Postdoctoral Fellowship Position The Gilder Lehrman History Scholars Program 2011

The Gilder Lehrman History Scholars Program provides an opportunity for the next generation of historians to experience primary-source research and to work closely with eminent scholars.

The Gilder Lehrman History Scholars Program has two components:

Gilder Lehrman History Scholars (10 students) are invited to participate in a five-week research program in New York City from June 26 to July 30, 2011; each student is awarded a fellowship worth $10,000 that includes tuition, books, field trips, a travel allowance of up to $600 for transportation to and from the program in New York City, room and board, and a $2,200 stipend.

Gilder Lehrman One-Week Scholars (30 Finalists) will be invited to a one-week program in New York City from June 18 to June 25, 2011; each student is awarded a fellowship worth $1,500 that includes tuition, field trips, a travel allowance of up to $600 for transportation to and from the program in New York City, and room and board. The weeklong program fosters an interest in American history through field trips, discussions with professionals about careers for history majors, and lectures by leading scholars such as David Brion Davis, Christopher Leslie Brown, and Pauline Maier.

Eligibility:

At the time of application (February 15, 2011) students:

Must be considered sophomores or juniors in an accredited college or university. (Must have completed at least one full year of undergraduate work before applying and should expect to return to school for a full year of undergraduate study after the program)
Must have completed at least one course in college in American history
Should expect to major or specialize in American history or American studies.
Notifications will be mailed to all candidates by March 16, 2011.

Applications from international students and minority candidates are strongly encouraged.

Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology M. Hildred Blewett Scholarship

To enable early-career women to return to physics research careers after having had to interrupt those careers. The scholarship consists of a one-year award of up to $45,000 (applicants can apply in a subsequent year for one additional year of support). Allowed expenses include dependent care (limited to 50% of the award), salary, travel, equipment, and tuition and fees. Overhead charges by the institution are not allowed.

The applicant must currently be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or resident alien of the United States or Canada. She must be currently in Canada or the United States and must have an affiliation with a research-active educational institution or national lab. She must have completed work toward a PhD. Applicants are strongly encouraged to be members of the American Physical Society.

History of the Award

The award was established from a generous bequest from M. Hildred Blewett, an accelerator physicist who died in 2004. Hildred Blewett was passionate about physics and wanted to help women overcome obstacles by establishing the scholarship.

Rules & Eligibility

The applicant must currently be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or resident alien of the United States or Canada. She must be currently in Canada or the United States and must have an affiliation with a research-active educational institution or national lab. She must have completed work toward a PhD.

Application Process

All applications are reviewed by a sub-committee of the Committee on the Status of Women in Physics. The Blewett Scholarship application process opens in the fall and the application deadline is in June 2011.

Contact detail

Email: blewett@aps.org

Source: http://www.aps.org/programs/women/scholarships/blewett/index.cfm

PhD and Postdoc Positions Scholarship in Solar Radiation and Energy, 2010

Overview

An excellent PhD opportunity is available for a joint project with the Weather and Energy Research Unit at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University in the area of Solar Radiation and Energy.

The appointed PhD student will develop a solar radiation and energy forecasting system aimed at improving the way in which solar energy produced by a selection of energy devices is integrated into the electricity grid. Such a system may eventually be implemented operationally by bodies such as the Australian Energy Market Operator and/or solar power farms operators.

This work will involve analysing solar radiation output from Numerical Weather Prediction models by comparing it with historical observations in order to improve our understanding of the physical processes relevant to solar radiation. The forecasting system will then capitalize on this detailed analysis. Other areas of weather and climate science will benefit from this solar radiation analysis.

Key Capabilities

- An understanding of meteorology, especially of solar radiation processes, and effects of clouds and aerosols.
- Familiarity with at least one software language for data analysis (possibly R)
High level interpersonal skills suited to effective interaction with other members of the research team and industry contacts.
- Demonstrated high level of communication skills.
- Active support of the CSIRO code of conduct and HSE requirements.

Key Result Areas/Duties

- Analyse solar radiation data from observations (in situ and satellite) and model output for Australia with a possible extension to a wider region using a standard software program (e.g. R, IDL, Matlab).
- Investigate and improve our knowledge of solar radiation forecasts provided by Numerical Weather Prediction models.
- Investigate and improve our knowledge of the interaction between solar radiation and solar energy production for a selection of energy devices.
- Develop a solar energy forecasting system using a combination of Numerical Weather Prediction model output and historical data for a selection of energy devices.
Write and submit research papers, and a Ph.D. thesis

Applications

Scholarship applications close 30th November 2010, but the search may remain open until the position is filled. The selected PhD student will be awarded a research support budget of up to AUD 24,000 per annum.
“Applicants should submit a brief statement of practical and academic suitability for the proposed research topic, a current curriculum vitae, academic transcripts and contact details for two referees.”

For enquiries on the scholarship please contact: Dr Alberto Troccoli on +61 2 6246 5759 (alberto.troccoli[at]csiro.au)

For enquiries on admission to the Fenner School please contact: Dr Janette Lindesay (janette.lindesay[at]anu.edu.au) or Dr Frank Mills (frank.mills[at]anu.edu.au)

If you experience difficulties applying online call 1300 301 509 for assistance. Outside business hours please email csiro-careers@csiro.au

Source: https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/job_details.asp?RefNo=2010%2F815

phd position CUCAS Excellent Students Scholarship Spring Semester

The CUCAS Excellent Students Scholarship is a scholarship program set up by CUCAS independently, to encourage outstanding international students who apply for Chinese universities on CUCAS's website.

1. Scholarship Recipients
Outstanding international students who successfully apply for Chinese universities on the CUCAS website.

2. Scholarship Details

2011 CUCAS Excellent Students Scholarship Amount Quota Application Time
Spring Semester First Prize US $2,000 1 Starts: Oct.1 2010
Ends: Jan 30 2011
Second Prize US $1,000 2
Referral Awards US $200 3
Fall Semester Learn more>>

3. Eligibility
Applicants must observe Chinese laws and regulations.
Applicants must be friendly to Chinese people and respect Chinese multiplicity of cultures and customs.
Applicants must be non-Chinese nationals in good health.
Applicants must be CUCAS registered students (Register Now).
Applicants must apply for 2011 spring programs on CUCAS (Find a Program) and be accepted by the university (when the application status changed to "Accepted" on CUCAS).

4. Scholarship Application
Applicants should submit the scholarship application directly to CUCAS after receiving an electronic acceptance letter sent by the university.
Application starting date: Oct. 1 2010
Application deadline: Jan. 30 2011
Announcement of the evaluation results: Feb. 7 2011


6. Application Documents
These application documents should be submitted directly to CUCAS.

CUCAS Scholarship Application Form (Fill out the form online)
Certificate/diploma of highest education (Graduation certificate in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization.)
Academic transcript of highest education (Transcript in languages other than Chinese or English should be translated into Chinese or English and be certified by notarization.)
Certificates of honors

7. Notes
Scholarship applicants can only choose ONE scholarship to apply for: CUCAS University Scholarship or CUCAS Excellent Students Scholarship.
Scholarship applicants cannot apply for CUCAS scholarships when they have applied for or received any other scholarships.
CUCAS reserves the final right of interpretation of these detailed implementation regulations.

Application Deadline : 30 January 2011

Homepage: http://scholarship.cucas.edu.cn/HomePage/content/content_7.shtml

Contact Adress:

Contact Email: service@cucas.cn

Postgraduate Scholarship Arts and Social Sciences Studentships

The Department of Arts is pleased to offer new postgraduate research studentships for uptake in January 2011.
The Department of Arts is a leading centre for supporting and energising creative practice and academic study informed by cultural partnerships and inter-disciplinary collaborations and promoted by national and international networks. Located in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, a vibrant city with a flourishing visual and performing arts scene and home to numerous creative and cultural venues, the aim of the Department of Arts is to make a difference to the artistic and cultural landscape through the delivery of excellence in student support, learning and teaching, dedicated research and scholarly activity, reflective professional practice, knowledge exchange and enterprise.

The Department is home to 44 academic staff who are renowned specialists in their particular fields, and include fine artists, photographers and performers whose work is exhibited at venues across the world, and choreographers, writers and research active staff who publish widely and collaborate with the cultural sector and creative organizations internationally. In addition the Department supports over 25 doctoral students who make a significant contribution to research and knowledge exchange in the Department, and the work of the Department is supported by three experienced administrators.

Our research and enterprise activity – whether through practice or in written form – explores in innovative and diverse ways the complexity of culture and the cultural field. Divisional staff were submitted against Art and Design and History of Art, Architecture and Design UoA in the 2008 RAE. The majority of their work was identified as of an international quality and much of it was acknowledged as internationally excellent or outstanding.

The Department is offering a number of studentships, to commence in January 2011. These postgraduate Research studentships have been designed to provide students with high quality supervision from experts in their field and involvement in the vibrant research culture within the Department.

Successful applicants will receive:
• A full fee waiver (home and EU students only)
• £7,000 per annum bursary for 3 years (all students, including international)
• A dedicated work station within a good quality working environment
• Access to funds to support research expenses (conferences or library visits).

Who we are looking for
We are looking to recruit candidates of the highest quality, with the capability of submitting excellent theses within the standard PhD duration of 3 years. You will need to demonstrate a strong performance in your first degree (probably a first) as well as a good MA qualification. We will, however, consider candidates straight from undergraduate degrees where there is evidence of exceptional academic ability. Prospective candidates from overseas should contact us concerning entry requirements.

Studentships available:
1. The textual and cultural interconnections between American independent cinema and independent music
Principal Supervisor: Dr Jamie Sexton

2. Contemporary British Social Realist Cinema: Space, Gender, Authorship and Genre
Principal Supervisor: Dr James Leggott

3. Conservative Consumption? The Inspiration of Japanese Flora in Victorian Design
Principal Supervisor: Dr Elizabeth Kramer

4. Deleuze and the theatre of Samuel Beckett
Principal Supervisor: Dr Laura Cull

5. A History of Korean Horror Film
Principal Supervisor: Dr Alison Peirse
Second Supervisor: Professor Peter Hutchings

6. Pressed, Stained, Slashed, Folded: Paper - A Medium for 21st. Century Fine Art Practice?
Principal Supervisor: Ms Sian Bowen

7. States of Transience: Drawing and Museology
Principal Supervisor: Ms Sian Bowen

Full project descriptions

To apply, please use the online Studentship Application Form and submit to Scott Burdon at az.pgr@northumbria.ac.uk
Informal enquiries are welcome – for further details please contact Dr Ysanne Holt (ysanne.holt@northumbria.ac.uk)

Postgraduate Scholarship Life Sciences Studentships

The School is pleased to offer the following studentship vacancy:

Neurocognitive Performance in Type 2 Diabetes (Our Ref: RS10-LS01)
Applications are invited for a three year full-time PhD studentship at Northumbria University, investigating neurocognitive performance in type 2 diabetes. The successful applicant will work under the supervision of Dr Michael Smith (Northumbria University), Dr Leigh Riby (Northumbria University) and Dr Rachel Mitchell (Durham University).

The project will involve novel investigation of the cognitive domains which are adversely influenced by poor glucose regulation (in ‘healthy’ individuals), as well as in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. The project will comprise empirical studies relating to our ongoing work on glucose regulation and cognitive functioning, however there will be some scope for the successful applicant to develop some of their own studies relating to this area of research. The project will involve both behavioural cognitive testing and EEG/ERP techniques, with the possibility of conducting some functional neuroimaging work.

Full project description

How to apply:

You should apply using the University’s Research Studentship Application Form. Further details on the University’s Research Studentship Scheme, together with the Application Form, can be found on our main research studentship page.
Applications should be submitted to: Mr Paul Agnew (paul.agnew@northumbria.ac.uk)

Deadline for applications: 31st October 2010
Interview date: November 2010
Start Date: January 2011

Application Deadline : 31 October 2010

Postgraduate Scholarship 11 FEM Fellowships starting on Spring

Research and Innovation Centre welcomes applications for 3-years research fellowships to support brilliant and highly motivated students to get the PhD title in the fields covered by the Centre.

We welcome applications from students of all countries. The official language of the programme is English. Applications can be sent from 13 September 2010.

General information

Eleven (11) scholarships are available for PhD research in the fields covered by the strategic research areas of our Centre: Environment and Natural Resources Area , Food Quality and Nutrition Area, Genomics and Crop Biology Area. Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their curriculum and of the letters of reference. Letters sent by the applicants will not be considered (see below the form for the reference letter).

The grant is for three years and the expected start is February 2011 (Spring 2011 at the latest). The gross salary is 20.000 Euros per year. Students will also benefit of funding for travelling to our projects’ partner institutions as the projects include a minimum period of 6-months-stay at the institution co-responsible for the single PhD project.

There is a general empowerment of the student choice when applying to our PhD research projects. Candidates can postulate for one to three specific projects (see list).

Selected candidates are awarded a 3-years fellowship. The scholarship can be additionally extended for up to 1 year, pending the approval of the FEM PhD Fellowships Committee.

Please note that the CRI issues a specific certificate of attendance, but candidates are asked to register at the doctoral school of the University partner of the project or of another University, in order to get the conferral of the PhD degree. The selected candidate has 1 year time from the start of the contract to register at the University doctoral school. If the candidate fails to register within the first year, the scholarship will be interrupted.

Admissions requirements

Candidates should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields relevant to the research projects (earth or life sciences disciplines, included environmental engineering, e.g. biology, chemistry, ecology, mathematics, environmental science…).

DEADLINES

CRI PhD Office receives applications from September 13 to October 18, 2010.

Application deadline 18 October 2010.



DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION PACK

To apply, send by e-mail the application form and your cv (1 page) in pdf format only and a scanned copy of your passport or identity document.

Ask your referees to send directly the letters to this e-mail address:
phdfem[AT]iasma.it

Please find hereafter the form for the reference letter: it has to be signed and sent in pdf format to the given address.
Reference letters sent by the applicants will not be considered. Please inform your referees early enough to give them enough time to transmit the letter!

Please find hereafter the form for the reference letter: it has to be signed and sent in pdf format to the given address.
Reference letters sent by the applicants will not be considered. Please inform your referees early enough to give them enough time to transmit the letter!

Download

• Call Application 2010-2011 - file pdf, 120 Kb
• Application form 2010-2011 - file word, 142 Kb
• Reference letter - file word, 105 Kb

Postgraduate PhD scholarship in Climate Change Effects to Plant Ecosystems

Applications are invited from talented young candidates for a PhD scholarship in effects to plant ecosystems from climate change.

The PhD will be enrolled at Ecosystems programme, Biosystems Division at Risø DTU. The Ecosystems programme work on effects of climate change to ecosystems, ecosystems feedback, adaptation and mitigation as well as ecosystem modeling in relation to climate change. The project will be carried out within the highly interdisciplinary and international research environment in the division. The project will employ some of the advanced experimental facilities the division has for conducting studies of climate change effects on ecosystems and biological processes, including advanced phytotron, controlled environments, field scale experiments and laboratories. The scholarship is carried out in close collaboration with the Nordic NordForsk initiative within the project ‘Sustainable primary production in a changing climate.

The project
The PhD project is related to effects of climate change on plant production, quality and sustainability. Climate change will change plant ecosystems and affect conditions for plant growth, and in that way affect not only yield and composition of crop biomass, but also change the ecosystem demands for nutrients, pesticides and water. The project will explore how future climate change scenarios will affect plant production and fungal disease severity in selected model crops; the results will be used by collaborators for modeling the sustainability of the future crop production. Part of the PhD will be devoted to study plant adaptation and acclimation to fast abiotic and biotic stress by the use of molecular tools for gene expression profiling and physiological measurements.

The PhD project will focus on understanding of key processes in plants under abiotic and biotic stress in multifactor stress scenarios e.g. with elevated CO₂, ozone, temperature, limited water and foliar diseases. Plant population responses and feedback to climate change through genetic composition or gene expression will be explored in experiments with spontaneous and deliberate plant selection over a number of generations. The experiment will be carried out in Risø DTU’s advanced experimental facilities and include extreme events as part of the climate manipulation.

Qualifications
Candidates should have (or obtain) a master’s degree in molecular plant biology, plant physiology or plant breeding, or similar competences. A candidate with experience in molecular methods and plant population genetic analysis will be preferred.

Approval and Enrollment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrollment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointments terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The scholarship is for 3 years. Main supervisor is Senior Researcher Rikke Bagger Jørgensen (Risø DTU) and co-supervisors are Professor Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio (MTT, Finland), Senior Researcher Teis Mikkelsen (Risø DTU) and Associate Professor Michael Lyngkjær (KU Life).

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Rikke Bagger Jørgensen, + 45 21331109, rijq@risoe.dtu.dk, or Senior Researcher Teis Mikkelsen, + 45 46774162, temi@risoe.dtu.dk.

Applications
We must have your online application by 27 October 2010. Please open the link "apply for this job online", fill in the application form and attach the following documents;

a) A letter motivating the application (cover letter). As part of the application we also welcome suggestions to which ‘in detail studies’ could be part of the PhD project
b) Curriculum vitae
c) Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
d) Conversion of grade averages to Danish grades (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet for the conversion here).

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master's degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Apply for this job online

PhD position INTERNATIONAL PHD PROJECTS IN INTELLIGENT COMPUTING

Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences
Institute of Computer Science, Polish Academy of Sciences
Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology
are launching
INTERNATIONAL PHD PROJECTS
IN INTELLIGENT COMPUTING
Coordinator: Sławomir Zadrożny, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Systems Research Institute PAS)

financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the
Operational Programme Innovative Economy operated by Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) in the framework of the International PhD Projects Programme (MPD)

The candidates from all around the world may apply to carry out one of the proposed 15 research projects!
The successful candidates will be supervised by leading Polish and foreign experts in a cutting edge computer science area!
They will be provided with scholarships (3000 PLN and 4500 PLN during the stay in Poland and abroad, respectively + 500 PLN for social security) for 4 years or until they defend their PhD theses!
They will spend at least 6 months with foreign partners – leading academic institutions in Europe and beyond!
The recruitment is under way - details are given here.

Intelligent Computing is one of the high-tech trends of modern computer science. It provides methods and tools for building complex learning systems, able to adapt and evolve as well as to act in an intelligent way what was so far reserved for human beings. Our „Intelligent Computing” project, carried out by the consortium of 3 Polish and 16 research institutions from all around the world, provides PhD students with a unique opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of leading scientists and prepare their PhD dissertations in one of the most innovative fields of science. It is expected that the project will result in both new theoretical findings concerning the foundations of Intelligent Computing and in novel applications in the areas of multi-agent technologies, data analysis and mining, decision support systems and other. There will be 15 PhD students working within the project, selected in a careful recruitment process taking into account e.g., the background of the candidates and their good command of English.

The successful candidates will be simultaneously enrolled to a special track of the PhD Studies at the Systems Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences.

(There are two call for applications planned. The first call is expired on 20 Sep 2010. However, second call will be announced in Dec 2010.)



An application submitted in the first stage of the recruitment procedure should include the following documents:

Mandatory documents:
a scientific CV (template available here) in English, including e-mail address and phone number, current affiliation (if any), educational background, list of publications (if any), information on scientific awards received, research experience, etc.;
please include at the end of your CV the following statement: "In accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act of 29th August 1997, I hereby agree to have my personal data processed and stored by the Institution for recruitment purposes”.
a certified copy of an MSc diploma or equivalent (academic degree compatible with the requirements for the doctoral student status in Poland) or information on the planned defense date of the MSc thesis before November 1, 2010, confirmed by the candidate’s supervisor (in English or Polish),
an official copy of the transcript (academic record),
in case of candidates who have successfully completed the first year of a PhD programme – written opinion on the candidate from his/her present supervisor (in English),
a letter of interest, stating the candidate’s motivation and qualifications to carry out research on at least two topics selected from among those proposed by the consortium and open for the application in this Call (in English). Feel free to contact the supervisors of particular research tasks to get more details on each of them; e-mail addresses are provided together with the descriptions of the tasks here.
Optional documents (submission of these documents is not a prerequisite for admitting the candidate to the recruitment process, but they will contribute to an overall evaluation of the candidate):
a letter of recommendation,
copies of scientific publications authored or co-authored by the candidate,
documents confirming the candidate’s experience in research work (former positions at universities and other research institutions, notably internships abroad; scientific scholarships; participation in scientific projects/grants, etc.).
documents confirming the candidate’s participation in scientific conferences, workshops, summer schools etc.,
documents stating English proficiency.

An application package comprising electronic versions of the above documents should be sent by e-mail to the following address:

The receipt of the documents will be confirmed by the Office of the Project with an e-mail message.

The following criteria will be taken into account, the maximum scores that may be earned for meeting each criterion being given in the right-hand column of the table:

Criteria Max scores
Research output of the candidate (publications, scientific awards etc.) and its relevance for the research project to be undertaken by the candidate 30
Quality of the transcript (academic record) and the final score on the diploma 30
Experience in research work (former positions at universities and other research institutions, scientific scholarships, participation in scientific projects/grants, etc.) 20
Internships abroad, experience in international scientific cooperation etc. 15
Participation in scientific conferences, workshops, summer schools etc. 5

Second stage is described here.

Application Deadline : 31 December 2010

Homepage: http://mpd.ibspan.waw.pl/index.php

PhD position Newcastle Business School Studentships

Newcastle Business School is pleased to offer the following research studentship opportunity:


Dietary change – The role of meat free choice(s) in addressing food security, consumer behaviour, marketing barriers and enablers. (Our Ref: RS10-NBS01)

Food 2030, the UK Government’s strategic response to developing a sustainable food supply chain, suggests a need to reduce our consumption of meat and its impact on our health and the environment. To date, accounting for the environmental impact of foodstuffs has primarily seen the advancement and streamlining of supply-side life-cycle analysis techniques to measure embedded carbon emissions of products. A notable outcome of much of this research in the food industry has been the realisation that meat products are significantly carbon-inefficient when compared to, for example, grain or vegetable products (e.g. Williams et al., 2006). However, in addition to this, ‘meat alternative’ products may also be associated with other win-win opportunities across the health and sustainability agenda, such as lower fat content, reduced salt, reduced water use or a smaller land use footprint.

Such findings have led to recommendations for reductions in the meat content of diets (e.g. IPCC, 2008). Although wholesale changes in consumer diets or consumption habits is an unlikely achievable goal in the short term, it is possible that improving demand for meat-substituting products could provide a means for better achievement of sustainability and quality of life targets. Despite growing media coverage of these issues consumer uptake of meat free choices within the UK remains limited. There is a clear need to understand the consumer within this emerging debate and the issues that drive market demand and /or create disengagement.

This research, co-sponsored by Premier Foods Ltd., seeks to investigate the factors that influence market demand for meat substitutes and meat free products. Segments of consumers that share common behavioural characteristics will be identified to provide a better understanding individual consumer preferences. Specific research questions that may be addressed in the project include:

• What understanding do UK consumers have of current and emerging the issues of food security – what’s hot and what’s not?
• What are the barriers and enabling factors that influence behavioural change in the meat free sector?
• How can consumers be segmented in terms of both attitude and behaviour?
• What voluntary, policy, and other alternative mechanisms could be developed or structured to influence behavioural change in this sector.

The outcomes will be linked with those from other similar on-going projects being undertaken by the co-sponsor including work at Imperial College and Liverpool University that are examining the impact of dietary change on health and environment.

Full project description

You should apply using the School's Application Form available at:

http://www.newcastlebusinessschool.co.uk/apply-now.aspx

Applications should be submitted to: nb-nbs-research-admin@northumbria.ac.uk

The Hitachi Scholarship Foundation offers postgraduate scholarship awards to faculty members of the universities in Southeast Asian countries

Master of Development Evaluation and Management: VLIR-UOS Scholarships, Belgium

Overview

“What are the major pitfalls for public and private actors who promote local participatory development activities?”

“Which aid policies, modalities and instruments are most effective?”


“What are the characteristics of the main actors, such as government, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral donors?”

This Master’s offers insight into the nature of development evaluation, as well as its relevance and challenges, at both a methodological and an institutional level. Students are familiarised with multidisciplinary analytical tools that will improve their capacity to understand interactions at the interface, and to contribute to an enhanced conceptualisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development policies and programmes.

The programme offers two tracks with specific objectives and courses:

Track 1: Macro Dimensions of Aid. Track 2: Development Interventions and Local Institutional Change.

The Master’s in Development Evaluation and Management focuses on the efforts made by a wide range of public and private actors to promote development in low-income countries. It provides a solid understanding of past and present aid policies of multilateral and bilateral donors, and of the major aid modalities and instruments deployed. The institutional characteristics of the actors involved – be they governments, community-based organisations, international NGOs, bilateral or multilateral donors – are analysed so as to attain a better understanding of processes and outcomes. The theoretical perspective is that development can be understood as a set of interlocking collective action problems, on both the recipient and the donor side. The Master’s programme offers methodological and practical insights into development evaluation, its relevance and challenges.

Most of our students are engaged in development, professionally and/or as researchers. The Master’s will improve their capacity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the prevailing aid paradigms and the changing approaches to aid. Students learn to appreciate the importance of different institutional arenas, and how they work and interact. They are familiarised with multidisciplinary analytical tools that will improve their capacity to analyse the interactions and contribute to an enhanced conceptualisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development policies and programmes.

Track 2: Development interventions and local institutional change

This track conceptualises socio-political and economic development as the outcome of interactions between a conditioning institutional environment and the agency of local, national and international actors, including multi- and bilateral, governmental and non-governmental aid actors. Special attention is paid to the importance of micro-level institutions and processes, and how these condition the effectiveness of development efforts in improving livelihoods and neutralising processes of social exclusion. As all phases of the project cycle partly unfold in a local context, the powers constituting this context co-organise the processes of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions. Exploring in detail how local context transforms development interventions is of crucial importance, then, to recognising opportunities for resolving the poverty conundrum.

This track is intended for participants with work experience in civil society in the South (e.g. at research institutes or universities, or with local NGOs or entrepreneurial associations), donor agencies (including international NGOs, bilateral and multilateral donors) and government institutions. The candidate should be involved in development interventions or poverty-reduction initiatives in micro or meso-level projects and programmes. Professionally, the candidate should hold middle-management positions involving policy responsibilities and/or managerial responsibilities at the interface between different policy levels (local to national, national to international) or between different arenas (e.g. civil society- government, government-donors, INGO-national NGO, etc).

The Master’s programme offers two tracks with specific objectives and course packages that are intended for different audiences. The first track is primarily macro focused, while the second focuses mainly on the micro level.

Admission requirements

The following candidates are eligible to apply for the Master’s programmes:

• Applicants from the South must hold a university degree (Bachelor or Master) of at least four years of study in Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, or related disciplines). Applicants from the South who hold a Bachelor’s degree of only three years of study must demonstrate very strong and relevant professional experience and/or have successfully completed additional training. Applicants from the North must hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences Only applicants with excellent academic records will be accepted.

• Our ideal participant has at least two years of professional experience in a sector relevant to the programme. Applicants from the North should have relevant field experience in the South.

• Applicants must be proficient in English. Those who have received a university education in English must provide an official certificate confirming this. Other applicants must submit one of the following test results:

o TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 550 for paper-based test or 79 for Internet-based test. Information about this test is available at www.toefl.org.

o IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.0. Information about this test is available at www.ielts.org.

o Special facilities are offered for students from other language backgrounds (in particular for French-speaking students). Students with paper-based TOEFL scores between 500 and 550 (or TOEFL Internet-based between 61 and 79) or IELTS scores between 5.0 and 6.0 may also be admitted provided they successfully complete a two-month intensive language course organised by the University of Antwerp before the start of the Master’s programme. For students selected for a VLIR-UOS scholarship, the cost of this language course is borne by the Institute (see below for details).


• Motivation and Matching: see description of student profile per Master and Trajectory.

Language: English

Number of VLIR-UOS Scholarships: 10

Further information

Contact:

Mrs. G. Annaert

Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB)

University of Antwerp

T +32 (0)3 265 57 70


F +32 (0)3 265 57 71

dev@ua.ac.be

http://www.ua.ac.be/iob/education

Leaflet Scholarships VLIR-UOS http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/downloads/Leaflet%20Scholarships%20VLIR-UOS%20-%20intake%202011.pdf

The Hitachi Scholarship Foundation offers postgraduate scholarship

“What are the major pitfalls for public and private actors who promote local participatory development activities?”

“Which aid policies, modalities and instruments are most effective?”
“What are the characteristics of the main actors, such as government, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral donors?”

This Master’s offers insight into the nature of development evaluation, as well as its relevance and challenges, at both a methodological and an institutional level. Students are familiarised with multidisciplinary analytical tools that will improve their capacity to understand interactions at the interface, and to contribute to an enhanced conceptualisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development policies and programmes.

The programme offers two tracks with specific objectives and courses:

Track 1: Macro Dimensions of Aid. Track 2: Development Interventions and Local Institutional Change.

The Master’s in Development Evaluation and Management focuses on the efforts made by a wide range of public and private actors to promote development in low-income countries. It provides a solid understanding of past and present aid policies of multilateral and bilateral donors, and of the major aid modalities and instruments deployed. The institutional characteristics of the actors involved – be they governments, community-based organisations, international NGOs, bilateral or multilateral donors – are analysed so as to attain a better understanding of processes and outcomes. The theoretical perspective is that development can be understood as a set of interlocking collective action problems, on both the recipient and the donor side. The Master’s programme offers methodological and practical insights into development evaluation, its relevance and challenges.
Most of our students are engaged in development, professionally and/or as researchers. The Master’s will improve their capacity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the prevailing aid paradigms and the changing approaches to aid. Students learn to appreciate the importance of different institutional arenas, and how they work and interact. They are familiarised with multidisciplinary analytical tools that will improve their capacity to analyse the interactions and contribute to an enhanced conceptualisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development policies and programmes.

Track 2: Development interventions and local institutional change

This track conceptualises socio-political and economic development as the outcome of interactions between a conditioning institutional environment and the agency of local, national and international actors, including multi- and bilateral, governmental and non-governmental aid actors. Special attention is paid to the importance of micro-level institutions and processes, and how these condition the effectiveness of development efforts in improving livelihoods and neutralising processes of social exclusion. As all phases of the project cycle partly unfold in a local context, the powers constituting this context co-organise the processes of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions. Exploring in detail how local context transforms development interventions is of crucial importance, then, to recognising opportunities for resolving the poverty conundrum.

This track is intended for participants with work experience in civil society in the South (e.g. at research institutes or universities, or with local NGOs or entrepreneurial associations), donor agencies (including international NGOs, bilateral and multilateral donors) and government institutions. The candidate should be involved in development interventions or poverty-reduction initiatives in micro or meso-level projects and programmes. Professionally, the candidate should hold middle-management positions involving policy responsibilities and/or managerial responsibilities at the interface between different policy levels (local to national, national to international) or between different arenas (e.g. civil society- government, government-donors, INGO-national NGO, etc).

The Master’s programme offers two tracks with specific objectives and course packages that are intended for different audiences. The first track is primarily macro focused, while the second focuses mainly on the micro level.


Admission requirements

The following candidates are eligible to apply for the Master’s programmes:

• Applicants from the South must hold a university degree (Bachelor or Master) of at least four years of study in Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, or related disciplines). Applicants from the South who hold a Bachelor’s degree of only three years of study must demonstrate very strong and relevant professional experience and/or have successfully completed additional training. Applicants from the North must hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences Only applicants with excellent academic records will be accepted.
• Our ideal participant has at least two years of professional experience in a sector relevant to the programme. Applicants from the North should have relevant field experience in the South.
• Applicants must be proficient in English. Those who have received a university education in English must provide an official certificate confirming this. Other applicants must submit one of the following test results:
o TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 550 for paper-based test or 79 for Internet-based test. Information about this test is available at www.toefl.org.
o IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.0. Information about this test is available at www.ielts.org.
o Special facilities are offered for students from other language backgrounds (in particular for French-speaking students). Students with paper-based TOEFL scores between 500 and 550 (or TOEFL Internet-based between 61 and 79) or IELTS scores between 5.0 and 6.0 may also be admitted provided they successfully complete a two-month intensive language course organised by the University of Antwerp before the start of the Master’s programme. For students selected for a VLIR-UOS scholarship, the cost of this language course is borne by the Institute (see below for details).
• Motivation and Matching: see description of student profile per Master and Trajectory.

Language: English
Number of VLIR-UOS Scholarships: 10

Further information

Contact:
Mrs. G. Annaert
Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB)
University of Antwerp
T +32 (0)3 265 57 70
F +32 (0)3 265 57 71
dev@ua.ac.be
http://www.ua.ac.be/iob/education
Leaflet Scholarships VLIR-UOS http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/downloads/Leaflet%20Scholarships%20VLIR-UOS%20-%20intake%202011.pdf

Hitachi Scholarship Award are expected to devote themselve

Master of Governance and Development: VLIR-UOS Scholarships, Belgium

“Is better governance critical for the future of inclusive and sustainable development?”

“What do conflict, governance and development have in common?”


“Which potential solutions for good governance present themselves on the local and the global level?”

This programme explores insights, tools and best practices for good governance in order that graduates could apply them in their future professional contexts. Graduates shall understand and be able to analyse, from the local to the global level, the governance problems which confront developing countries today.

The governance programme offers two tracks with specific objectives and courses:

Track 1: Governance and Conflict.

Track 2: Local Governance and Poverty Reduction Contact: Greet Annaert Institute of Development Policy and Management

The future of sustainable development is critically related to the promotion of better governance at the local, national, regional and international level. At once a cause and a consequence of governance failures, violent conflict is incompatible with sustainable development. Central in this nexus between development, governance and conflict are processes of state formation, state failure and state reconstruction. Adopting a political economy perspective, the study programme analyses governance problems and possible responses with due account of specific historical pathways of countries and the interaction between the national state level, local society level dynamics and the impact of global developments.

Most of our students are engaged in development, professionally and/or as researchers. The objective of the Master’s programme is to provide them with multidisciplinary theoretical insights and practical tools that will improve their capacity to analyse governance challenges at different levels and how they relate to processes of violent conflict and development. Graduates will understand and be able to analyse, from the local to the global level, the governance problems confronting developing countries today. Theoretical insights, policy strategies and best practices as well as failures are explored in order that graduates could apply this knowledge in their future professional environments.

The Master’s programme in Governance and Development offers two tracks with specific objectives, courses and target audiences. The first track explores governance and development issues against the background of violent conflict and the challenge of post-conflict state reconstruction. The second addresses governance and development challenges from the particular perspective of local institutions and poverty reduction.

Admission requirements

The following candidates are eligible to apply for the Master’s programmes:

• Applicants from the South must hold a university degree (Bachelor or Master) of at least four years of study in Social Sciences (Economics, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, or related disciplines). Applicants from the South who hold a Bachelor’s degree of only three years of study must demonstrate very strong and relevant professional experience and/or have successfully completed additional training. Applicants from the North must hold a Master’s degree in Social Sciences Only applicants with excellent academic records will be accepted.

• Our ideal participant has at least two years of professional experience in a sector relevant to the programme. Applicants from the North should have relevant field experience in the South.

• Applicants must be proficient in English. Those who have received a university education in English must provide an official certificate confirming this. Other applicants must submit one of the following test results:

o TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 550 for paper-based test or 79 for Internet-based test. Information about this test is available at www.toefl.org.

o IELTS (International English Language Testing System): minimum score of 6.0. Information about this test is available at www.ielts.org.

o Special facilities are offered for students from other language backgrounds (in particular for French-speaking students). Students with paper-based TOEFL scores between 500 and 550 (or TOEFL Internet-based between 61 and 79) or IELTS scores between 5.0 and 6.0 may also be admitted provided they successfully complete a two-month intensive language course organised by the University of Antwerp before the start of the Master’s programme. For students selected for a VLIR-UOS scholarship, the cost of this language course is borne by the Institute (see below for details).

• Motivation and Matching: see description of student profile per Master and Trajectory.

Target country

Only residents and nationals of the following countries are eligible for a VLIR-UOS scholarship:

Africa

Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Asia

Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Palestinian Administered Areas, Philippines, Vietnam

Latin America

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, Surinam

Contact:

Mrs. G. Annaert


Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB)

University of Antwerp

T +32 (0)3 265 57 70

F +32 (0)3 265 57 71

dev@ua.ac.be

http://www.ua.ac.be/iob/education

Leaflet Scholarships VLIR-UOS

http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/downloads/Leaflet%20Scholarships%20VLIR-UOS%20-%20intake%202011.pdf

The Hitachi Scholarship Foundation offers postgraduate scholarship

VLIR-UOS Masters Degree Scholarships for Developing Countries, Belgium

VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from developing countries so that they can follow a master or training programme in Belgium. These scholarships cover all related expenses. Every year, VLIR-UOS awards up to 180 scholarships to first-year master students and 70 scholarships to training participants. All programmes are specifically designed for people in positions of responsibility in civil society (e.g. universities, schools, NGOs, local communities, governments).

VLIR-UOS funds and facilitates academic cooperation and exchange between higher education institutions in Flanders (Belgium) and those in developing countries, which aims at building capacity, knowledge and experience for a sustainable development. As part of the Flemish Interuniversity Council, VLIR-UOS is responsible for managing and dispersing the university development cooperation funds of Belgium’s Minister of Development Cooperation.

Academic universities in Belgium:

Universiteit Antwerpen

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

Universiteit Gent

Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Universiteit Hasselt (tUL inclusief)

International Training Programmes 2011

• AudioVisual Learning Materials – Management, Production and Activities (AVLM)

• Beekeeping for Poverty Alleviation


• International Training Programme in Food Safety, Quality Assurance Systems and Risk Analysis

• Lib@Web – Management of Electronic Information and Digital Libraries

• Technology for Integrated Water Management

International Master Programmes 2011-2012

• Master of Development Evaluation and Management

• Master of Globalisation and Development

• Master of Governance and Development

• Master of Human Settlements

• International Master Programmes 2011-2013


• Master of Aquaculture

• Master of Biology – Specialisation Human Ecology

• Master of Biostatistics

• Master of Environmental Sanitation

• Master of Food Technology

• Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes)

• Master of Molecular Biology (IPMB)

• Master of Nematology


• Master of Nutrition and Rural Development,Main Subject: Human Nutrition

• Master of Physical Land Resources

• Master of Water Resources Engineering

Application and selection procedure

Applicants applying for both academic admission and a VLIR-UOS scholarship need to consider both the admission requirements and the scholarship criteria.

Applicants applying for academic admission but not for a scholarship simply need to fulfill only the admission requirements of the host university running the programme.

The host university is in charge of the academic admission of applications. Study results will be taken into consideration during the selection, but the most important academic selection criteria are relevant professional experience and prospects for applying the acquired insights after return to the developing country. The academic admission requirements are specific to every programme.

Posted in scholarization.blogspot.com

A joint selection committee of VLIR-UOS and the host university is responsible for selecting scholarships. The host university – not the applicant – forwards the scholarship applications to the VLIR-UOS secretariat if the academic admission requirements are met. The VLIR-UOS scholarship criteria relate to the qualifications required of all scholarship applicants and selection criteria evaluated by the selection committee.

Target Country

Only residents and nationals of the following countries are eligible for a VLIR-UOS scholarship:

Africa

Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Asia

Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Palestinian Administered Areas, Philippines, Vietnam

Latin America

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, Surinam

This is how you apply for the academic year 2011-2012

You can apply for a VLIR-UOS scholarship from the 1st of October 2010.

You must fill in the pre-screening form at the bottom of the page of the programme you want to follow. You may only choose one programme. If you apply to more than one programme your details will be entered more than once in our central database and all your applications will be inadmissible.

So you must follow the correct and complete procedure below.

1. Apply on the VLIR-UOS website via the pre-screening form: fill in name, birth date, country, etc…;

2. Receive a VLIR-UOS application/file number by return e-mail from VLIR-UOS;

3. Apply on the website from the host university through the link mentioned in the return e-mail from VLIR-UOS;

4. Write the received VLIR-UOS application/file number on the application file from the host university;

5. Send a printout of your application file along with all required documents (diploma transcripts, motivation, etc…) to the International Office of the host university, not to VLIR-UOS.

Applications that are incomplete, illegible or that reach the host university’s International Office after the deadline will be automatically rejected.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for a scholarship from VLIR-UOS for a master programme is the 1st of February 2011.

Leaflet Scholarships VLIR-UOS – intake 2011.pdf

http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/downloads/Leaflet%20Scholarships%20VLIR-UOS%20-%20intake%202011.pdf

Poster Scholarships VLIR-UOS – intake 2011.pdf

http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/downloads/Poster%20Scholarships%20VLIR-UOS%20-%20intake%202011.pdf

Source: http://www.scholarships.vliruos.be/

The Hitachi Scholarship Foundation was established

PhD Scholarship in Neuroscience, The Innsbruck Medical University

The Innsbruck Medical University, located in Tyrol (Austria) seeks talented and committed young researchers for its PhD Program “Signal Processing in Neurons” (SPIN).

Positions are available for 3 years and include intensive training in translational research in neuroscience, lab rotations in the twelve participating laboratories, free access to core facilities, a SPIN-specific training and mentoring program, career development and funding for research. The program offers an highly interdisciplinary research environment including Clinical Neurobiology, Genomics and RNomics, Molecular and Cellular Neuropharmacology, Neuroanatomy, Neurobiochemistry, Immunology/Neuroimmunology, Molecular Neurobiology, Pharmacy and Neurophysiology.

Five positions are presently open with appointment beginning February/March 2011 in the areas: “Trafficking and function of metabotropic glutamate receptors at GABAergic synapses” (F. Ferraguti), “Regulation of nociceptors by matrix related molecules” (M. Kress), “Mechanisms of neuronal degeneration in multiple sclerosis” (M. Reindl), “Inter- and intracellular signal processing in pathways involved in acquisition, reorientation and extinction of addiction-associated behaviour” (A. Saria) and “Function of endogenous opioids in epilepsy and emotional control” (C. Schwarzer). However, students with interests in other topics covered by the program are also invited to apply.

Conditions of eligibility and selection process:

Master degree (or its equivalent) in the subjects mentioned above; good written and oral skills in English. Selection occurs on the basis of information submitted in the application, a web-based questionnaire and a personal on-site interview (scheduled for December 2010).

Salary: EUR 1.851,10 gross income per month, 25 vacation days, health insurance.

Comment/web site for additional job details

Application deadline: 24 Oct 2010. Applicants should send a CV, a detailed statement of research interests, certificates of the master degree and two letters of recommendation, by email to:

Martina Antretter

Program Coordinator

Institute for Neuroscience

Innsbruck Medical University

MZA, Anichstrasse 35

A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Email address: SPIN(at)i-med.ac.at

Source: http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index.cfm/jobs/jobDetails/33626091

Hitachi Scholarship FoLlndation offers postgraduate scholarship

Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Berge

At the Department of Mathematics there is a vacant position as postdoctoral fellow within the project “Modelling transport in porous media over multiple scales”.

The postdoctoral position is a fixed-term post, the chief objective being to qualify the selected candidate for work in senior positions in their disciplines. The term of employment for this position is 2 years.

It is not possible for any person to work under more than one temporary appointment as postdoctoral fellow for the same institution.

The project this position is a component of is funded by the Research Council of Norway and the University of Bergen under the Outstanding Young Investigator programme. The successful candidate will join a research team which aims at integrating the fields of upscaling, multi-scale methods and numerical linear algebra within the context of multi-phase flow in porous media. Applications of particular interest include oil and gas recovery as well as CO2 storage. The project will address both theoretical and practical issues, and the candidate will be expected to familiarize him/herself with a broad spectrum of knowledge to form an active part of the research team.

We are soliciting applications from candidates with a background in applied mathematics. Special qualifications which should be emphasized in the application are familiarity with numerical methods for partial differential equations, multi-grid pre-conditioners, multi-phase flow in porous media and programming.

Applicants must have achieved a Norwegian doctorate or equivalent, or have presented the dissertation for assessment by the closing date for applications. It is a prerequisite that the dissertation has been approved before appointment is granted.

For further information about the position please contact Associate Professor

Jan Martin Nordbotten, e-mail jan.nordbotten@math.uib.no

A project plan and a progress plan will be written with the project leader on appointment. It is a premise that the selected candidate will complete the project within the stipulated period of employment. The project proposal and progress plan shall (sic: form part of) be annexed to the employment contract, and shall include the name of the person who is to be the discipline advisor for the selected candidate.

Women in particular are invited to apply. If, in the opinion of the evaluation committee, several applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules on equal opportunities laid down in the Personnel Regulations for Academic Positions will be applied.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. We have therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and sex composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds. Persons of different ethnic background are therefore encouraged to apply for the position.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.The University of Bergen applies the principles of public openness when recruiting staff to scientific positions.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Benefits

Starting salary at grade 57 (code 1352/pay framework 24.1) in the Civil Service pay grade table; currently NOK 448,400 gross p.a.; following ordinary meriting regulations (wage range 57-64).

Application requirements

Send electronic application, CV, certificates, diplomas and names and e-mail addresses of two referees by clicking on the button marked “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” on this page.

Scientific work and a list of these (all in 3 copies/sorted in 3 identical bundles) should be sent to Department of Mathematics, the University of Bergen, PO Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway, marked 2009/7006.

Please do not send application by e-mail.

Closing date for application: 1 December 2010

University of Bergen

Department of Mathematics

PO Box 7803

5020 – Bergen

Hordaland – NORWAY

email: jan.nordbotten@math.uib.no

http://www.jobbnorge.no/job.aspx?jobid=69503

Hitachi Scholarship Foundation

The position is meant to conduct research on multi-level vehicle routing problems. The work, which involves the implementation and testing of heuristic optimization strategies, will be carried out in close collaboration with Kenneth Sörensen and Peter Goos. The candidate is expected to enroll the university’s Ph.D. program and to obtain a Ph.D. at theend of the project. A short project description can be found below.

Short project description

The main aim of this project is to develop efficient solution methods for several reallife multi-level vehicle routing problems. In multi-level vehicle routing problems, decisions are taken on different levels. For

example:

• In multi-depot vehicle routing problems, decisions need to be taken on which customer to service from which depot, besides the typical routing decisions (determining the sequence of the customers in the routes and the assignment of customers to vehicles).

• In school bus routing problems, decisions to be taken include the assignment of students to bus stops, the selection of bus stops to use, as well as the typical routing decisions.

• In location-routing problems, the algorithm decides the optimal location of distribution facilities, as well as the typical routing decisions.

A second research topic of this project is the search for the most appropriate type of solution method for multi-level routing problems: iterative or integrated. We will examine specifically whether integrated optimization yields better results than sequential or iterative optimization, and what the main influencing factors are for the differences in performance.

A third important research topic that we intend to study is the interaction between different neighborhoods that operate on different levels of a multi-level problem. This will lead to a better understanding of the working of these neighborhoods and their interaction, and make the design of more powerful metaheuristics possible.

Finally, as a fourth research topic we intend to study the integration of exact methods into the developed heuristics. More and more, the study of so-called matheuristics, heuristics integrating mathematical programming methods, are being viewed as an interesting research avenue. Progress in the development of general integer programming solvers (such ILOG’s Cplex) during the last decade has been impressive, and has become such that using these solvers for real-life (sub)problems has become an attractive option.

In fact, multi-level problems offer an interesting playground for this type of methods, as some of the sub-problems can potentially be solved using exact methods, whereas others can be solved using neighborhood search heuristics.

We offer a four-year position (with annual evaluation), a net monthly grant of about 1900 euro, and a stimulating working environment in a lively cosmopolitan city. For more information, please contact Kenneth Sörensen with email address: kenneth.sorensen@ua.ac.be