PhD Studentship - The Investigation of Neuromodulatory Approaches for Pain Relief in Models of Headache

Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

King's College London

To start: 1st October 2016
Award
The Migraine Trust Studentship
Project
Primary headache disorders are common neurological disorders of episodic attacks, characterised by head pain and often accompanied by associate symptoms. In particular, migraine and cluster headache are extremely disabling neurological conditions, affecting both adults and children.
Although some aspects of the pathophysiology of migraine and cluster headache remain unknown, it is now accepted that the pain is due to activation of the ascending trigeminothalamic pathway. Cortical spreading depression on the other hand, appears to be the biological correlate for the migraine aura. Activation of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex may explain the associated facial symptoms present during cluster headache attacks. The brain area that is suspected to be involved in the triggering of the attacks is the hypothalamus, potentially its dopaminergic related nuclei.
Neuromodulation approaches for the treatment of intractable migraine, cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, have gained a lot of interest in the past decade. The biological rationale for the use of some of the neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, cervical spinal cord stimulation and occipital nerve stimulation, and their mechanism of action have not been previously investigated. These techniques involve stimulation of different systems (e,g, cortical, peripheral nerve, peripheral and/or central), however, their actual action on the pain pathways of migraine and cluster headache have not been investigated in detail.
In his/her thesis, the PhD student will investigate the actions and mechanism of action of these three neuromodulation techniques in the animal models of headaches. In particular, the PhD student will mostly employ in vivo electrophysiology, including extracellular recordings, DC-shift recordings and microiontophoresis, to investigate the objectives of this thesis. He/She will also use in vitro calcium imaging, hence acquiring skills in cell culture as well. Additionally, he/she will develop expertise in the three neuromodulation techniques, ie. transcranial magnetic stimulation, spinal cord stimulation and occipital nerve stimulation, using state-of-the-art techniques.
The student will enter a vibrant environment at the Wolfson CARD, where he/she will have the opportunity to observe and collaborate with other colleagues in different aspects of the neuroscience of pain.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have (or be expected to obtain) a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project. If applicants already possess (or expect to obtain) a research-based MSc degree, a merit or distinction level is required.
Award type and eligibility
The award is for a three year PhD which will cover College fees, a stipend of £17K (+5% inflation/annum), bench fees and travel expenses to congresses. Applicants should have (or be expected to obtain) a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project.
For more details please see here.

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (12:00 GMT), Sunday 14th August 2016.
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select ‘Research degrees’ and enter the keywords “Wolfson CARD MPhil / PhD”
In your application, you will be asked to include:
•Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
•Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
•Details of previous employment
•A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
•Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: APANMOD2016
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Dr Anna Andreou (supervisor) (anna.andreou@kcl.ac.uk), with an email title: PhD in Headaches, for more information regarding the project and studentship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator karine.gay@kcl.ac.uk.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Sunday 14th August 2016
Interviews: w/c 5th September 2016
Further Information
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/wolfson/index.aspx
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/wolfson/about/people/staff/Dr-Anna-Andreou.aspx

Application deadline:

14 August 2016

16 PhD (Doctoral Candidate) positions in Physics and Materials Science

Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)

University of Luxembourg

The University of Luxembourg (UL) and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) invite applications for up to 16 PhD (Doctoral Candidate) positions (m/f) within the newly established Doctoral Training Unit on “Materials for Sensing and Energy Harvesting” in the research fields of Physics and Materials Science. The doctoral programme MASSENA is funded under the framework of the PRIDE scheme of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR).
The objectives of the research programme are to improve the understanding and the performance of materials used in sensing and energy harvesting. The medium to long-term research objective is to enable new applications and improved performance.
The Doctoral Training Unit is organised in four thematic clusters: three application oriented clusters - (A) strain sensors and energy harvesters, (B) electronic sensors and energy harvesters, and (C) bio-sensing - are supported by a transversal cluster on (D) electronic structure theory.
Your profile:
• Master's degree in Physics, Chemistry, or Materials Science
• Strong background in at least one of the fields of the clusters
• Good English language skills
• Willingness to work in an inter-cultural and international environment
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Curiosity and self-motivation
We offer:
• A dynamic and well-equipped research environment
• Intensive training in scientific and transferable skills, participation in schools, conferences and workshops
• Three-year (fixed term) employee contract at UL or LIST, extensible to four years
• Enrollment as a PhD student in the Doctoral School of Science and Engineering at UL
• Personal work space at UL or LIST (depending on project)
Gender policy:
UL and LIST strive to increase the share of female PhD students. Therefore, we explicitly encourage women to apply.

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Application submission:
Before proceeding with the submission of your application, please prepare the following documents in English.
• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter detailing how you meet the selection criteria. The motivation letter must clearly highlight your choice of research project (listed at http://pride-massena.lu). You can list up to three projects with priorities or you can apply for a cluster. Explain your choice.
• Publication list (if applicable)
• Coordinates of two persons willing to send a letter of recommendation
• Copies of diplomas, transcripts with grades, with English translation
All documents should be uploaded in pdf format. Please note that incomplete applications or applications without project or cluster priorities will not be considered.
Selection process:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview or interviewed by phone. The positions will be offered to candidates following approval by the steering committee of the Doctoral Training Unit.
Applications submitted by 30.09.2016 will receive full consideration. Please submit your application online at http://pride-massena.lu. For further questions, please contact info@pride-massena.lu.

Application deadline:

30 September 2016

Exciting Funded PhD Opportunities, School of Chemistry at Bangor University, UK

Life Sciences Research Network Wales (LSRNW) PhD Studentship:

The Life Sciences Research Network Wales, an initiative funded through the Welsh Government’s Ser Cymru program, supports world-class science within Wales and develops new therapeutic treatments in areas of unmet medical and veterinary need. The School of Chemistry at Bangor University (BU) is proud to be awarded the funding to support a three-year PhD studentship, in collaboration with the School of Medical Sciences. This scholarship will offer the student a monthly stipend in line with RCUK rates, and the tuition fees at the rate for an EU and home student are waived by Bangor University. The successful candidate will be expected to start from 1st Oct 2016.
The successful candidate should have gained a Master degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Polymer Chemistry or a related subject, or hold a first or upper second-class honours degree in one of these disciplines. She/he should be self-motivated and have good communication skills both in verbal and written English. Applicants should be resident in
the convergence area of Wales on appointment, and should have the right to work in the region on qualification.
This LSRNW PhD research project will develop Smart Multifunctional Nanocarriers with Biodegradable and Dual Responsive (pH and temperature) Properties from Hyperbranched Polymers for Targeted Cancer Drug Delivery. To date, many cancer drugs (including small bioactive molecules and therapeutic biopolymers or their combinations) have been discovered and shown promising bioactivity towards killing cancer cells. However, the challenge lies in the pharmacokinetics of these cancer drugs (such as absorption, biodistribution, chemical stability in-vivo, and short half-life), severe side-effects, potential toxicity and immunogenicity. This LSRNW PhD project will tackle this challenge by developing a targeted cancer drug delivery system using smart polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based multifunctional polymeric drug nanocarriers. These polymeric nanomedicines will carry high drug load due to its unique hyperbranched topology and multifunctionality, protect the active principles contained (e.g. doxorubicin, aminoglutethimide or gemcitabine), target specific motifs of cancer cells by using targeting group (e.g. folic acid) and release drugs after internalisation into cancer cells. The impact of this project could be significant due to the anticipated low cost, high efficacy and low side effects of the smart polymeric nanomedicines being developed.
By successfully completing this project, the PhD student will be trained with multidisciplinary research and development skills in the field of developing polymeric biomaterials for targeted drug delivery. The student will be supervised by Dr Hongyun Tai (School of Chemistry, BU) and co-supervised by Dr Edgar Hartsuiker(School of Medical Sciences, BU). This multidisciplinary supervision team and the national and international collaborations will provide an excellent PhD training opportunity.
For further information about Dr Tai’s research group at the School of Chemistry and Life Science Research Network Wales, please following the links below: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/chemistry/ht/index.php#overview
http://www.lsrnw.ac.uk/
Informal enquiry, please email Dr Hongyun Tai at h.tai@bangor.ac.uk.
Please submit a CV, a covering letter and two names of referees to Dr Hongyun Tai by 8th of July 2016 at h.tai@bangor.ac.uk. The interview date is to be confirmed.
This project is partially funded by the Life Sciences Research Network Wales, an initiative funded through the Welsh Government’s Ser Cymru program, and Bangor University.

PhD position in Arctic Archaeology (1.0 fte)

Faculty of Arts

University of Groningen

Description of the PhD trajectory
The Arctic Centre / GIA are pleased to offer a PhD position in Arctic Archaeology, with a geographic focus on Greenland and surrounding areas.
The PhD project will be run in close collaboration with SILA (the Arctic Centre at the National Museum of Denmark), with supervision by staff from both institutions.
We welcome applications that aim to address one topic within these two broad themes:
• Prehistoric Archaeology: Early Dorset in the Eastern Arctic; Thule Culture (e.g. cultural responses to the Little Ice Age); exchange/trade networks across the Eastern Arctic; technological studies of archaeological materials from the Fifth Thule Expedition.
• Historical Archaeology: Dutch/European whaling/trading in the Davis Strait; culture-contacts and early colonial and Inuit settlements and landscapes in Greenland.
Requirements
We are looking for a talented and ambitious researcher who will possess:
• master's degree in Archaeology or related discipline (or the Anglo-American equivalent: an undergraduate degree in the same or related discipline)
• an excellent academic record
• proven research abilities
• close affinity with the research topic and with the Arctic region
• excellent command of English and strong academic writing skills; preferably also reading skills in another European language (e.g. Danish, Dutch, German, etc.).
Conditions of employment
This is a fulltime, fully-funded PhD position lasting 48 months. As a PhD candidate, you will be committed to conducting independent and original scientific research, to report on this research in international publications and presentations, and to present the final results of the research as a PhD thesis. During your PhD you will be based at the Arctic Centre in Groningen, and will also need to undertake research visits to SILA/Copenhagen, and possibly Greenland (including fieldwork).
Every year results are assessed in order to ensure satisfactory progress and timely completion of the thesis. PhD candidates are also required to participate in the Faculty’s GSH training programme for PhD students (cf. https://www.rug.nl/research/gradschool-humanities/) and will draw up a personal training and supervision plan. Part of the training consists of following the Career Perspectives curriculum, which aims to prepare students for their (academic or non-academic) careers after the PhD trajectory.
Further information about the PhD-training programme and position can be found at: https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/phd-scholarship-programme/
Employer
Office of the University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.
Department
Faculty of Arts
Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established a leading international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering the highest-quality teaching and research. Its 30,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international center of knowledge: it belongs to the top research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.
The Graduate School for the Humanities (GSH) is the home for all PhD candidates of the Faculty of Arts (c. 200), and is committed to creating and maintaining excellent conditions for PhD research in all fields of the humanities. In addition to organizing local training courses, the GSH works closely with 16 national research schools which offer regular courses and seminars by top national and international researchers.
The Arctic Centre (AC) of the University of Groningen was established in 1970, and researches long-term human-environment relations across the Circumpolar North, with specialisms in Arctic Archaeology and Polar Ecology. The AC forms part of the Groningen Institute of Archaeology (GIA); its staff manage the Netherlands Arctic Station in Spitsbergen, represent the Netherlands in the International Arctic Science Committee, and are expert advisors to the Working Groups of the Arctic Council.
Contract type: 48 months

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

Prof. Peter Jordan, Director of the Arctic Centre (about PhD position/discussion possible projects)
p.d.jordan@rug.nl
Ms M.R.B. Wubbolts (for questions regarding the application procedure)
m.r.b.wubbolts@rug.nl

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Applicants should send the following information:
1. a cover letter introducing themselves, and describing their motivations and qualifications for pursuing PhD research and training in Arctic Archaeology
2. a full CV demonstrating academic excellence
3. a certified copy or scan of their BA / BSc / MSc / MA diploma (or equivalent) and other relevant academic records / transcripts; furthermore a copy of their passport
4. a detailed research proposal, presenting a specific project; this should define a central research question, and explain the methods and datasets required to approach and answer this question (not exceeding 1500 words (references not counted); please see general research themes and potential topics listed above)
5. names and contact details of two academic referees.
Applicants should send their entire application as a single PDF file. This can be loaded under ‘letter of motivation’ on the website.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.
Application deadline: 21 August 2016, 23.59 p.m. (local Dutch time).
Interviews for shortlisted candidates: September 2016.
Start date: 1 November 2016.
Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.
You can apply for this opportunity using the application form on the AcademicTransfer website.

Application deadline:

21 August 2016

PhD Studentship: Reconstruction and Visualization of Neuron Structures of the Brain

Bournemouth University

Brain Research has recently received a lot of attention; examples include the heavily funded EU flagship project Human Brain Project (HBP) and US Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neuro-technologies (BRAIN) Initiative. These two ambitious projects hope to advance our understanding of both normal and pathological brain functions; offering potentially enormous benefits to society. One should also recognize that neuroscience is generating exponentially growing volumes of imaging data from both healthy and diseased brains in animals and humans. This enormous quantity of data, however, has created a number of substantial bottleneck issues for the ambitious neurological projects, both in data processing and in need of heavy manual intervention. The lack of powerful and effective computational tools for automatic segmentation and registration of neuron structures has emerged as a major technical obstacle in Brain Research.
The aim of this project is to develop novel neuron registration algorithms and tools towards the goal of automatic production of 3D digital atlas of nervous system for animals.
Training Opportunities
The training programme will be directed by Dr H. Yu, with co-supervision provided by Dr H. Peng. The training programme will concentrate on facilitating the delivery of the four primary objectives:
(1) Computer visualization and graphics methodology. Dr H. Yu also runs a series of advanced seminars on geometry modelling, 3D reconstruction, visualization and rendering;
(2) Software development. Dr H. Peng and Dr H. Yu will provide hands-on training in the use of Vaa3D system and medical volume data;
(3) Placement with leading research group and industry partner. Dr H. Peng’s group will provide the world leading research placement—Allen Institute for Brain Science (USA);
(4) Communication skills, including the preparation of oral/poster symposium communications and peer-reviewed publications; delivery will be through attendance of BU's extensive training course for new researchers and through active participation in BU internal seminars and external formal/informal research activities outside BU.
SUPERVISORY TEAM
First Supervisor: Dr Hongchuan Yu, BU
Additional Supervisors: Dr Hanchuan Peng, Allen Institute for Brain Science, USA
Eligibility Criteria
All candidates must satisfy the University’s minimum doctoral entry criteria for studentships of an honours degree at Upper Second Class (2:1) and/or an appropriate Masters degree. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (or equivalent) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.
Additional Eligibility
As there is a requirement that the successful applicant undertakes work placements in the Matched funder’s company (Canada) for more than 18 months during the PhD program, applicants will be required to show that they are willing and able to do this.

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Funding notes:

To discuss this opportunity further, please contact Dr Hongchuan Yu via email: hyu@bournemouth.ac.uk

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Please complete the online application form by 9 August 2016. For further information and details of how to apply please see here.

Application deadline:

9 August 2016

PhD Studentship: Ecological Tutoring System for Air Traffic Control

Aerospace Engineering

Delft University of Technology

Human activities are increasingly being replaced by smarter automation. The demand for more automation is currently a hot topic in air traffic control, where technical solutions are sought to cope with predicted increases in air traffic volume and complexity. However, the automation paradox warns us that with more automation the human's role becomes all the more crucial. That is, intelligent technical systems require intelligent humans to supervise and operate them. Ironically, worrisome theoretical and empirical evidence indicates that automation leads to the erosion of skills and expertise. This is especially problematic in cases of automation failure, which require competent humans to save the day. But what if we could develop automation in such a way that it not only helped with task performance, but also with the development of human expertise? The goal of this project is to design and empirically evaluate an adaptive system that is able to train novices in becoming control experts. This system will be a unique combination of adaptive automation and Ecological Interface Design to result in a so-called “Ecological Tutoring System.” In contrast to conventional forms of automation that are geared toward hiding information and supplanting human activities, the envisioned system will be geared toward sharing information and collaboration. The scope of the research is air traffic control with the focus on conflict detection and resolution tasks. The results are expected to give new directions to automation design challenges in many adjacent domains.
Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:
• MSc in engineering or computer science, with a strong affinity for human-machine systems research; candidates with an MSc in experimental or engineering psychology, and strong engineering skills, are also invited to apply.
• Necessary technical and software (i.e., programming) skills to adapt and augment our existing software tools and air traffic control simulators.
• Skills to set up experiments (including participant instructions, test protocols) and process the results by statistical analysis
• Ability to learn quickly and work autonomously, and a strong analytical capacity
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Conditions of employment
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information.
Contract type: Temporary, 4 years
Employer
Delft University of Technology
Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.
Department
Aerospace Engineering
The Control and Operations Department houses the aerospace operations expertise of the Aerospace Engineering Faculty at the TU Delft.
The concentration of all operational knowledge, modelling and tools lies at the basis of the department’s strategy for the future, which is to further improve the faculty’s research and educational programme and its ties with national and international developments.
The Control and Simulation (C&S) section aims to advance the development of autonomous control systems and combined human-machine systems in aerospace, building on a solid theoretical basis and physical insights while exploiting theoretical progress in adjacent fields, and validate these systems experimentally in world-class facilities, closing the loop between theory and practice.
C&S aims to be a leading research group in the integration, development and testing of new theories on control, autonomous and cognitive systems (with and without human elements).
For more details please see here: www.academictransfer.com/34911

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Clark Borst, phone: +31 (0)15-2789099, e-mail: C.Borst@TUDelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, publication list and two references along with a letter of application by 1 October 2016 to Dr. Borst, c.borst@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number LR16-22.
If your MsC diploma and transcript are not in Dutch, English, French or German and you will be the selected candidate, the TU Delft will ask you to deliver a certified translation.
Additional information
Clark Borst
+31 (0)15-2789099
c.borst@tudelft.nl
You can apply for this opportunity using the application form on the AcademicTransfer website.

Application deadline:

1 October 2016

MSc and MRes Urban Energy Technology and Policy - Full Fees Scholarship Awards

Postgraduate Opportunities

Newcastle University

Closing date: 5pm on Friday 29th July 2016. You will be notified via email of the outcome of your application by mid-August 2016.
Value of award
100% of tuition fees paid.
Number of awards
Urban Energy Technology and Policy MSc - 1 UK/EU fee paying student; 1 non-EU international fee paying student.
Urban Energy Technology and Policy MRes - 1 UK/EU fee paying student; 1 non-EU international fee paying student.
Overview
The School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape is pleased to offer full fees scholarship awards for the following courses:
Urban Energy Technology and Policy MSc
Urban Energy Technology and Policy MRes
Person Specification
To be eligible for a full fees scholarship award you must:
- Hold an offer to study on either the MSc or MRes Masters programme in Urban Energy Technology and Policy starting in September 2016
- Hold a 2:1 or above Honours Degree or international equivalent (or be expecting to achieve this in 2016)*
- Have IELTS 6.5 or equivalent with 5.5 in all sub sections
- Recipients must accept the scholarship award within four weeks of offer or the award may be withdrawn and offered to another candidate.
*Conditional offer holders may be selected for an award subject to meeting the requirements of their offer.
Regulations
1. Students may only apply for a full fees scholarship award if they have been offered a place to study on our MSc or MRes Urban Energy and Technology programme.
2. Candidates must become registered students in the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape on our MSc or MRes Urban Energy and Technology programmes.
3. Students applying for part-time study are eligible to apply for the scholarship but occasional students are not eligible. Successful part-time students will receive the award at the appropriate pro-rata rate.
4. A full scholarship award cannot be held concurrently with any other School scholarship.
5. The award will normally be credited to the student’s tuition fee account.
6. The School reserves the right to vary all or any scholarship and discount awards at its sole discretion.

General funding sources

For general sources of funding that may apply to this study opportunity, visit the page(s) below.

• Institutional funding
• General funding

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

Any enquiries should be sent to:
Kelly Weightman
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Tel: +44 (0)191 208 8818
E-mail: Kelly.weightman@ncl.ac.uk

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Please submit a full fees scholarship application form with your 500 word essay question included to: Kelly Weightman Kelly.Weightman@ncl.ac.uk

Application deadline:

29 July 2016

Fully Funded PhD Graduate Teaching Assistantship

School of Management

Swansea University

Closing date: 15 July 2016
The School of Management, Swansea University, invites applications for a fully funded Graduate Teaching Assistantship, starting in September 2016. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake PhD research within the School, as well as carrying out a number of teaching responsibilities.
Founded in 1920, Swansea is a vibrant, research-led university at the forefront of academic and scientific discovery. The University's School of Management is a research-led, internationally focused centre of excellence for learning and the advancement of knowledge in Business and Economics. The School of Management has a growing international expertise in a broad range of research areas covered by Business Management and Economics.
Based in a state of the art building on a new seafront campus, the School has an international reputation for excellence in research and teaching, which is reflected by the successful REF2014 result. In REF2014, the School achieved an overall GPA of 2.93, positioning it in the top 30 (out of 102 submissions) amongst UK business schools. Building on the success of REF2014, the School of Management is now seeking to strengthen its PGR community and is pleased to invite applications for a funded PhD (Graduate Teaching Assistantship) for the September 2016 intake. The School offers a supportive and friendly environment in which to study that combines academic rigour with business relevance.
PhD proposals are welcome in any areas of research activity within the School of Management, including the following:
- Data Analytics
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance / Accounting
- Human Resources, Organisations
- Information Systems, E-business, Electronic Government, Digital and Social Media Marketing
- Innovation
- Marketing and Strategy
- Operations Management
Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore the research expertise of the School to ensure a good fit between PhD proposals and potential supervisors. Further information may be found at: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/som/postgraduate-study/phds/
Eligibility
Applicants should have a first class or upper second class (2.1) honours degree and usually an appropriate Master's degree in a relevant discipline, preferably with a substantial research skills element.
For more details please see here: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/management-gta-phd-2...

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Funding notes:

The studentship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a tax free stipend of £14,296 p.a. for three years.
UK/EU and international students are welcome to apply, although only UK/EU tuition fees are covered by this studentship. International students will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and international tuition fees. International students must be able to demonstrate that they are able to finance the difference in tuition fee value prior to commencing their studies.

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

Informal enquiries about this studentship are welcome before the application deadline and may be directed to:
Professor Yogesh K Dwivedi: Y.K.Dwivedi@swansea.ac.uk
Dr Emma Slade: E.L.Slade@swansea.ac.uk
Ms Sian Roderick: S.Roderick@swansea.ac.uk
Ms Amy Jones: Amy.E.Jones@Swansea.ac.uk

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Candidates should submit a:
- CV
- Research proposal relating to one of the above specified areas
- Covering letter
to: Ms Amy Jones (Amy.E.Jones@swansea.ac.uk)
The deadline for applications is Friday 15th July 2016.

Application deadline:

15 July 2016

3 Year PhD Studentship: Understanding factors predicting progression of Type 2 diabetes Ref: 2199

Exeter Medical School

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter Medical School is seeking to attract PhD candidates of outstanding ability to join their exciting and rapidly expanding programme of internationally rated research.
The successful candidate will undertake research that aims to improve the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes by understanding why some patients progress very rapidly and require intensive treatment, whereas others do not, and to be able to identify these patients in clinical practice.
Type 2 diabetes affects over 400 million people worldwide and one of the major worldwide causes of early death and disability. Many complications can be prevented through good control of blood glucose. The rate at which Type 2 diabetes progresses is markedly variable, this is likely to represent subtypes of diabetes with different physiology. Identifying patients who have rapidly progressive forms of diabetes would both allow doctors to target treatments that may slow diabetes progression to those most likely to benefit, and identify patients with ‘poor prognosis’ who require more intensive monitoring and treatment escalation. It may also aid in the development of new therapies aimed at delaying diabetes progression.
The successful candidate will use large collections of patient data and samples collected by the Exeter NIHR Clinical Research Facility team and the Medical Research Council ‘MASTERMIND’ research consortium to identify clinical features and biomarkers associated with rapid diabetes progression. This will include assessing genetic factors influenceing diabetes progression and working with data from industry trials and electronic healthcare records (‘big data’). There is the opportunity to adapt the proposed research to suit the research interest of the applicant. The student will work with the internationally recognised research team lead by Professor Andrew Hattersley at the University of Exeter and the Exeter led MASTERMIND consortium which is leading diabetes stratification research in the UK. They will develop extensive skills in clinical research and bioinformatics/statistics and answer questions directly relevant to patient care. The successful applicant will be expected to publish findings in high quality peer reviewed journals during the studentship.
Academic Supervisors:
Lead Supervisor:
Prof Andrew Hattersley Professor of Molecular Medicine & Consultant Physician
A.T.Hattersley@exeter.ac.uk
Co-supervisors:
Dr. Angus Jones, NIHR Clinician Scientist & Consultant Physician
angus.jones@exeter.ac.uk
Dr. Beverley Shields, Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics
B.Shields@exeter.ac.uk
Funding Notes:
The studentship will be fully-funded for UK/EU students, including a stipend of £14,296 per annum (based on the full-time 16/17 rate). Tuition fees will be paid at the UK/EU rate. Candidates from countries outside the European Union will be liable for the difference between 'home student fees' and 'international student fees' which was just over £14,000 in 15/16 but is likely to increase slightly each year. Non-EU students who wish to be considered must confirm their ability to pay the international portion of the fee. If selected, financial assurances will be required.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. International applicants must also have IELTS [International English Language Testing System] score of 7 and above (or equivalent qualification).

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Funding notes:

Stipend of £14,296 per annum plus UK/EU fees for eligible students (2016-17 full-time rates)
Candidates from countries outside the European Union will be liable for the difference between 'home student fees' and 'international student fees' which was just over £14,000 in 15/16 but is likely to increase slightly each year. Non-EU students who wish to be considered must confirm their ability to pay the international portion of the fee. If selected, financial assurances will be required.

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

For further information and details of how to apply please see here.

Application deadline:

17 June 2016

3 Year PhD Studentship: Psychological Distress and Suicidality in Primary Care Ref: 2197

Exeter Medical School

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter Medical School is seeking to attract a PhD candidate of outstanding ability to improve the management of psychological distress and suicidality in primary care.
This PhD is jointly funded by the Judi Meadows Memorial Fund (http://judimeadows.com/about-the-memorial-fund/) and the University of Exeter. On 1 June 2009, Judi Meadows tragically and suddenly took her own life following a short but intense period of depression. The Meadows family established the Judi Meadows Memorial Fund to help prevent other deaths by suicide. The Judi Meadows Memorial Fund is part of the McPin Foundation, a charity that specialises in user focused mental health research. The student will be expected to engage with the McPin Foundation and will benefit from its expertise in delivering this project.
The aim of this PhD is to develop a new way of working for GPs - moving from the current ‘diagnose, medicate and refer’ model of practice to a model based on the relationship, shared understanding and personalized action, harnessing a person’s strengths. The rationale being that more inclusive engagement and action oriented to an individual’s concerns is more likely to both improve mental wellbeing and prevent suicide than attempts to train GP specifically in suicide prevention. The intervention will be co-produced with GPs and people with lived experience of psychological distress. The student will collaborate with the Lived Experience Group, University of Exeter (http://www.exeter.ac.uk/mooddisorders/groups/leg//).
In the U.K, over 6,500 people die by taking their own life each year. More than half of those who take their life have been to see their General Practitioner (GP) in the month before their death. Thoughts of suicide are a marker of psychological distress. Currently, the management of psychological distress in primary care is problematic. It is concerned with categorizing people into diagnoses, rather than engaging with psychological distress. We propose that a focus on the doctor-patient relationship and creating a shared understanding, rather than focusing on the diagnosis, will open communication and patient disclosure of highly sensitive experiences. Further there is evidence that ’ticking the box’ when assessing suicide risk, is received badly by patients; our alternative model encourages engaging with patient distress and working with them to harness their strengths towards recovery.
In order to develop and test the new model the PhD will involve conducting focus groups and interviews with GPs and people experiencing psychological distress being seen in primary care. It will also involve video-recording GP-patient consultations to micro-analyse verbal and non-verbal communication. Applications from students with an interest in qualitative methods, conversation analysis and intervention development are especially welcome.
Academic Supervisors:
Professor Rose McCabe
Professor of Clinical Communication
University of Exeter Medical School
Professor Richard Byng
Professor in Primary Care Research
University of Plymouth
Professor Chris Dickens
Professor of Psychological Medicine
University of Exeter Medical School
Funding Notes:
The studentship will be fully-funded for UK/EU students, including a stipend of £14,296 per annum (based on the full-time 16/17 rate). Tuition fees will be paid at the UK/EU rate. Candidates from countries outside the European Union will be liable for the difference between 'home student fees' and 'international student fees' which was just over £14,000 in 15/16 but is likely to increase slightly each year. Non-EU students who wish to be considered must confirm their ability to pay the international portion of the fee. If selected, financial assurances will be required.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. International applicants must also have IELTS [International English Language Testing System] score of 7 and above (or equivalent qualification).

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Funding notes:

Stipend of £14,296 per annum plus UK/EU fees for eligible students (2016-17 full-time rates).
Candidates from countries outside the European Union will be liable for the difference between 'home student fees' and 'international student fees' which was just over £14,000 in 15/16 but is likely to increase slightly each year. Non-EU students who wish to be considered must confirm their ability to pay the international portion of the fee. If selected, financial assurances will be required.

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

For further information and details of how to apply please see here.

Application deadline:

22 June 2016

PhD position - Handheld optical skin perfusion imager

Faculty of Science & Technology

University of Twente

We invite you to apply if you are a physicist and/or physics oriented biomedical or electrical engineer (MSc) interested in developing a handheld optical skin perfusion imager, as a member of a team. The team will consist of physicists and/or physics oriented biomedical engineers, experts in image processing, and clinical researchers. They will work in a consortium consisting of the University of Twente (Biomedical Photonic Imaging, and Robotics and Mechatronics), Radboudumc (Department Dermatology), hospital ZGT (Wound Expertise Centre), Martini Hospital Groningen (Burn Centre), and high tech companies Demcon, Focal Vision and Optics, Quest Medical Imaging and Cinoptics.
You will work in the Biomedical Photonic Imaging group of the University of Twente. The perfusion imager to be developed is based on light scattering in tissue, the optical Doppler effect and the phenomenon of dynamic optical speckle. You will contribute to the project goals by using/adapting theories of these phenomena, performing simulations, optical experimenting, developing specifications for the final system design and quantitative validation of realised prototypes. Your will report on your research in papers in international scientific journals, and a PhD thesis.
Requirements
You have an MSc degree in (Applied) Physics, Biomedical Engineering or Electric Engineering, with a special interest in optics experimenting and simulation, and the application of light for biomedical purposes. Team working skills are essential.
Conditions of employment
We offer a very challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. As a PhD candidate you will be offered a full-time (38 hours/week) position for four years, after which you should have completed your PhD thesis. After 6-9 months into the first contract year admission to years 2-4 is decided based on a qualifier exam. In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, the gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2.174,-- in the first year to € 2.779,-- gross per month in the final year, plus a holiday allowance (8%), an end-year bonus (8,3% of the annual salary) and a number of additional benefits. The University of Twente provides excellent campus facilities, and actively supports professional and personal development.
Employer
The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over six faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.
Within the TNW Faculty (Faculty of Science & Technology) of the University of Twente some 700 staff members and 2000 students are involved in training and research on the interface of chemical technology, applied physics and biomedical technology. Fields of application include sustainable energy, process technology and materials science, nanotechnology and technical medicine. Research, which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+ and MIRA. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Information and application
Please contact Prof.dr. Wiendelt Steenbergen (w.steenbergen@utwente.nl) for more information.
Your application must be uploaded before the 1st of July via the link below. Do not apply by e-mail. Applications need to include a one-page motivation letter, a detailed CV (incl. obtained degrees and publications, if any), and contact details of at least 2 references.
You can apply for this opportunity using the application form on the AcademicTransfer website.

Application deadline:

1 July 2016

Fully Funded PhD Studentship: Development of a Low-Cost Moderate Intensity Exercise Training Intervention for People with Asthma

College of Medicine and College of Engineering

Swansea University

Closing date: 17 June 2016
Development of a low-cost exercise programme for sedentary individuals with moderate/severe asthma at risk of an exacerbation (Ref: PHD/16/01)
We invite applications for this PhD studentship, which is funded by the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research and provides an exciting opportunity to work with experts in Respiratory Medicine (Wilson, Davies), Exercise Science (Stratton) and Public Health (Jones) to devise and implement a novel exercise programme for sedentary individuals with moderate/severe asthma.
As asthma attacks result in major social and healthcare costs, novel methods of reducing them are required. Exercise interventions have been shown to improve quality of life, symptom free days and airway inflammation, suggesting a role for reducing attacks. However, short-term exercise interventions do not have long term benefits and patient acceptable sustainable interventions are required.
The project:
1) Literature review of exercise activity in adults
2) Development of a low-cost, exercise training programme
This will comprise of motivational interviews, individual exercise prescription (with moderate activity and strength training) and on-going motivation/encouragement. The exercise programme will be developed using available route map planning software to produce short circular exercise journeys interface. On-going interviews and budding will be used to encourage participation.
3) Feasibility testing of intervention
After baseline demographic and physiological assessments, 36 patients with asthma and a previous exacerbation will study assessments including shuttle walk test, activity measurements, asthma control and quality of life tests at baseline and 4-monthly periods for 12 months. Focus groups and/or semi-structured interviews will be conducted at the end of the study. Recruitment, completion and adherence rates will be captured.
Training opportunities:
Training will be provided in the areas of systematic reviewing, assessment of physiological measures & exercise capacity, exercise training, GIS based route map planning software, and clinical trials. Experience will also be gained in quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Supervisory Team:
Andrew Wilson*, Andy Jones*, Gareth Stratton+, Gwyn Davies+
*Norwich Medical School +Swansea University.
The successful candidate is expected to start their studentship in October 2016.
Eligibility
Candidates should hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject area, such as nursing, physiotherapy, psychology/behavioural science, exercise/sports science) or geography.
UK/EU and international students are welcome to apply, although only UK/EU tuition fees are covered by this studentship. International students will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and international fees.
For more details please see here: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/respiratory-medicine...

Funding information

Funding applies to:

Open to applicants from a range of countries

Funding notes:

The studentship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a tax free stipend of £14,057 p.a. for three years.
There will also be additional funds available for research expenses up to a value of £1890 per year.
UK/EU and international students are welcome to apply, although only UK/EU tuition fees are covered by this studentship. International students will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and international fees.

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

Informal enquiries about this studentship are welcome, and may be directed to Andrew Wilson by email (A.M.Wilson@uea.ac.uk) or by telephone (+44 01603 591257).

Administrative contact and how to apply:

To apply, please return (in electronic form) your:
- CV
- Personal statement (up to a maximum of two A4 pages)
- Degree certificates
- Academic grades for your undergraduate degree
- 2 academic references
to: Maria Moller: M.Moller@swansea.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is Friday 17th June 2016.

Application deadline:

17 June 2016