Further information Please also visit the ORC homepage: www.orc.soton.ac.uk for more information. If you have any further questions, please email admissions@orc.soton.ac.uk or contact Professor David Shepherd, Admissions Tutor, on +44 (0)23 8059 3373.
Postgraduate studentship in wafer bonding for MEMS: EPSRC Case Award, Faculty of Science
Start date: as soon as possible A new interdisciplinary project with industrial backing requires a postgraduate research student willing to develop skills in laboratory measurements and modelling. The chief topic will be the investigation of the physical and chemical mechanisms involved in the surface activation of semiconductor wafers for low temperature high strength bonding. The project builds on a patented technology that uses chemical radicals generated in an electrical plasma as the pre-treatment medium. The project will involve surface analysis including XPS and AFM, electronic characterisation of semiconductors and the compositional analysis of gaseous plasmas. The project will extend the technology from silicone wafers to other combinations and will involve modelling and development of novel plasma sources. The studentship will be based at the main campus of the Open University in Milton Keynes, in the newly-commissioned plasma physics labs. Our industrial partner is located in Oxfordshire and the student will be expected to spend some time there each year. There will also be opportunities for international travel to conferences and other research institutions. (This studentship has been made available through the South East of England Development Agency.) The following will be used in the selection process. • A good degree in physics, materials, chemistry or electronic engineering is essential - normally a degree at 2:1 or better (EPSRC requirement). • Laboratory experience preferably related to electronic measurements or surface science. • The ability to develop independent expertise as part of a team working between academic and industrial environments. • For a full award students must have a relevant connection with UK (usually established by residence, EPSRC requirement). Closing date 31 October 2007.
Instrumentation Development for Sciences at Extreme Conditions
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship to work in the area of instrumentation engineering. The proposed research will form part of the large instrumentation development programme at the heart of the new multidisciplinary Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions. The PhD project will involve designing new and making modifications in the existing pressure cells (e.g. diamond-anvil cells, Paris-Edinburgh pressure cell, etc.) and equipment for in-house research as well as for use at central facilities such as ISIS - the world's leading pulsed neutron & muon source situated at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford. The work will include use of computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA) packages as design tools for making pressure cell and auxiliary equipment, and also for ensuring safety of their users. The successful candidate is also expected to participate in scientific experiments involving the use of the new equipment and provide training and advice to the users at the later stages of the project. The project will form part of a recently funded £3.5m programme of physics research on "Fundamental systems at extreme conditions" which will focus on the structures, dynamics and properties of materials at extremes of pressures and temperatures. The overall programme is led by Prof. R. J. Nelmes in the School of Physics and the Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC). The studentship will be held in the School of Engineering and Electronics/CSEC, under the direct supervision of Dr. K. V. Kamenev.The studentship comprises a tax-free bursary for three years at around £12,000 per year together with College fees at the home/EU rate. International students may be considered but they will need to cover the difference between home/EU and oversees fees. Applicants must have a first or a 2.1 Master's or Bachelor's degree (or an appropriate equivalent) in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, GeoSciences or Chemistry. Previous experience in using FEA and CAD packages as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), chemical vapour deposition (CVD) would be advantageous. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr. Konstantin Kamenev (Tel: +44 (0)131 651 7232). Formal applications, which should be sent to Mrs Liz Paterson (School of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, King's Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, UK, EH9 3JL), should include a completed formal application form, which is available from here or by contacting Mrs Paterson (+44-(0)131-650-5573), and all the necessary documentation as indicated on this application form. The deadline for submitting the application form is the 1 November 2007
Liverpool John Moores University MPhil/PhD Studentship – up to 3 years Communicable Disease Morbidity and Mortality among Problematic Drug Users
The studentship covers university fees at the UK/EU level and a stipend of £12,600 per annum
The Centre for Public Health, Liverpool John Moores University invites applications for an MPhil/PhD studentship to conduct a programme of research focussing on communicable diseases affecting problematic drug users.
Drug users are particularly vulnerable to a range of blood borne infections including hepatitis B, C and HIV, due to injecting with non-sterile equipment and risky injecting behaviour. Hepatitis C is currently the most significant infectious disease affecting those who inject drugs, with concern nationally regarding the rising number of infections in the UK as a whole. Research has also identified the implicative role of infections in deaths of drug users from localised and systemic bacterial infections and illnesses associated with viral infections, however infection-related deaths are largely ignored in official statistics relating to drug-related deaths.
The student will be expected to develop a research programme focussing on communicable diseases affecting problematic drug users, to inform knowledge and understanding of the true burden and cost of drug-related mortality and blood borne viruses. The research will be highly quantitative and require extensive application of multivariate statistical techniques. The student will be expected to have experience in handling large datasets and data manipulation and a statistical background would be advantageous. People with basic statistical abilities who wish to develop these in a public health setting are encouraged to apply, in addition to those with research experience in a health-related field. Applicants must demonstrate research or statistical experience in their application.
Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree and a relevant Masters degree would be an advantage (professional research experience would also be considered). The student will join active teams of researchers in the fields of substance use epidemiology and drug use prevention. The work programme will be supported by academics and professionals with specialist expertise and networks, in addition to the support and development opportunities provided by the University Research and Graduate School and the Faculty of Health and Applied Social Sciences.
The studentship covers university fees at the UK/EU level and a stipend of £12,600 per annum for full-time study for up to three years. The student will register initially for the award of MPhil and will be expected to transfer to PhD registration within 12-15 months (subject to satisfactory progress and approval of the transfer report).
For an informal discussion, contact the Director of Studies for the research programme, Dr Caryl Beynon (email: c.m.beynon@ljmu. ac.uk). To apply, please complete the application form for postgraduate study, and send with your CV (optional) and a cover letter explaining your interests and skills relating to this opportunity to Dr Diana Leighton, Castle House, North Street, Liverpool, L3 2AY (d.j.leighton@ ljmu.ac.uk; 0151 231 4551). Application forms are available from the following website: http://www.ljmu. ac.uk/RGSO/ 59300.htm
