Get Scholarship - Beasiswa

Netherlands - University of Twente PhD and Postdoc Position for Photoacoustic Breast Imaging

PhD student and Post-doc for Photoacoustic Breast Imaging

At the University of Twente, The Netherlands, we are developing photoacoustic imaging to address the limitations of the current technologies for breast cancer imaging. At this moment in our advanced research program within the Biophysical Engineering Group (BPE) with strong collaborations with the clinic, we are poised to make a major impact on the breast imaging paradigm.

We have two vacancies in the team that will develop a new instrument which enables full breast imaging on patients. The goal of this instrument is to detect and/or diagnose breast cancer with high resolution, sensitivity and reliability. This technology will be demonstrated in a study of up to 60 abnormalities (invasive ductal carcinomas and a sub-set of benign tumours) in patients.

The vacancies are for 1 PhD student and 1 Post-doctoral researcher. The successful candidates in collaboration with a technician and Masters students, will design and develop the Photoacoustic Mammoscope (PAM-II) and participate in its validation on patient trials. This will involve researching ultrasound detector elements from collaborators and selecting the most suitable material and architecture for a detector array. Further, design and development of a patient-instrument interface will be undertaken including an appropriate light delivery system. New image reconstruction algorithms that incorporate corrections for acoustic heterogeneities and that allow quantitation of optical absorption coefficient will be implemented. Comprehensive testing of hardware and image reconstruction algorithms will be done on phantoms. The instrument will at a certain point be installed in the Breast Care facility of a hospital where the clinical trials will take place.

Continue Reading November 18th, 2008

Netherlands - Vrije University Amsterdam PhD Position in History and Philosophy of Logic, Semantics and Axiomatics

PhD position in History and Philosophy of Logic, Semantics and Axiomatics f/m
For 1,0 fte

Vacancy number 1.2008.00340

The Faculty of Philosophy, VU University Amsterdam, has a vacancy for a PhD position in the research project Tarski’s Revolution: A New History – Semantics and Axiomatics from Bolzano to Tarski against the background of the Classical Model of Science (TRANH). The project is funded by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC) and led by Dr. Arianna Betti (Principal Investigator).

Research Project
Tarski’s work represents a crucial turn in the history of semantics and related fields. This research project aims to establish that the turn at issue must be interpreted in connection with the development of axiomatics from Bolzano to the Lvov-Warsaw School. In particular, the project proposes to interpret Tarski’s turn on the basis of a new framework, the Classical Model of Science, which systematises a general axiomatic ideal of scientific knowledge. The ideal goes back to Aristotle’s Analytica Posteriora and has been highly influential for more than two millennia.

More specifically, the project aims at answering the following research questions
I. in what sense is Bolzano a follower of the Classical Model of Science in his conception of science in general and of semantics in particular?;
II. what is the influence of Frege in the light of the Classical Model of Science upon the Lvov-Warsaw School, and in particular on Tarski’s teacher, Le?niewski?;
III. what is the relationship between Tarski’s work in semantics and the Classical Model of Science?
IV. in what way, and to what extent, can the Classical Model of Science be used in accounting for the development of semantics from Bolzano to Tarski?.

Continue Reading November 18th, 2008

Netherlands - Delft University of Technology PhD Research Assistantship in Potential of DSP for Digital Terrain Elevation Data

Ph.D. Research Assistantship to Explore the Potential of DSP for Digital Terrain Elevation Data at the Netherlands Defense Academy and Delft University of Technology

With today’s digital signal processing capabilities, it becomes possible to optimize the performance parameters of a navigation system for a particular set of intended applications. The Netherlands Defense Academy and the Delft University of Technology are providing an opportunity of a Ph.D. research assistantship to explore opportunities in the field of Terrain Reference Navigation (TRN) by using digital signal processing techniques that were originally developed for the acquisition and tracking of GPS signals. The goal of the research is to contribute to the creation of a design framework which can be used to match technology and processing concepts to a particular set of navigation system performance requirements. The focus lies on exploring the potential of various digital signal processing concepts for matching a set of distance measurements with a stored database of the environment.

The candidate should hold a Master’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics or any other relevant study with substantial knowledge on data processing. Research will be conducted both at the Netherlands Defense Academy and at Delft University of Technology. Leaders of the project are established researchers in the field of applied mathematics, geomatics and electronics. Contact Prof. P.J. Oonincx, Netherlands Defense Academy, at [pj.oonincx AT nlda.nl]. More information about the Netherlands Defense Academy can be found here.

October 8th, 2008

Netherlands - NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research PhD Studentship in Marine Ecology

The NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is an independent research institute associated with the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.

NIOZ was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest major oceanographic institutions in Europe. Its mission is to pursue curiosity-driven multidisciplinary marine research in coastal and shelf seas as well as in the open ocean through close co-operation between physicists, chemists, geologists and biologists.

Within the national NWO project “Changing carrying capacity in Dutch marine waters” (ZKO Monitoring), a 5-year research program on the “Structure and Functioning of the Wadden Sea fish assemblage” is funded in which the Department of Marine Ecology (MEE; Dr. ir. H.W. van der Veer) collaborates with the Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, Wageningen IMARES (Prof. dr. Adriaan D. Rijnsdorp).

Within this project we have a vacancy for a PhD student (m/f)

Project description
The project is build on a monitoring programme employing standardized sampling methods (bottom trawls) of the fish fauna in the western Wadden Sea covering both sub-tidal and inter-tidal habitats, whereby biological samples are collected to estimate present trophic relationships, food consumption, growth, mortality and for comparison with historical monitoring programmes (1960-ties and 1980-ties). Surveys will be combined with underwater audiovisual observations with the aim to apply landscape ecological methods and to arrive at predictive models for the presence, distribution and structure of fish communities. The PhD will function in a team and is expected to participate in data collection, data processing of past and newly acquired data, as well as to write scientific papers on the results of his/her work.

Continue Reading October 6th, 2008

Netherlands - Postdam Institute of Climate Impact Research PhD Position in Climate Change Adaptation in African Agriculture

Agricultural modelling for Africa
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

We are seeking to fill a PhD position to work on climate change adaptation in African agriculture. The goal is to apply an existing vegetation and hydrology model for assessing impacts of climate change on agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa (in cooperation with GTZ and international partners).

Specifically, the position involves further development of the vegetation/crop model LPJmL, including representation of crop water requirements and evaluation of yield estimates. The model will be used for analyzing future scenarios for Sub-Saharan Africa under diverse climatic, economic, water and land use change conditions, including extensive sensitivity studies. Experience with computer programming and handling of large datasets is a prerequisite for these studies; a background in (geo-) ecology, agronomy, plant physiology, hydrology or a related discipline is advantageous. Work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa would be an asset.

Continue Reading September 9th, 2008

Netherlands - Radboud University Nijmegen PhD Studentships in Emergence of Structures in Speech Signals

PhD student ‘Emergence of Structures in Speech Signals’ (1,0 fte)

Faculty of Arts
Vacancynumber: 23.31.08
Closing date: 14-09-2008

Job description
The NWO project A Computational Model of Language Acquisition aims to develop a computational model of language acquisition. The project team will comprise a postdoc and two PhD students. The PhD student will conduct computer simulations to investigate the emergence and development of neural representations of speech signals. In the first year the focus will be on representations of rhythm and intonation that a foetus is already able to form. The following years will be devoted to research addressing the segmentation of continuous speech signals into word-like units and the emergence of sub-word representations. In addition to designing and conducting the computer simulations, the PhD student is expected to have completed a PhD thesis on the topic by the end of the contract.

Requirements
The successful candidate has a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Psychology, Pattern Recognition, or Computer Science. She/he has excellent writing skills and is fluent in English.

Organization
The Faculty of Arts consists of eleven departments in the area of language and culture, history, history of arts, linguistics and business communication, which together cater for about 2,700 students and collaborate closely in teaching and research. The project will be carried out at the research institute Centre for Language Studies as part of the Linguistic Information Processing and Grammar and Cognition research programmes.
Website: www.ru.nl

Continue Reading September 5th, 2008

Netherlands - Delft University of Technology PhD Studentship in Heart 3D Project

PhD Student (m/f) ‘Heart in 3D’ Project
Delft, (Zuid-Holland), 38 hours per week Delft University of Technology

Job description
Cardiovascular diseases are increasingly diagnosed using multimodal imaging (combinations of MRI, CT and SPECT). One goal of the “Heart in 3D” project is to develop algorithms and software to connect three types of diagnostic information on heart function (the status of the coronary arteries, myocardial perfusion and ventricular function) from multimodality imaging studies. Novel algorithms and quantitative analysis tools will be developed to support diagnosis and disease staging in cardiovascular disease.

We are looking for a creative PhD student with a background in image processing or data fusion, to work on highly desired methods in radiological and cardiologic practice. The PhD student will investigate new methods for information fusion from multimodal imaging data. This will involve artificially intelligent approaches to image registration, interpretation and data fusion for diagnosing heart disease. The PhD student’s research priority will be: Modelling the diseased vessel wall of the coronary arteries.

Results will be presented in scientific papers and at international conferences, and the developed technologies will be tested together with clinical and industrial partners. You will work in a multidisciplinary team with clinical and technical researchers at Delft University of Technology and Erasmus Medical Centre, and collaborate with Leiden University Medical Centre.

Continue Reading September 1st, 2008

Netherlands - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam PhD Studentships in the Area of Fiber-Top Technology

Faculty of Exact Sciences
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The “IDEAS at the micron scale” group at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has two immediate openings for PhD students who are willing to work in the area of fiber-top technology (see http://www.nat.vu.nl/CondMat/iannuzzi/).

Candidates must have a Master degree in Physics or Engineering with some undergrad research experience preferably in one of the following areas: atomic force microscopy, laser ablation, optical fiber sensors, optical interferometry, MEMS technology, cantilever based instrumentation (e.g., biochemical sensors).

Continue Reading August 14th, 2008

Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Portugal - 13 PhD Positions in New EU Funded Marie Curie Initial Training Network

13 PhD positions in new EU funded Marie Curie Initial Training Network:
DESIRE – Creative Design for Innovation in Science and Technology

Coordinator: Lancaster University, UK

Partners: Eindhoven University of Technology in The Netherlands, Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, University of Milan in Italy, The Portuguese Catholic University in Portugal, University of Aveiro in Portugal, and Philips Research in The Netherlands.

Initial Deadline: 15 September 2008

DESIRE aims to make theoretical contributions to the field of creative design by bringing together expertise in human computer interaction, psychology, arts and design. The network aims to advance our understanding of creative design processes applied in the scientific and technological problem solving. This will lead to the elaboration of (i) theories and models of creative processes in general, and those involved in creative problem solving in particular, and (ii) a toolbox of methods, techniques and systems to support both creative design processes and creativity training.

The network places particular emphasis on the research training to be provided to successful candidates. Thus, each researcher will benefit from a rich training program that will take advantage of both local and network wide activities, as well as of conferences and summer schools.

Applications are invited for 13 studentships on creative design, 4 of which at Lancaster University, UK. The positions are funded by the EU for 36 months. The network requires expertise from various disciplines and the specific requirements as well as details about each individual projects can be found at: http://www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/~corina/DESIRE. Aligned with the specific requirements of each project, the applicants should have a good degree in Computer Science, Psychology, Design or Arts. They should also have the ability to work independently and as part of a group, possess good communication skills, and be able to write high quality technical reports. The working language in this project is English. We encourage applications from all interested students, regardless of gender, race, disability, etc. The network aims to appoint women to at least 40% of the positions.

Continue Reading August 7th, 2008

Netherlands - University of Groningen PhD Student DNA Transport in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae

Project description
The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria is one of the major problems of the coming century. This urges for an understanding of the mechanisms by which antibiotic resistance is transmitted. Conjugal DNA transport via type IV secretion systems is one of the main causes responsible for this spread, but little is known about the mechanism that governs conjugal DNA transport. In Gram-negative bacteria, the DNA has to cross four membranes, which makes it difficult to study DNA translocation by in vitro methods.

However, such studies will be instrumental to reveal mechanistic features of this transport process. Recently, an F factor conjugation- like DNA secretion system has been described in pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoea. Remarkably, this system exports the DNA directly into the medium without the need for cell-to-cell contact. Since here only two membranes have to be crossed, this system is ideal to set up an in vitro DNA translocation system. The aim is to reconstitute the DNA transport reaction both with inner membrane vesicles and proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified components.

For this purpose, components of the DNA translocase will be identified and overexpressed. Interactions between subunits of the DNA translocase, located in the cytoplasm, inner membrane, periplasm and outer membrane will be analyzed using immunoprecipitation , co-purification, blue native electrophoresis, surface plasmon resonance and further molecular biological, biochemical and biophysical techniques.

Offered position
fellowship for a period of four years, which should lead to a PhD in Natural Sciences.

Continue Reading July 6th, 2008