physics engineering | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

Leicester Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit PhD Studentship in Computational Modelling in Stroke & Heart Disease, UK

A major preventable cause of brain injury following cardiac surgery comes from showering the brain with embolic debris (particles and air bubbles in the bloodstream). Emboli obstruct blood flow which can lead to tissue damage and/or stroke. This project takes place within a larger British Heart Foundation (BHF) study, which uses patient-specific computer simulations to predict the effects of emboli on cerebral blood-flow during surgery. Computer simulations have potential to provide a clinically useful tool for modelling perfusion injury, predicting brain injury, and guiding interventions. The aim of our BHF project is to extend existing Doppler ultrasound embolus detection methods using a ‘virtual patient’ simulation. The role of the PhD student will be to determine whether our virtual patient models provide valuable predictive information on cerebral perfusion correlating to physical damage seen in patients’ Magnetic Resonance (MR) Images. The project will use angiography data to develop models of the cerebral arteries, combining patient specific information with generic models of the microvasculature. Predictions based on ultrasound monitoring during surgery will be compared to the results of MR scans and neuropsychological tests. Our team collaborates closely with surgeons and physicians within the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and has an established track record in Medical Physics research. The project will provide the student with training in medical imaging techniques (ultrasound and MR), clinical research methods, and modelling of vascular physiology. We are seeking a hard working, highly motivated student with good computational and communication skills and an interest in working in a clinical environment.
Eligibility: UK and EU nationals/permanent residents only. Entry Requirements: Applicants should hold a 1st or 2.1 degree in Physics, Engineering or a numerate discipline and have an interest in computational modeling.

Scholarship Application Deadline: 1 June 2011
Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD in Seismology, Uppsala University, Sweden

We are seeking a motivated candidate where a strong background in physics, engineering or geophysics with interest in better understanding “how the Earth works” as well as the interaction between natural hazards and society. Fieldwork may be necessary. Experience of programming is a merit.

The PhD position is for 4 years where financing for the first year may be by a study grant (utbildningsbidrag) and the following 3 years as an employee of the university as a PhD student. If funds are available, it is possible to extend the PhD study period to maximum 5 years by working as a teaching/research assistant (max 20%). Uppsala University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply for this position.

Scholarship Application Deadline:April 15, 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD in Seismology, Uppsala University, Sweden

Katla Volcano is one of the most active and hazardous volcanoes in Iceland as is revealed by its historical volcanic activity. Much information can be obtained about the processes in a volcano from its ongoing seismicity. The PhD project outlined here aims at approaching this inherently multidisciplinary topic building on the methods developed in seismology at Uppsala University for the analysis of microearthquakes. Real-time monitoring techniques, including relative earthquake location, systematic changes in focal mechanisms and variations in stress, and techniques such as regularized catalogue relocation, mapping of active faults, 3D and 4D tomography, and ambient-seismic-noise tomography are important for this research. The development of early-warning systems and communication of risk and threats to society is important in this project, therefore the candidate is also expected to interact with colleagues within CNDS which is a new multi-disciplinary collaboration between Earth Science and Engineering between Uppsala University, Karlstad University and the Swedish Defence College addressing Natural Disasters on a broad research front.

We are seeking a motivated candidate where a strong background in physics, engineering or geophysics with interest in better understanding “how the Earth works” as well as the interaction between natural hazards and society.  Fieldwork may be necessary. Experience of programming is a merit.

The PhD position is for 4 years where financing for the first year may be by a study grant (utbildningsbidrag) and the following 3 years as an employee of the university as a PhD student. If funds are available, it is possible to extend the PhD study period to maximum 5 years by working as a teaching/research assistant (max 20%). Uppsala University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women to apply for this position.

For further information, contact Prof. Roland Roberts, e-mail: roland.roberts@geo.uu.se,  phone. +46-18-471 2384., or Ari Tryggvason, e-mail: ari.tryggvason@geo.uu.se, phone +46-18-471 2388, Prof. Sven Halldin, phone +46-18-471 2262, e-mail: sven.halldin@hyd.uu.se (CNDS).