James Watt PhD Scholarships - Heriot-Watt University UK (31st March 2016)

PhD project vacancies

PhD projects and funding opportunities in School of Engineering & Physical Sciences:

• PhD projects in Institute of Chemical Sciences
• PhD projects in Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophyiscs and Bio-Engineering
• PhD projects in Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems
• PhD projects in Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering
• PhD projects in Institute of Photonic and Quantum Sciences

Applications for suitably qualified PhD students are accepted all year round.  A list of some recently advertised projects are listed below.  Please see more information about how to apply for a PhD.

We have world-leading expertise in Vision, Image and Signal Processing, Ocean Systems, Microengineering, Microwaves and Electrical Power and Drives. We also participate in severalresearch pooling initiatives.

Our team of world-leading scientists and engineers has expertise across a broad field of electrical engineering and access to state-of-art facilities, which can assist our industrial partners to resolve existing technical problems and secure leading position in future markets.

You may contact the named supervisor about a particular project opportunity. For more general enquiries, please contact Dr Changhai Wang or Karen Paterson in our postgraduate research office (pgr.eps@eps.hw.ac.uk).

James Watt Scholarships

As part of an ambitious expansion programme to intensify further our world-leading research programmes, Heriot-Watt University is offering a fourth round of James Watt Scholarships in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences.

The James Watt scholarships will provide full fees and stipend for 3 years from Autumn 2016.

James Watt Scholarship projects leading to a PhD in Electrical Engineering

JWS2016/13 Chlorophyll to grow metals onto non conductive surfaces

We are looking at a student with a material science or engineering background interested in using nature best light harvesting complexes to grow metals into non conductive surfaces. In collaboration with Loughborough University, the applications of your research will impact on 3D printing, electronics and prosthetics.

Supervisor: Prof. Marc Desmulliez, email: m.desmulliez@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/14 Radio frequency and antenna engineering for space applications

The Microwave and Antenna Engineering Group at Heriot-Watt is working closely with national and international agencies (ESA, NASA, RAL Space) as well as Europe’s leading enterprises to deliver R&D at the forefront of space technologies (see also http://home.eps.hw.ac.uk/~gg35/). Opportunities are available for collaborative PhD projects with aforementioned organisations across a range of topics that include; atmospheric propagation at Q-band, active and passive RF payload components, mm-wave electronics, antenna engineering as well as satellite communication system design.

Supervisor: Prof. George Goussetis, email: G.Goussetis@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/15 Transceiver Designs for Large Scale Antenna Systems at Millimeter-Wave Frequencies

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated student willing to work on a research project entitled “Large Scale Antenna Systems Made Practical: Advanced Signal Processing for Compact Deployments [LSAS-SP]” sponsored by UK research council, Bell-Labs, NJ, USA and QinetiQ, UK. See http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/M014126/1 for details. The PhD thesis will explore signal processing techniques for efficient analogue/digital beamforming, precoding and receiver designs for Large Scale Antenna Systems at mm-wave frequencies.

Supervisor: Dr Mathini Sellaturai, email: M.Sellathurai@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/16 Smart Interfaces for Converged Wireless and Optical Networks

For the end-to-end design and performance evaluation of converged wireless and optical networks, methods for seamless physical interconnection of a variety of technologies are indispensable. This project aims to design novel agile, programmable, and scalable interfaces interconnecting different wireless and optical technologies at the transport layer.

Supervisor: Dr Cheng-Xiang Wang, email: Cheng-Xiang.Wang@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/17 Analysis of Raman spectra using hyperspectral imaging methods

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for light/matter interaction analysis which can be used in chemistry to detect, identify and quantify specific molecules. Although produced by different acquisition systems, Raman spectra and reflectance spectra recorded by passive hyperspectral sensors for remote sensing applications (e.g., earth and space observation) present many similarities. The aim of this project is to develop new computational tools for Raman spectroscopy, inspired by models and methods dedicated to hyperspectral image analysis (e.g., classification, source separation, non-stationary processes).

Supervisor: Prof Stephen McLaughlin, email: s.mclaughlin@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/18 RF signal processing for the networked battlespace

In this project you will research new algorithms and sensors for RF signal detection in hostile environments from a network of mixed quality sensors. You will particularly focus on the signal processing algorithms to detect, identify and locate the source of various RF signals in difficult environments with high levels of background noise and strong fading channels.

Supervisors: Dr Mathini Sellaturai, email: M.Sellathurai@hw.ac.uk and Prof. George Goussetis, email: G.Goussetis@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/19 Compressive Sensing for Interferometry: new imaging techniques for transformational science

The transformational science envisaged for the next decades in astronomy requires that future telescopes, such as the flagship Square Kilometer Array (SKA), achieve unprecedented dynamic ranges and angular resolutions on wide frequency bands. In this context, interferometric imaging techniques literally and urgently need to be re-invented. The project will leverage the theory of compressive sampling to help defining new sensing and reconstruction approaches for ultra-high resolution wide-band imaging. Fast reconstruction algorithms capable of handling Big Data will be studied and adapted to multi-core computing architectures.

Supervisor: Dr Yves Wiaux, email: y.wiaux@hw.ac.uk

How to apply for James Watt Scholarship

For more information about how to apply, please see the full list of James Watt Scholarship projects.

Development, evaluation and comparison of algorithms for LiDAR and Radar automotive sensing in bad weather.

Professors Andrew Wallace and Gerald Buller

Applications accepted all year round

Funded PhD Project

Project Description

Optical sensors perform poorly in fog, rain and snow, but new developments in, for example, full waveform processing of LiDAR developed at HWU may extend the instrumental capability in poor weather. Similarly, 3D mapping (stereo, optical flow) and scene interpretation from video data is adversely affected when the target signature and any subsequent feature vector is degraded. Radar and THz imaging perform well in adverse conditions, but have lower frame rates and poorer resolution.

This is an opportunity for a new PhD student to join a newly formed collaborative project between the Universities of Heriot-Watt, Birmingham and Edinburgh, and Jaguar Land Rover to develop, compare and contrast new approaches to 3D scene building and object (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, termed ‘actors’) identification in adverse weather, unlike the vast majority of current autonomous and assisted vehicle sensing projects that use benchmark data sets and scenarios in favourable conditions. The student will work with a fully equipped test vehicle or vehicles, with video, LiDAR and low THZ Radar sensors, as well as the usual GPS and road mapping data.

We will consider students with a good undergraduate or postgraduate background in Electrical or Software Engineering, or Physics, although an ability to develop, implement and evaluate algorithms and conduct experiments is essential.

Heriot-Watt’s Institutes of Signals, Sensors and Systems, and Photonics and Quantum Sciences offer a thriving environment for PhD research, with over 100 active academics and researchers in each institute. Heriot-Watt is based in a modern environment on the outskirts of Edinburgh, with excellent transport links to the centre of one of Europe’s most exciting cities. For further information about our many and varied research programmes please refer to http://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/engineering-physical-sciences/.

Funding Notes

All tuition fees are paid and we offer an enhanced stipend for 3.5 years.

References and Application

Please supply academic transcripts and 2 reference letters or 2 reference contact names. If applying for this position online, please ensure that you provide a reference to this position.

Further Information

For further information about the JLR/EPSRC initiative and the project portfolio, see

https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/news/jlrannouncesautonomousvehicalresearchprogramme/.

For informal enquires about the position, please contact a.m.wallace@hw.ac.uk in the first instance.

For more Scholarships Visit: 
Xplore Scholarships Group

James Watt PhD Scholarships - Heriot-Watt University UK (31st March 2016)

PhD project vacancies

PhD projects and funding opportunities in School of Engineering & Physical Sciences:

• PhD projects in Institute of Chemical Sciences
• PhD projects in Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophyiscs and Bio-Engineering
• PhD projects in Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems
• PhD projects in Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering
• PhD projects in Institute of Photonic and Quantum Sciences

Applications for suitably qualified PhD students are accepted all year round.  A list of some recently advertised projects are listed below.  Please see more information about how to apply for a PhD.

We have world-leading expertise in Vision, Image and Signal Processing, Ocean Systems, Microengineering, Microwaves and Electrical Power and Drives. We also participate in severalresearch pooling initiatives.

Our team of world-leading scientists and engineers has expertise across a broad field of electrical engineering and access to state-of-art facilities, which can assist our industrial partners to resolve existing technical problems and secure leading position in future markets.

You may contact the named supervisor about a particular project opportunity. For more general enquiries, please contact Dr Changhai Wang or Karen Paterson in our postgraduate research office (pgr.eps@eps.hw.ac.uk).

James Watt Scholarships

As part of an ambitious expansion programme to intensify further our world-leading research programmes, Heriot-Watt University is offering a fourth round of James Watt Scholarships in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences.

The James Watt scholarships will provide full fees and stipend for 3 years from Autumn 2016.

James Watt Scholarship projects leading to a PhD in Electrical Engineering

JWS2016/13 Chlorophyll to grow metals onto non conductive surfaces

We are looking at a student with a material science or engineering background interested in using nature best light harvesting complexes to grow metals into non conductive surfaces. In collaboration with Loughborough University, the applications of your research will impact on 3D printing, electronics and prosthetics.

Supervisor: Prof. Marc Desmulliez, email: m.desmulliez@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/14 Radio frequency and antenna engineering for space applications

The Microwave and Antenna Engineering Group at Heriot-Watt is working closely with national and international agencies (ESA, NASA, RAL Space) as well as Europe’s leading enterprises to deliver R&D at the forefront of space technologies (see also http://home.eps.hw.ac.uk/~gg35/). Opportunities are available for collaborative PhD projects with aforementioned organisations across a range of topics that include; atmospheric propagation at Q-band, active and passive RF payload components, mm-wave electronics, antenna engineering as well as satellite communication system design.

Supervisor: Prof. George Goussetis, email: G.Goussetis@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/15 Transceiver Designs for Large Scale Antenna Systems at Millimeter-Wave Frequencies

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated student willing to work on a research project entitled “Large Scale Antenna Systems Made Practical: Advanced Signal Processing for Compact Deployments [LSAS-SP]” sponsored by UK research council, Bell-Labs, NJ, USA and QinetiQ, UK. See http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/M014126/1 for details. The PhD thesis will explore signal processing techniques for efficient analogue/digital beamforming, precoding and receiver designs for Large Scale Antenna Systems at mm-wave frequencies.

Supervisor: Dr Mathini Sellaturai, email: M.Sellathurai@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/16 Smart Interfaces for Converged Wireless and Optical Networks

For the end-to-end design and performance evaluation of converged wireless and optical networks, methods for seamless physical interconnection of a variety of technologies are indispensable. This project aims to design novel agile, programmable, and scalable interfaces interconnecting different wireless and optical technologies at the transport layer.

Supervisor: Dr Cheng-Xiang Wang, email: Cheng-Xiang.Wang@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/17 Analysis of Raman spectra using hyperspectral imaging methods

Raman spectroscopy is a powerful technique for light/matter interaction analysis which can be used in chemistry to detect, identify and quantify specific molecules. Although produced by different acquisition systems, Raman spectra and reflectance spectra recorded by passive hyperspectral sensors for remote sensing applications (e.g., earth and space observation) present many similarities. The aim of this project is to develop new computational tools for Raman spectroscopy, inspired by models and methods dedicated to hyperspectral image analysis (e.g., classification, source separation, non-stationary processes).

Supervisor: Prof Stephen McLaughlin, email: s.mclaughlin@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/18 RF signal processing for the networked battlespace

In this project you will research new algorithms and sensors for RF signal detection in hostile environments from a network of mixed quality sensors. You will particularly focus on the signal processing algorithms to detect, identify and locate the source of various RF signals in difficult environments with high levels of background noise and strong fading channels.

Supervisors: Dr Mathini Sellaturai, email: M.Sellathurai@hw.ac.uk and Prof. George Goussetis, email: G.Goussetis@hw.ac.uk

JWS2016/19 Compressive Sensing for Interferometry: new imaging techniques for transformational science

The transformational science envisaged for the next decades in astronomy requires that future telescopes, such as the flagship Square Kilometer Array (SKA), achieve unprecedented dynamic ranges and angular resolutions on wide frequency bands. In this context, interferometric imaging techniques literally and urgently need to be re-invented. The project will leverage the theory of compressive sampling to help defining new sensing and reconstruction approaches for ultra-high resolution wide-band imaging. Fast reconstruction algorithms capable of handling Big Data will be studied and adapted to multi-core computing architectures.

Supervisor: Dr Yves Wiaux, email: y.wiaux@hw.ac.uk

How to apply for James Watt Scholarship

For more information about how to apply, please see the full list of James Watt Scholarship projects.

Development, evaluation and comparison of algorithms for LiDAR and Radar automotive sensing in bad weather.

Professors Andrew Wallace and Gerald Buller

Applications accepted all year round

Funded PhD Project

Project Description

Optical sensors perform poorly in fog, rain and snow, but new developments in, for example, full waveform processing of LiDAR developed at HWU may extend the instrumental capability in poor weather. Similarly, 3D mapping (stereo, optical flow) and scene interpretation from video data is adversely affected when the target signature and any subsequent feature vector is degraded. Radar and THz imaging perform well in adverse conditions, but have lower frame rates and poorer resolution.

This is an opportunity for a new PhD student to join a newly formed collaborative project between the Universities of Heriot-Watt, Birmingham and Edinburgh, and Jaguar Land Rover to develop, compare and contrast new approaches to 3D scene building and object (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, termed ‘actors’) identification in adverse weather, unlike the vast majority of current autonomous and assisted vehicle sensing projects that use benchmark data sets and scenarios in favourable conditions. The student will work with a fully equipped test vehicle or vehicles, with video, LiDAR and low THZ Radar sensors, as well as the usual GPS and road mapping data.

We will consider students with a good undergraduate or postgraduate background in Electrical or Software Engineering, or Physics, although an ability to develop, implement and evaluate algorithms and conduct experiments is essential.

Heriot-Watt’s Institutes of Signals, Sensors and Systems, and Photonics and Quantum Sciences offer a thriving environment for PhD research, with over 100 active academics and researchers in each institute. Heriot-Watt is based in a modern environment on the outskirts of Edinburgh, with excellent transport links to the centre of one of Europe’s most exciting cities. For further information about our many and varied research programmes please refer to http://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/engineering-physical-sciences/.

Funding Notes

All tuition fees are paid and we offer an enhanced stipend for 3.5 years.

References and Application

Please supply academic transcripts and 2 reference letters or 2 reference contact names. If applying for this position online, please ensure that you provide a reference to this position.

Further Information

For further information about the JLR/EPSRC initiative and the project portfolio, see

https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/newsevents/news/jlrannouncesautonomousvehicalresearchprogramme/.

For informal enquires about the position, please contact a.m.wallace@hw.ac.uk in the first instance.

For more Scholarships Visit: 
Xplore Scholarships Group

PhD stipend in Global Refugee Studies at Aalborg University, Copenhagen Campus (Denmark)

At the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Culture and Global Studies a PhD scholarship in Global Refugee Studies at the Copenhagen Campus is open for appointment on 15 April 2016 or as soon as possible.

Job description

 The primary tasks in the position are research and teaching within Global Refugee Studies. In terms of research the successful applicant will be part of the research unit at Global Refugee Studies with an analytical focus on the relationship between conflict, forced displacement and forced stuckness (i.e. the inability to leave). To complement existing competencies in the unit, applicants with specialization within the study of internally displaced people and forced displacement, especially with a geographical focus on Latin America and Asia, will be prioritized.

 In terms of teaching the position is attached to the master specialization program in Global Refugee Studies at the Department of Culture and Global Studies at the Copenhagen Campus. Although this position requires a level of professional competence in Global Refugee Studies, it is also expected that the applicant is able to conduct teaching in at least two of the subsequent disciplines: cultural studies, international relations, international political economy and development studies. The position may also include teaching and supervision obligations in other programs under the School of Culture and Global Studies.

The Faculty of Social Sciences wishes to ensure that PhD scholarships provide career opportunities both within and outside of the university. For that reason, PhD scholarships are formed in a manner ensuring that the competencies achieved in the position qualifies to both a career within research and a career in the private and/or public sector.

Qualification requirements

The PhD scholarship has a duration of three years. Applicants to the PhD scholarship must hold a degree equivalent to a Danish Master’s degree. Applicants enrolled at a Danish Master programme who expect to graduate before the date of appointment must forward a copy of their thesis contract and documentation for the date of their final exam.

The completion of the scholarship will be in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities No 1039 of 27 August 2013 (only available in Danish), and it is a prerequisite for allocation of a scholarship that enrolment as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Social Sciences takes place.

It will be considered an advantage, but not a prerequisite, that applicants have experiences with problem based learning, which is Aalborg University’s pedagogical model. Applicants who are qualified to teach within other areas of the programmes mentioned should state this in their application.

Research and teaching (lecture and supervision) activities within Global Refugee Studies are conducted in English, and therefore applicants must submit evidence of their English capacity at a professional level.

In terms of personal qualities, the PhD candidate is expected to have strong interpersonal skills, and to be able to establish and maintain good relations with researchers and students with different cultural and political backgrounds.

The new employee will be attached to the research group on Global Refugee Studies and if he/she chooses one additional research group of his/her own choice.

Daily attendance at the department of Culture and Global Studies at the Copenhagen Campus is required. In addition, the new employee must be prepared to participate actively in all aspects of the day-to-day activities in the department and in the study programme. For information about the research profile of the department etc., please consult the department’s homepage at:www.cgs.aau.dk.

Application requirements

·         letter of motivation

·         project proposal (approx. 5 pages) containing the research project title, an outline of the course of study and a description of the overall problem areas

·         information on which language the PhD thesis is expected to be written in

·         curriculum vitae

·         diplomas confirming academic degrees (Master degree), including academic transcripts

·         foreign applicants must forward verified IELTS test (International English Language Testing System). Exempted are applicants with at Master Degree from Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and Canada

·         Co-author statement. If publications that have been written in cooperation with others are submitted, a declaration from each of the authors must be enclosed. The declaration must state the extent of the applicant’s contribution to the total work and be signed by the authors.

·         Application for credit transfer if relevant.

The complete application including attachments shall be sent electronically by selecting the "apply online" function.

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be undertaken by an expert assessment committee.

Contact

You may obtain further information regarding the academic contents of the position from Professor (MSO), Steffen Jensen, email: sje@cgs.aau.dk.

If you have questions regarding the procedure of applying for the position, please contactalb@adm.aau.dk

Agreement

Appointment and salary in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities No 242 of 13 March 2012 and The Ministry of Higher Education and Science Circular concerning the job structure for academic staff at universities of 19 August 2015. Salary will be in accordance with the agreements in force.

Vacancy number

2016-224-01022

For online apply Visit: 

https://ssl1.peoplexs.com/Peoplexs22/CandidatesPortalNoLogin/ApplicationForm.cfm?VacatureID=798728&PortalID=1967

Deadline

25/02/2016

For more Scholarships Visit: 

1. Xplore Scholarships Group

Apply online

Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS) Program for Master’s Students, 2017/2018

Application period now open for the 2017-2018 academic year! Click herefor details. 

The Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS), a Dual Degree Master of Arts Programme, is a shared initiative of The Nippon Foundation, the UN Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE), and Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU). The objective of the programme is to train young Asian professionals to become peace building practitioners, ready to take up leading positions in organisations across the globe. In particular, the programme serves to strengthen the representation of Asian professionals with expertise in Asian issues.

The programme offers intensive, specialised language training to facilitate participation of professionals with lower levels of English proficiency, study in Costa Rica and the Philippines, as well as the hands-on design and implementation of an intensive field project in Asia.  Scholars obtain 2 MA degrees, one from the University for Peace (UPEACE) in an area related to peace building and the second from Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) in Political Science with major in Global Politics.

Scholarship Benefits

Students selected to participate in the APS programme receive a full scholarship that covers tuition, airfare, transit and some visa costs for all programme components, and a monthly stipend.  The programme facilititates up to 30 students per cohort.

Programme Overview

The APS takes the format of a dual-degree, 18.5 - 21.5 month (depending on entry English proficiency level) intensive academic study programme targeted for young professionals from Asia.  Academic study takes place in Costa Rica and The Philippines and is made up of the following elements: 1) an intensive language learning component, 2) MA at UPEACE, 3) MA at AdMU in Political Science, major in Global Politics, and 4) the implementation of a field project.   

Click here to see details about the Academic Content of APS.

Student Profile

Applications are accepted from students all over Asia, with preference given to students who:

1. Have at least 2 years work experience in a relevant field. Excellent candidates with less work experience are considered for participation on a case-by-case basis. Voluntary work, internships and student activities may be considered as work experience, if relevant for the programme.
2. Have Bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution.
3. Demonstrate a compelling desire to work on issues related to peace and conflict.
4. Demonstrate a commitment to learning in an international and multi-cultural environment.
5. Are from countries where English is not widely spoken, particularly, but not limited to, Japan, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Career Prospects

APS graduates have found meanginful employment all around the world. 

Example Positions:

• Conflict Sensitivity Specialist, UNDP, Kyrgyzstan
• Gender Consultant, Office of the Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process, Philippines
• Education Officer, UNICEF, Uganda
• Human Resource Coordinator, IOM, Vietnam
• Programme Coordinator, Save the Children, Japan
• Procurement Officer, UN World Food Programme, Italy
• Economic Development Researcher, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lebanon
• Project Manager, Global Environmental Organization, China
• Project Officer, Vansemberuu Health Project, Mongolia
• Partnership Assistant, Asian Development Bank, Philippines
• Research Consultant, Family Health International, Thailand

For more Scholarships visit:

• Xplore Scholarships Group