Kent Business School
University of Kent
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD studentship in the area of
Optimisation and River Infrastructure Planning starting (ideally) in
January 2011. The studentship, which is supported through an EPSRC
Doctoral Training Grant, will involve working on an interdisciplinary
research project entitled 'Next Generation Decision Planning Methods for
River Infrastructure Placement and Mitigation' under the supervision of
Dr Jesse O'Hanley. The main objective of the project is to develop novel
optimisation models for prioritising river infrastructure removal and
other mitigation activities, as well as identifying sites for future
river infrastructure expansion, while taking into account a host of key
environmental/ecological impacts (e.g. stream flow, sediment transport,
water quality, habitat availability and fish dispersal) and
socioeconomic impacts (e.g. recreation, fishing, water supply, flood
control and hydropower generation). Multi-objective and stochastic
integer programming techniques will be investigated together with
exact/heuristic solution methods. Further, depending on the student's
interests, application of Bayesian statistical methods may also be explored.
The PhD student will join the Management Science group within the Kent
Business School. The Management Science group is one of the largest and
top rated research groups in the UK. Further advanced training in
operational research and statistics is available through the EPSRC's
NATCOR programme. As part of the project, the PhD will also have the
opportunity to reside for up to one academic term in the US in order to
work and study under the guidance of a leading academic (Prof Michael
Kuby) from the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at
Arizona State University. Prof Kuby specialises in the field of
optimisation and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applied to
transportation, energy, and environmental planning. Additional
short-term visits to Scotland in order to work and liaise with the
Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the main external project
partner, may also be required.
The studentship covers Home/EU fees and provides a monthly stipend
(approximately GBP13,500 p.a). Only UK/EU citizens are eligible to apply.
The ideal candidate would normally be expected to hold a 2:1 or First
class honours degree plus an MSc, or equivalently an upper 5-year
undergraduate degree if coming from Europe, with a background in
operational research, mathematics, statistics, computer science or some
other quantitative discipline relating to the project. Excellent written
and verbal communication skills are essential. Knowledge of or
experience in the use of one or more of the following is highly
desirable: optimisation modelling, algorithm design, CPLEX (or some
other optimisation software package), computer programming (preferably
C/C++ or Java), inferential statistics, GIS, environmental economics,
ecological/environmental modelling. Applications will be assessed based
on previous academic achievements and relevant skills.
How to Apply
Applications should be sent to Claire Baldock, Research Secretary, Kent
Business School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7PE, telephone
01227 823009, e-mail c.a.baldock@kent.ac.uk quoting EPSRC DTA PhD
Studentship in the e-mail subject. Further details regarding the
studentship are available through the web link below:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/kbs/programmes/research/opportunities/index.html
Applications should be sent electronically and include all of the
following materials:
- A cover letter explaining your specific interest in the research
project, relevant training and skills appropriate to working on the
project, and long-term career goals
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Official transcript(s) of your undergraduate/postgraduate degrees
- Names and contact information of two references (one of which must be
from an academic institution you have studied at) who can supply letters
of support if short-listed for the position
- Any English qualifications obtained if English is not your first language
Informal enquiries may be directed by email to:
Dr Jesse O'Hanley, Kent Business School, e-mail j.ohanley@kent.ac.uk
Completed applications should be received no later than: 15 September 2010
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