International | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 35

Postdoctoral Position Ambulatory Real-time Detection of Major Epileptic Seizures, Netherlands

/ August 23, 2010 Leave a Comment

Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e) is one of Europe’s leading research universities. The Eindhoven area, in the southern part of the Netherlands, is one of Europe’s top ‘innovation ecosystems’, with many high-tech companies and institutes. TU/e is closely intertwined with many of these companies and institutes, and research at TU/e is characterized by a combination of academic excellence and industrial relevance. Culturally, the Netherlands is a very interesting part of Europe. Historic cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague, Maastricht, Brussels, and Antwerp are all within easy reach from Eindhoven.

Kempenhaeghe is an internationally leading expertise centre for epilepsy and sleep-wake disorders. Kempenhaeghe is involved in nearly all major domains of epilepsy research, and offers a multidisciplinary semi-academic clinical research environment in the Eindhoven area. One of the innovation programmes in the area of diagnosis focuses on the detection of epileptic events, called seizures.

Project description

The goal of the ‘seizure detection programme’ is to achieve increased safety for the patient and a better quality of life for them and their loved ones by offering reliable, unobtrusive detection of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy has many different types of seizures, ranging from minor very short to major life-threatening seizures; every type has its own characteristics. The golden standard for detection of epileptic seizures uses combined EEG and video monitoring. This process is time-consuming, expensive, and only applicable to hospitalized patients. In order to overcome these problems and widen the reach of seizure detection to extramural patients, dependable unobtrusive approaches are critically needed. In past collaborative research, Kempenhaeghe and TU/e have gained important experience in detecting seizures based on analysis of heart activity and based on accelerometers attached to various parts of the body. Building on this experience, this PostDoc project seeks to develop and validate an unobtrusive system for detection of major epileptic seizures, and to iteratively refine it to approach the dependability of the aforementioned golden standard.

The main scientific focus will be on the development of dynamic models that characterize epileptic heart activity, epileptic movements, and the key sensor characteristics and (e.g. movement) artifacts, along with sophisticated multimodal model-based signal-processing and interpretation algorithms to extract reliable seizure information in ambulatory settings. The project will take a clinically driven approach, i.e. working in close collaboration with neurologists and medical technicians and taking their experience and knowledge as starting point. Algorithm development and validation will be based on real clinical data from patients. To obtain adequate clinical immersion, the candidate is expected to spend a significant fraction of his/her time at Kempenhaeghe, while TU/e will be the home base for algorithm development.

Requirements

Candidates for this position should have a Ph.D. degree in signal processing or control, physics, or biomedical engineering, and an extensive publication record in leading journals. A strong mathematical basis and a background in signal processing (statistical and adaptive signal processing, pattern recognition and machine earning, efficient real-time implementation of signal processing algorithms) is required. Hands-on experience with physiological monitoring and ambulatory sensor systems is desired, as are good programming skills in Matlab and C++. Candidates should be pro-active and entrepreneurial, have a ‘hands-on’ attitude, and excellent social and team working skills.

What we offer

A challenging job with a combined appointment at a multidisciplinary clinical expertise centre and a dynamic and ambitious University. A temporary appointment for the period of 3 years. Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement (CAO) and are at least € 2988 per month (FWG 60) and at most € 4705 per month (scale 12). Salary is based on knowledge and experience. An attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work facilities, child care, and excellent sports facilities).

Application Deadline 29-08-2010.
Read more: http://scholarship-positions.com/postdoctoral-position-ambulatory-real-time-detection-of-major-epileptic-seizures-netherlands/2010/08/04/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScholarshipPositions+%28International+Scholarships+and+Financial+Aid+Positions%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail#ixzz0xQvofvqm

Filed Under: Medical Science, Physical Science, Post Doctoral Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The AW Mellon Foundation Masters and Doctoral Scholarship Programme, Africa

/ August 23, 2010 Leave a Comment

South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds will be given preference. Allocation of awards will be based on academic merit and financial need.Applicants from other countries in Africa will be considered.Only the following fields of study will be considered. Social Justice, Historical Studies, Political Theory and Criminology, Music, with preference for Ethnomusicology, Environmental and Geographical Studies, Anthropology, Film & Media, Gender Studies, Philosophy, Psychology, African Languages, Democratic Governance, Constitutionalisation of Private Law, Constitutional Law, Marine & Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, Organisational Psychology ,Economics, Actuarial Science, Demography Determined individuals who intend to contribute to the development of and who intend to address the problems facing South Africa and the continent of Africa are invited to apply for these Scholarships.

Application Procedure: Applications are invited from suitable candidates (see PURPOSE above) who intend to commence with full-time masters or doctoral studies at the University of Cape Town in 2011. Only applicants who will register for the first year of study and whose intended studies fall into the areas of study shown above will be considered.
Applicants for the Scholarship Programme will be required to:
Submit a letter of application to the address given below. The letter must provide a summary of the applicant’s career plans and intended role in the development of South Africa and the continent of Africa. Submit a detailed budget plan for the proposed year of study, including all anticipated income and expenditure. This should be accompanied by a Pro-Forma Invoice from the University’s Fees Office. Attach curriculum vitae of no longer than TWO A4 pages. Provide proof that he/she has been accepted for fulltime study at the University of Cape Town Attach certified copies of all academic transcripts Provide proof of acceptance for study by the University of Cape Town and the relevant academic department. Evidence of such acceptance must be attached to the Application Package. Have secured a Supervisor. Evidence of the Supervisor’s commitment to supervise the applicant must be attached to the application package Provide letters of reference from Two Academics who have taught and/or supervised the applicant. These references should be attached to the application in sealed envelopes or sent directly to the address given below before the closing date Submit an approved research proposal summary or abstract for the PhD degree (this document must be no longer than 3 A4 pages)
Successful applicants will be required to undertake to comply with the Conditions of Award which include the planning and organising of at least one seminar based on the study being undertaken.
The complete Applications Package, including all of the above requirements, must be submitted to:
The Director; Postgraduate Funding Office; University of Cape Town – Private Bag; Rondebosch 7701.
by no later than 15 September 2010.
Read more: http://scholarship-positions.com/the-aw-mellon-foundation-masters-and-doctoral-scholarship-programme-africa/2010/08/05/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ScholarshipPositions+%28International+Scholarships+and+Financial+Aid+Positions%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail#ixzz0xQ7euLSG

Filed Under: Arts & Administration, Doctorate Degree, Social Science Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PhD Studentship, Neutron Reflectometry and Ellipsometry applied to ATmospheric Night-time Oxidation (NEATNOx), University of Reading, UK

/ August 22, 2010 Leave a Comment

This project aims to obtain new insights into characteristics of film-covered cloud droplets by combining neutron reflector and ellipsometry for the study of atmospheric
reactions. Concerted experiments with these two complementary techniques will allow
investigation of the kinetic behaviour of organic monolayers at the air–liquid interface.
Organic monolayers on a Langmuir trough act as model for naturally occurring organic
layers on cloud droplets, and gas-phase destruction of the monolayers is monitored in real
time. Central to the project objectives is the optimization of the ILL’s new horizontal
neutron reflectometer, FIGARO, to push its temporal resolution to new limits. The
development of a dedicated cell for ellipsometry measurements will allow essential characterization of the chemical systems.

The work forms part of a wider research programme into modern climate change. Reactions
of model surfactants with the atmospheric night-time oxidant NO3 as well as with the
nitrogen oxides NO2 and N2O5 will be investigated. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as
well as surfactants with various degrees of deuteration will be studied to gain insight into
the reaction mechanisms at sub-molecular resolution. The experimental data obtained will
be fed into newly developed models to (i) directly quantify the importance of surface
reactions on atmospheric aerosol; (ii) de-convolute the relative importance of surface
reaction, bulk reaction and transport; (iii) provide mechanistic insight with sub-molecular
resolution; and (iv) gain key information on the surfactant properties of reaction products.

The student will be based at ILL in Grenoble for the duration of the PhD and will have visits
to the University of Reading where the degree will be awarded. This position represents an
excellent opportunity for the student to be involved in additional collaborations and
participate in international meetings as well as cross-disciplinary research projects.
The annual allowance is currently €28,800 (subject to social security contributions and
income tax) plus the ILL productivity bonus (€910 in 2009), tuition fees are not payable. A
stipend will be paid at a similar level for 3 years from commencement of study, subject to
transfer to PhD after the first year.

The studentship starting date should be between October 2010 and February 2011. The
studentship is open to UK and EU nationals. Non-EU nationals are welcome to apply if the
have funding for the difference between EU and international fees.

Closing date for applications: 10th September 2010.

Filed Under: Doctorate Degree, Grants and Fellowships, Physical Science, Post Doctoral Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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