PHD POSITION IN FINANCIAL ECONOMETRICS / QUANT FINANCE, UNIV ST. GALLEN

One 35% - 70% - ASSISTANT POSITION in FINANCIAL ECONOMETRICS and QUANTITATIVE FINANCE

At the University of St. Gallen, Department of Economics, one 35%-70%-assistant position will be opened, starting in July 2009. The position is part of the Prof. Francesco Audrino's and Prof. Enrico De Giorgi's research groups. It is assumed that candidates for these position are willing to start a Ph.D. in Financial Econometrics and Quantitative Finance at the University of St. Gallen. Ph. D. topics for a thesis can cover both, theoretical or empirical methods in Finance and Economics. Examples of recent research articles that could be starting points for a Ph. D. thesis can be downloaded from the web addresses:
www.alexandria. unisg.ch/ Publikationen/ Person/A/ Francesco_ Audrino
www.alexandria. unisg.ch/ Publikationen/ Person/D/ Enrico_Degiorgi

The successful candidate will be integrated in a young, strongly research oriented team, with strong foundation in quantitative methods in Finance and Economics. The group will be located at the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of St. Gallen.

The new Ph. D. candidate is expected to interact strongly with the professors of the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics in the development of their thesis, as well as with professors and post-docs of the Swiss Institute of Banking and Finance. The candidate is also expected to collaborate in the development of the teaching activities of the group in the areas of mathematics and quantitative methods for Finance and Economics. Applications for the position should be send no later than Monday, June 15th, 2009 by e-mail with a complete CV to: Fadrina.denoth@ unisg.ch

Candidate Profile:
- Bachelor and Master degrees in Economics, Finance, Mathematics (in this case, with some studies in Economics), or related fields;
- Willingness to write a Ph. D. thesis in Financial Econometrics or Quantitative Finance at the University of St. Gallen;
- Strong willingness to apply quantitative methods in Finance or Economics;

Duties:
- Collaboration in the teaching of mathematics and statistics at different teaching levels;
- Collaboration in the research activities of the group in the areas of Mathematics, Statistics, Financial Econometrics and Quantitative Finance;
- Development of a Ph. D. thesis at the University of St. Gallen.
Starting Date: 1st of July 2009.

website link:
http://www.nccr- finrisk.uzh. ch/media/ pdf/job/PhDPosit ion09_SanGallen. pdf

PHD POSITION IN MANAGEMENT AT SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT'ANNA, PISA

The "Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (Sant'Anna School for Advanced Studies)" of Pisa, hereinafter referredto as the "School", announces 1 position with full scholarship dedicated to citizens of NON-EU countries for admission to the three-year Ph.D. Programme in Management - Innovation, Services and Sustainability for the Academic Year 2009–2010.

The School may also admit 1 (one) eligible candidate without grants. He/She will take part in the Programme at his/her own expenses but will not have to pay any tuition fee. The admission is decided by a Selection Committee appointed by the Director of the School.

Should additional funds become available before the beginning of the programme, the number of positions will be increased by the School.

The Ph.D. Programme deals with the most important management topics which characterise current research activities. Particular emphasis is given to (i) the management of innovation processes and the international competitiveness of firms, institutions, as well as local, regional and national systems; to (ii) the management of innovative services, such as insurance, health, technological and industrial policy services and to (iii) the management of sustainability in public institutions, private companies and wide territory areas specifically focusing on environment policies, renewable energy sources development, and quality evaluation
of food and tourism industry chain.

Requirements
Eligible Master of Science (M.Sc.), or a Master of Arts (M.A.), or equivalent title. Applicants should not be older than 35 years by 15 May 2009.

People older than 35 may be exceptionally admitted considering the experience gained by the candidate.

Candidates whose native language is not English should own an internationally acknowledged certificate specifying at least their intermediate- level English knowledge (for example, Cambridge First certificate in English (FCE), TOEFL with at least 220 points computer-based or 500 points paper-based, or equivalent
certificates) .

The Examination Committee, as per Article 5 below, states the degree equivalence only for the purpose of this competition;

Applications
Candidates are requested to apply on-line at: http://www.sssup. it/phdapplicatio nonline by 15 May 2009 at 12 pm GMT. In case of difficulties with the on-line application, please contact the PhD Administration Office (telephone +39-050-883383/ 883335/883220, e-mail infophd@sssup. it).

A hardcopy of the application (signed by the candidate) together with the enclosures as per art. 4, must reach the "Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Divisione Formazione Universitaria e alla Ricerca, Piazza
2 Martiri della Libertà, 33 – 56127 Pisa" no later than 22 May 2009. The notice "Application PhD in Management, competitiveness and development" must be written on the envelope.

website link:
http://www.sssup. it/UploadDocs/ 2334_Allegato_ 3_bandoMGMT_ nonUE.do

NORWAY; PHD FELLOWSHIP BIOLOGY

PhD position in population ecology, Trondheim, Norway One PhD position in population ecology with particular focus on the interaction between parasites and host populations is available at the Department of Biology, NTNU. The fellowship is for three years with the possibility of a fourth year including 25 % teaching duties to the Department of Biology.

The aim of the PhD project is to quantitatively investigate the coevolutionary dynamics between parasites and hosts, with particular emphasis on the impact of the infracommunity of parasites on host population dynamics in a metapopulation consisting of 18 insular populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in northern Norway.
*Application deadline: May 22 2009. *

You can find the official job announcement in the following link:
https://secure.jobbnorge.no/visstilling2.aspx?stillid=57656

**
Thor Harald Ringsby, Associate Professor (PhD)
Centre for Conservation Biology (CCB)
Department of Biology
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
NO-7491 Trondheim
Norway

Office: +47 73596277
Fax: +47 73596100
Mobile: +47 91897032

E-mail: Thor.Harald.Ringsby[at]bio.ntnu.no
Website Department of Biology: http://www.ntnu.no/biologi/english
Website CCB: http://www.ntnu.no/ccb
Website personal: http://www.bio.ntnu.no/users/thorr/

UK; PhD Studentship Computing

An exploration of theoretical bases suitable for the design and development of serious games within the context of Change ringing.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded full-time studentship to work in the area of ‘serious games’ applied to the design and development of educational materials useful for school children with the context of ‘change ringing’. The studentship is sponsored by the University of Worcester and the Ringing Foundation.

The Ringing Foundation is a charitable trust whose aim is to raise the public awareness and understanding of change ringing (Cathedral and Church Bells). To support this aim this project will develop educational materials (such as virtual simulations of a bell tower) suitable for Primary and Secondary school children. There is currently a lack of theory on how to develop serious games based on sound educational principles. Through working with the Ringing Foundation, Computing at the University of Worcester and local schools, this project aims to generate theories which may inform the design of serious games. While the project emphasis is on educational theory and instructional design, there is also a significant amount of technical creative work using software such as 3DStudioMax and Unreal Editor (Unreal Tournament 2004).

The student will carry out research that will lead to the award of a higher research degree (MPhil/PhD). The student will carry out and report on an individual research study under the direction of Dr. Colin B. Price (Computing at Worcester University), Dr. Sue Howarth (Education at Worcester University), Prof. Bob Stone (Electronic Engineering, Birmingham University).

Applicants should have (or expect to receive) a 2.1 or above in a discipline connected with education such as teacher training and should be able to show a high level of computer literacy. While the study has an educational focus, it will involve the production of ‘Immersive Environments’ using computer game technology. Applicants should be willing to learn the software packages mentioned above. The successful applicant will receive a tax-free bursary of  £12,300 per annum from the University of Worcester plus a limited budget to support their research. Training in the required software will be provided.

For further details visit: http://www.worc.ac.uk/research/studentships

Application forms can be found here:http://www.worc.ac.uk/research/studentships

For an informal discussion about the studentship please feel free to contact Dr. Colin B. Price at c.price@worc.ac.uk or on 01905 542024.

For questions regarding the application process contact Mrs Helen Tabinor, Graduate Research School Manager (tel: 01905 855012, email:h.tabinor@worc.ac.uk).

Closing date for applications is 28th May 2009

Candidates will be invited for interview on 9th June 2009 (provisional).

US; Postdoc Position (Optics/Imaging) at Naval Research Laboratory SSC

The Naval Research Laboratory at Stennis Space Center, MS (NRLSSC) invites applications for a postdoctoral scientist to conduct research in our cutting- edge optical scattering and imaging program in underwater environments. The successful candidate will conduct studies that include development, parameterization,testing, analysis and application of models and systems that compensate for loss of imaging resolution due to scattering by both particles and turbulence in water.

Training in optics and related field is required. Research experience in at least one of the following areas is highly desired: speckle imaging, numerical modeling (radiative transfer), adaptive optics, image restoration algorithms, and active/passive imaging systems. Skills in in-situ measurements of optical properties, turbulence simulation and measurements, are also preferred. The candidate is expected to conduct experiments both in lab and at sea, in a team environment. The candidate is highly encouraged to develop his/her own research program into potential Navy applications. US citizenship or permanent residency (Green Card) is required. The two year program can be extended. Detailed requirement and program information (including the yearly stipend level around $69 k, travel and relocation) can be found on the official website: http://hroffice.nrl.navy.mil/jobs/postdoc.htm.

To apply: Inquiries about the position should be made directly to: Dr. Will (Weilin) Hou, Code 7333, Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529, Telephone 228-688-5257,email hou at nrlssc.navy.mil.

FRANCE; Postdoc Position in Computational Neurosciences

Subject : Adaptive processing of time intervals in the brain

A 18 month postdoctoral position in computational neurosciences is available at the Institute of movement Sciences (http://www.laps.univ-mrs.fr/ ) and Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences (http://www.incm.cnrs-
mrs.fr/) in Marseille, France. It will be founded by the french ANR (NOAT (ANR-07-NEURO-033-03) and MAPS (ANR-07-BLAN-0335-02)http://maps.loria.fr/)
.

Accurate processing of time intervals is necessary for precise sensori-motor control. Time intervals from tenths of milliseconds to approximately 1-2 seconds are to be calculated by populations of neurons, considering the typical time constant of a neuron is only of 10-20 ms. Two main hypotheses on the underlying mechanisms are
currently found in the litterature, namely :
- “line attractors” approach proposed by Robinson (1989) and Seung (1996)
- “cascade of bistable units” approach, as proposed by Koulakov et al (2002).
Both need a precise and somewhat tricky tuning of the synaptic weights in order to obtain the expected behavior. The candidate will study the conditions under which simple networks with loosely settings adapt their weights to the constraint in order to approach the best “neuronal integrator”. This work will be carried out in close
interaction with experimental labs of Marseille. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop further directions with the project members (models of time perception, models of saccadic adaptation, …).

The applicant should have a doctoral degree in computer sciences or applied mathematics, with a good knowledge on computational approaches applied to the biology of neuronal systems and neuronal modelling.
Skills in programming (Matlab, C/C++/ Python) are expected. Knowledge in dynamical systems and/or control theory is a plus. 

The position will be funded from 09/2009 to 02/2011 with possible extensions. Salary will be based on experience.

Send CV and application letter to Emmanuel Daucé
e-mail edauce [ à ] ec-marseille.fr
Present address :
INRIA Lille - Nord Europe
Parc Scientifique de la Haute Borne
40, avenue Halley
Bât.A, Park Plaza
59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq
tel : 03 59 57 79 80 / 06 28 05 57 06
http://emmanuel.dauce.free.fr

References :
Robinson, D.A. (1989) Integrating with neurons, Ann. rev. neurosci.,
12 : 33-45
Seung, H. S. (1996) How the brain keeps the eyes still, PNAS USA, 93 :
13339-13344
Koulakov, A. A. et al. (2002) Model for a robust neural integrator,
Nature neurosci., 5 (8) : 775-782

–
–
Emmanuel Daucé
Centrale Marseille/UMR 6233
en delegation à l’INRIA Lille - Nord Europe
03 59 57 79 80 / 06 28 05 57 06
http://emmanuel.dauce.free.fr

Denmark : PhD Scholarship Department of Environmental, Social and Spatial Change

PhD Scholarship

A PhD scholarship is available at the Department of Environmental, Social and Spatial Change (ENSPAC),

Modelling spatial catchment hydrology using Earth Observation and Distributed Temperature Sensing of streams

The purpose of the PhD project is to use distributed temperature sensing (DTS) of streams to improve the spatial parameterization and modelling of catchment hydrological processes. The DTS system uses a long (2 km) fiber-optic cable to provide stream temperature measurements with 1 m resolution. In particular, the system will be used to identify, parameterize and model lateral inflows to the stream in relation to the spatial characteristics of the upland contributing areas. The PhD student will be involved in measuring, analyzing and modelling the data using also ancillary information.

The scholarship is financed by the Danish Research Council for Technology and Production as part of a larger research project which includes the use of Earth observation and other spatial data for modelling hydrological and atmospheric processes (www.upscalehydrolo gy.ruc.dk) . The PhD student will be working in the research project group and is co-supervised by the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Environment) who is also a research project partner. The PhD student will be affiliated to the Graduate Programme in Environmental Stress Studies (GESS) at Roskilde University. GESS is an international graduate program that covers a broad range of research topics within the area of environmental stress (www.ruc.dk/ gess).

Candidates with a background in physical geography or environmental engineering and with an interest in both field hydrology and hydrological modelling are encouraged to apply for the position. Experience in hydrological modelling, spatial data management, computer programming, field hydrology and/or data analysis is considered advantageous. Further information can be obtained by contacting Eva Boegh (eboegh-at-ruc. dk, tel +45 46743942) or Dan Rosbjerg (dr-at-env.dtu. dk, tel +45 45251449).

Employment as Ph.d. student is for up to 3 years. The employment includes up to 840 hours work at the department (teaching, research communication etc.) The applicant should be willing to work with national and international monitoring programs and assessment of environmental quality. Salary and other conditions are in accordance with agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

Candidates receiving GESS scholarships are automatically registered in the school. They are expected to participate actively in relevant courses, seminars and other activities arranged by GESS.

Roskilde University encourages all interested applicants, regardless of age, sex religious or ethnic background to apply.

The application should include a project proposal description (max 5 pages), candidate certificate, and curriculum vitae. Letters of recommendation may also be submitted. The application should be submitted in 5 copies to

PhD Secretary, Jytte Bach
GESS
Department of Environmental, Social and Spatial Change
Roskilde University
Universitetsvej 1, PO Box 260
DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

The deadline for application is Monday 25 May 2009, at 12:00 noon.
Material received after this time will not be taken into account.
Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

Germany : 16 PhD Fellowships, Life Science, University of Muenster

16 PhD Fellowships in Life Sciences
International Max Planck Research School / University of Muenster, Germany

International Max Planck Research School - Molecular Biomedicine (IMPRS-MBM)
and Graduate Program Cell Dynamics and Disease (CEDAD)

International PhD Program in Life Sciences
Münster, Germany

Münster’s Graduate Program on Cell Dynamics and Disease (CEDAD) offers cutting edge science together with the newly founded International Max Planck Research School - Molecular Biomedicine (IMPRS-MBM).

CEDAD and IMPRS-MBM - jointly run by the University of Münster and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine - offer integrative approaches to biomedical research with a strong emphasis on imaging.

Research areas:

Cell and Molecular Biology
Stem Cell Biology
Developmental Biology
Neurobiology
Vascular Biology
Immunology
Microbiology
and more

The application deadline for the 3-year PhD program is June 15, 2009.
Projects start in October 2009. Application forms, further information about the program and research projects can be found at

http://www.cedad. uni-muenster. de

The program offers excellent scientific and transferable skills training. The program language is English. There are no tuition fees. Successful candidates will receive a competitive tax-free fellowship as well as support with administrative matters, accomodation, visas etc.

We invite applications from highly qualified and motivated students of any nationality.

We are looking forward to your application for a PhD fellowship in Münster, “the world’s most liveable city” (LivCom Award 2004).

Contact: Dr. Martin K. Wild, CEDAD / IMPRS-MBM, Schlossplatz 5, 48149 Münster, Germany, cedad@uni-muenster. de

http://www.jobs. ac.uk/jobs/ CJ581/16_ PhD_Fellowships

USA; GRADUATE POSITION (MS) ASSISTANTSHIP 2009

A graduate student (M.S.) position in fisheries conservation genetics is available in the Department of Coastal Sciences at the University of Southern Mississippi. The project will involve developing molecular markers and studying population genetics of Gray Triggerfish in U.S. waters. Interest in fisheries conservation genetics is suitable and experience with molecular techniques is an asset. The successful applicant will be provided a 12-month full-time Research Assistantship and a tuition waiver. The position is available with an anticipated start date in fall 2009 and is contingent upon acceptance to the Department of Coastal Sciences graduate program. The Department of Coastal Sciences is located at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (http://www.usm.edu/gcrl) in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on the Gulf of Mexico coast.

Interested individuals should send CV, unofficial transcripts, GRE test scores and letter of interest to: Eric Saillant, Assistant Professor, The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, E-mail: eric.saillant[at]usm.edu