Doctorate Degree | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 77

PhD Position at LIRMM-INRIA, Montpellier, France: Whole body control framework for lower limb stability in computational rehabilitation

INRIA is the French national institute for research in computer science and control. DEMAR project’s research interests are centered on the human sensory motor modeling, including muscles, sensory feedbacks, and neural motor networks.

research direction:
Identification of biomechanical dynamics and muscle dynamics for neurologically damaged patient is already challenging as the system
response can drastically vary depending on the degree of the patient deficiencies. In FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation), movement
synthesis and control are still a challenging task due to the complexity of whole body dynamics computation and the nonlinearity of
stimulated muscle dynamics. One of the challenge concerns the feedback (torque, EMG, joint angle) that can be used to control joint angle,
torque or stiffness. Moreover, control strategies have to be designed in order to be performed on portable architecture and tuned through
advanced modeling and simulation.
In this context, the goal of this PhD work is to study the optimization-based motion synthesis and real-time control framework
which can generate stimulation patterns from the pre-computed motion synthesis database. Motion capture system together with the estimation of the Center of Mass would be used to assess the strategies. This work aims at the development of automatic method to establish deficient limb stability in computer-aided rehabilitation.
This PhD work is performed under the collaborative project named @walk (artificial walking) between INRIA DEMAR project and AI lab of
Stanford University.

Research background:
-Master in control engineering, computer science, biomechanics, robotics or related disciplines.
– good knowledge of C/C++ programming and matlab.

Scholarship Application Deadline: Contact Employer

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PhD Studentship: Functional Analysis of Major Transcriptional Regulators in Pathogenic Dermatophytes, Germany

Although dermatophytes cause the majority of superficial fungal infections in humans and animals,
little is known about the pathogenicity or basic biology of these filamentous fungi at the molecular level. The planned project sets out to identify and characterize the role of putative, major transcriptional regulators in dermatophytes. This work should provide fundamental insights into environmental adaptation mechanisms of these clinically important fungal pathogens.

We expect:
• a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Natural Sciences (e.g., Biology, Biomedical Sciences,
Biotechnology or related fields). Candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply.
• a high interest in molecular/microbiological research and basic skills in applying current techniques of these fields
• high motivation and interest in joining one of the interdisciplinary research areas of the JSMC
• creativity and interest in shaping your own thesis project
• an integrative and cooperative personality
• very good communication skills in English (the language of instruction at the JSMC)

We offer:
• a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top?level research
conditions
• a PhD stipend paid for three years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation) as well as generous research funding
• a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
• a top?level PhD training program with courses in state?of?the?art research technologies and soft skills
• Jena – the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively town with dynamic business activities, successful scientific centers of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich Schiller University

Scholarship Application Deadline:
Although dermatophytes cause the majority of superficial fungal infections in humans and animals,
little is known about the pathogenicity or basic biology of these filamentous fungi at the molecular level. The planned project sets out to identify and characterize the role of putative, major transcriptional regulators in dermatophytes. This work should provide fundamental insights into environmental adaptation mechanisms of these clinically important fungal pathogens.

Further Scholarship Information and Application

2011 CSC PhD Scholarships at Utrecht University, UK

The China Scholarship Council – Utrecht University PhD Scholarship Programme yearly offers PhD candidates from China the opportunity to start a PhD programme at Utrecht University on a 4 year scholarschip. Selection for this programme is undertaken by Utrecht University and by the China Scholarship Council, respectively. CSC deadline: 20 March and 31 May 2011. Following the 2007 agreement between the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and Utrecht University (UU) yearly a number of excellent Chinese candidates can come to Utrecht University to pursue a full PhD on a 4-year CSC scholarship of € 1200 per month. In general a PhD at Utrecht University takes 4 years. Qualified candidates from Mainland China in all disciplines conducting research at Utrecht University Partners (UUP)* are considered eligible. Applications from candidates who are not registered at one of the Utrecht University Partners are also welcome, but will not have a priority. Applications in the 15 Utrecht University Research Focus Areas, have a priority. This document contains information on the programme procedure. Attached to this document is an application format which can be used by the applicant to contact a Utrecht University or by a prospective Utrecht University supervisor to contact a candidate and to prepare for the CSC application. The attached application format is not the official CSC application form but will help the candidate and prospective Utrecht University supervisor to exchange necessary information before applying to CSC. Kindly check the CSC website on how to apply to CSC for this programme.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 20 March and 31 May 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application