas; examples include:

Hybrid Wireless-Satellite Broadband for Rural Communities
Adaptive Internet Transport for the Pervasive Future Internet
Security and Privacy Policy Management
Agent Support for Team Problem Solving
Semantic Sensor Networks
Adaptive, Context Aware User Agents
Automated Generation of Natural Language
Generating Natural Language Summaries of Non-Textual Data

Agent-Aided Collaboration in Rural Emergency Care
Digital Technology and Chronic Disease Management in Rural Settings
Advanced Public Transport Systems
Digital Time-Use Diaries
Rural Enterprise and the Digital Economy
Tourism and the Digital Economy
Digital Support for Rapid Response to Environmental Change
Social Computing and Natural Resource Conservation Networks
Sustainability and Rural Digital Transformations
Community and Business Adoption Processes

Candidates for the awards must have an excellent first degree and be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.

Students working within the Hub will benefit from:

* A fully-funded three and a half year PhD programme that integrates a research project with research training in interdisciplinary skills and entrepreneurship.

* A personalised pathway through this programme giving a balance of skills across key technology areas, future applications and human and societal issues.

* A stimulating environment bringing together research staff and students from a range of disciplines to address the challenges of the Digital Economy.

* Regular seminars and meetings with representatives from industry, the public sector, government agencies.

* Supervision from international leaders across a range of research areas.

* Office and laboratory space in a dedicated environment on the King's College campus.

Awards

Each studentship will pay fees and a maintenance stipend (starting at £13,290 p.a) for three and a half years. Studentships are only available to UK applicants or nationals of other EU states who have been OEordinarily resident' in the UK for 3 years.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the application form at:

  http://www.abdn.ac.uk/sras/documents/dhapp.doc

and should specify "Digital-1" on the application.

Application forms should be returned to:

  Graduate School Admissions Unit
  College of Physical Sciences
  St Mary's,
  University of Aberdeen
  Aberdeen, AB24 3FU

Deadline for applications is Friday 14th August 2009.

Queries about the studentships should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit. Tel: [phone], Email: cpsgrad@...


The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

[Pan, Dr Jeff Z.]

Postdoctoral Research Fellow ­ Semantic Infrastructures

University of Aberdeen
RCUK Digital Economy Hub

Salary range:
£29,704-£32,458 per annum

Closing Date:
20-Nov-2009

Digital Economy is an RCUK cross-council programme, aimed at realising the transformational impact of ICT for all aspects of business, society and economy. The Rural Digital Economy Hub at the University of Aberdeen is one of three large multi-disciplinary research hubs funded through this programme, and commenced its activities in October 2009.

The Hub award to Aberdeen is worth £12.4M and will fund five years of activity. The Hub will bring together a large team of researchers (70+) working in and across the disciplines of computer science, communication engineering, human geography, sociology, transport studies, health sciences and environmental science. For further details, see: www.digital-rural.org

To support our ambitious research programme we have begun our first phase of recruitment involving 8 research studentships and 9 postdoctoral fellowships. As part of this activity we are looking to appoint a postdoctoral research fellow to work in the area of Semantic Infrastructures.

The successful candidate will have a good knowledge of the fundamental concepts underlying the Semantic Web, and the computational realisation and application of these techniques. Some knowledge of machine learning/data-mining would also be beneficial. They candidate will have a PhD or be about to complete a PhD in Computer Science. Enthusiasm for digital technology and innovation relevant to society and the economy is essential as is the ability to work in a cross-disciplinary team including colleagues in medicine and the social sciences.

Should you require a visa to undertake paid employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship and Tier 2 visa.

For further information on this post (including how to apply):
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs/display.php?recordid=RDH013R

Informal enquiries may be made to: Professor Peter Edwards
(p.edwards@...)




The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.