Applications are invited for a three year PhD studentship based within the Camborne School of Mines (CSM), at the University of Exeter’s Cornwall Campus near Falmouth, researching the theme of ‘Electricity Demand Reduction and Responsive Strategies for Mining Operations’. This project will contribute to CSM’s continuing expansion of research interests in mining and energy. The studentship is being funded by the CSM Trust and will be supervised by Dr Gareth Kennedy and Dr Patrick Foster.

Main objectives of the project:

The electricity demand of mining operations has become an increasingly important factor during the last few decades, particularly with rising energy costs and the limited availability of energy resource. As mining operations continue to grow larger in size, and with the price of electricity set to increase significantly in the near future, a comprehensive strategy to account for these changes will be necessary. The project will concentrate predominantly on developing novel demand reduction and management strategies capable of reducing the electricity demand specifically when the mine is operating under peak conditions.

The scheme will forecast the electrical efficiency of a mine several hours and days in advanced, providing the mining operator a real time and pro-active tool for advisory decision support.
The aims and objectives of the project are to:

• study the load demand profile in the mining sector to characterise the overall effects of load-shifting and reduction technique;
• develop demand reduction and management strategies that can be deployed in an underground mine without affecting the safe operation of the mines;
• develop a prototype smart technology and instrumentation system that will enable such strategies to be implemented;
• evaluate carbon footprint reduction as the result of implementing a demand reduction/managemen t system in the mining sector.

Main duties and responsibilities:

The successful applicant will make original contributions to this research through the development of novel control and responsive strategies for reducing electricity costs in mining operations. He/she will be expected to study mine power systems (if there is no prior knowledge) and operations in order to develop this intelligent responsive scheme. The student will be required to participate in the PhD training and development programme offered by the University.

The successful student will also have the opportunity to work closely with the mining industry. This will include on-site visits to underground mines (potentially both in and outside of the UK), obtaining data, and collaborating with major mining companies. In addition to the project work, the student will be expected to attend and present at international conference(s) and publish their work.

Relevant Experience/Qualific ations/Skills:

Essential

• Experience in numerical and computational methods.
• A minimum of an Upper Second Class (2.1) degree in electrical and electronic engineering, mining engineering or related disciplines
• Competent use of email and word processing;
• Possess good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written technical reports.

Desirable

• Evidence of experience in modelling and forecasting electricity demand would be an advantage.
• Experience in smart technology and instrumentation system design.
• An MSc in electrical, electronic, or mining engineering or a related discipline would be an advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, including a good knowledge in electrical and electronic engineering. Good understanding about mining operations will be an advantage.
• Familiar with LABView, MATLAB or power system simulation packages such as IPSA, PowerFactory/ DigSILENT, PSS/E and PSCAD/EMTDC.

The studentship is for three years and available from 1 October 2009. It includes a maintenance grant of £13290 per annum with all fees paid for Home/EU students.

Applicants should send a covering letter and a detailed CV, together with names and addresses of two referees to

Laura Taylor,
sogaer-schooloffice@exeter.ac.uk

Closing date: 30th June 2009

Informal Enquiries: Before submitting an application you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting

Dr Gareth Kennedy
Tel: 01326 371876
email: g.a.kennedy@exeter.ac.uk

or

Dr Patrick Foster
Tel: 01326 371828
email: p.j.foster@exeter.ac.uk

The project is on the modelling and design of electromagnetic traps of Bose-Einstein condensate drops and their spatio-time dynamics.

The applicants should have a background corresponding to a Master of Science in microwave techniques and electromagnetics. Some knowledge in quantum mechanics and the modelling of nonlinear circuitry by Agilent ADS or Cadence is strongly desired. Applicants from quantum electronics or physics are welcome, too.

Further information about this award can be obtained from Professor Guennadi A. Kouzaev, tel. 73 59 63 69 , e-mail: guennadi.kouzaev@iet.ntnu.no

Award holders at NTNU are normally appointed for 4 years with 25% of the time spent on specified work. This work is primarily linked to teaching and is usually divided so that a relatively large part is done in the first half of the period of the appointment.

The appointment is at code 1017, salary level 45-61 in the national salary scheme, gross NOK. 353.000- 468.500 per annum, of which 2% is deducted for the State Pension scheme.

The appointment will be made in accordance with current regulations with relevant parts of “Supplementary guidelines for employment as research fellow at NTNU”.

The goal of the announced position is to obtain a PhD degree. Applicants must agree to participate in organised doctoral study programmes within the period of the appointment. The successful applicants must agree to the conditions laid down for public employees. A contract will be drawn up regarding the period of appointment and work-related duties for award holders.

See also the information about doctoral studies at NTNU at

http://www.ime.ntnu.no/Dr.gradsstudier

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent. It is therefore a major political objective to achieve a balance of gender and to recruit persons with an immigrant background. Immigrants are encouraged to apply for this post.

NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply.

The application must contain information about education, examinations and previous experience. Certified copies of certificates and documents must be attached.

Publications and any other work which the applicant wishes to be taken into account should also be enclosed. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to specify the input of the applicant in a joint work, a short summary should be attached outlining the applicant’s input.

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Applications are to be sent to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway, or by e-mail to: application@ime.ntnu.no. Application should be marked Jnr. IME-038-2009. Closing date: 3rd of August 2009.

HENVISNINGSANNONSE (Teknisk Ukeblad)

Further information about this award can be obtained from Professor Guennadi A. Kouzaev, tel. 73 59 63 69 , e-mail: guennadi.kouzaev@iet.ntnu.no

Applications are to be sent to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway, or by e-mail to: application@ime.ntnu.no. Application should be marked Jnr. IME-038-2009. Closing date: 3rd of August 2009.

• Four of these studentships are associated with EPSRC Research projects.
• The remaining seven studentships are directly funded via Kent University Studentship routes, DTA awards and/or EU funding.

Three of these studentships have specific projects associated with them, while the remaining four can be chosen from a wide ranging list of projects.

Projects

EPSRC Funded Research Projects:

• Bodyworn Antennas
• Output Feedback Control for Uncertain Variable Structure Systems with Resets
• Oxyfuel Flame Imaging
• Intelligent Flame Detection Incorporating Burner Condition Monitoring and On-Line Fuel Tracking

DTA / University Funded Projects:

• A Multi-Parameter Assessment of Upper Limb Movement throughout Rehabilitation
• Autonomous and Intelligent Healthcare System (SYSIASS)
• NOBA (NOmad Biometric Authentification)

Other PhD Opportunities:

• Emotional Engineering and Affective Computing for 3D Social Virtual Worlds: A Biometric Approach
• User Experience and Social Engagement with Computer Games among Older People
• Ageing-Adaptive Face Recognition
• Biometric Liveness Detection and its Evaluation
• Person Recognition from High-Resolution Skin Texture
• Interactive Face Recognition
• Monitoring of Particulate Emissions through Digital Imaging and Light Scattering
• Digital Imaging Based Characterisation of Biomass Particles in Power Generation
• Reconstruction of Radical Emissions in a Combustion Flame through Stereoscopic Tomography
• Tomographic Reconstruction of Soot Volume Fraction and Emissivity of a Sooting Flame using Multiple Cameras
• Monitoring and Characterisation of Gas Turbine Flames through Stereoscopic Imaging and Two-colour Techniques
• Body-Worn 4G and Healthcare Systems
• Frequency Selective Wireless Control in Smart Buildings
• Wearable RFID Tag Design
• Biometric/Signature Variation due to Capture Device
• Bar-Code Biometric Templates
• Signature Ageing and Stability

Details of all the projects can be viewed at:

http://www.ee.kent.ac.uk/postgraduate/pg_studentships.aspx

All studentships cover tuition fees at the home/EU rate plus a maintenance grant which is equivalent to that offered by the Research Councils.

The Department is engaged in high-quality research with significant national and international impact while offering excellent opportunities for graduate studies over a wide range of projects.

Applications are invited from students from the disciplines of Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Maths or a related discipline.

Application process

Applicants should apply online at

http://www.kent.ac.uk/studying/postgrad/gradapply.html

stating in which project/studentship they are interested.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 17.00 on Friday, 3rd July 2009.

The PI is Prof. Daniela Rus. See URL:

http://groups.csail.mit.edu/drl

Each appointment duration is 12 months, with a possible extension of another 12 months.

Position 1

The research will be focused on designing small soft robots capable of locomotion and internal deformation, in order to squeeze through holes narrower than the robot body.

The research will investigate the role of new materials and non-traditional actuation in designing and controlling such machines. The research will also investigate control and planning algorithms for this type of system. This project is a collaboration between MIT, Harvard, and iRobot. For this position we are looking for applicants with robotics background. Applicants with chemical engineering background can also be a good fit.

We are looking for candidates with knowledge of mechanism design and control, demonstrated creativity, and experience with building robots.

Position 2

The research will be focused on decentralized control of multi-robot systems. We are looking for creative candidates with strong background in control theory, estimation theory, and experience with implementing algorithms on hardware platforms.

Some knowledge of computer networking is also desirable.

Applications

Applicants for both positions should hold a PhD in a robotics-related discipline.

Interested applicants should send a CV (with a brief research statement) and a list of references by email to Rebecca Yadegar ( ryadegar@csail.mit.edu )

The project will investigate the use of thermo electric generators in hostile environments, such as those experienced by space probes to the inner solar system. Recent developments suggest that efficiencies close to the theoretical Carnot limit may be possible, but this has not been achieved, with reports in the literature around 10%. The project will investigate the use of a variety of methods including thermogenerators and thermo-tunneling devices and how these perform in regions of high and low temperatures and under simulated solar flares.

This project is due to start in September 2009.

Eligibility and Value of the Award
In line with the DHPA scheme you must be a national from one of the eligible countries listed on the OECD webpage

http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/35/9/2488552.pdf

For more information on eligibility, please also see the Research Council UK’s website.

http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/hodgkin/stufaq.htm

The award covers tuition fees and maintenance of approximately £13,290 per year.

Person Specification
You must have, or expect to achieve, a first-class Honours degree (or equivalent) in electronic engineering or physics.

How to Apply
You should complete the University’s online postgraduate application form, quoting the code EE008 and selecting ‘PhD School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering – Electrical and Electronic Engineering’ . A CV including contact details of two referees and a personal statement stating why you are suitable for this studentship should be attached to the application form.

You should also send a copy of your CV and personal statement, quoting the code EE008, to Mrs Gill Webber, gill.webber@ ncl.ac.uk, (School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU).

Closing date for applications: 30 June 200

Reference Code: EE008

Closing Date: 30th June 2009

Details:

Supervisors: Dr Alton Horsfall and Professor Nick Wright
School: School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering
Sponsor: Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Awards Scheme (DHPA)
Duration: 3 years