UK; Rural Digital Economy Research Hub PhD Studentships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Students working within the Hub will benefit from:

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

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

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

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

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

• Office and laboratory space in a dedicated environment on the King’s College campus.

Awards

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

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the application form atwww.abdn.ac.uk/sras/documents/dhapp.doc and should specify “Digital-1” on the application. Application forms should be returned to Graduate School Admissions Unit, College of Physical Sciences, St Mary’s, King’s College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FU. Deadline for Application is Friday 14th August 2009.

Queries about the studentships should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit. Tel: 01224 272515, Email: cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk

Funding information

Value:

£13,290 per annum for 3.5 years

Funding applies to:

EU applicants (including UK)

Funding duration:

3.5 years

Contacts and how to apply

Administrative contact and how to apply:

Applicants should complete the application form atwww.abdn.ac.uk/sras/documents/dhapp.doc and should specify “Digital-1” on the application. Application forms should be returned to Graduate School Admissions Unit, College of Physical Sciences, St Mary’s, King’s College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FU. Deadline for Application is Friday 14th August 2009.

Queries about the studentships should be directed to the Graduate School Admissions Unit. Tel: 01224 272515, Email: cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk

Application deadline:

14 August 2009