Friday, February 10, 2012

[DMANET] Two Ph.D. positions in algorithms and networking at Reykjavik University

Two Ph.D. fellowships: "Design of Ad-Hoc Wireless Networks"
School of Computer Science, Reykjavik University

Applications are invited for two Ph.D. fellowships at the School of
Computer Science (SCS), Reykjavik University. The positions are part
of a three-year research project funded by a grant-of-excellence by
the Icelandic Research Fund, under the direction of Magnús M.
Halldórsson.

Aim of the project

The aim of this project is to elucidate fundamental properties of
wireless networks, broadly construed. Our focus is on general provable
properties that hold for arbitrary configurations and are independent
of situation-specific characteristics. We explore realistic models of
interference, with the aim of bridging some of the gap between
theoretical and applied research. We will also investigate practical
protocols to disseminate information in general networks.

Some of the aspects of the projects include:
• Spectrum management, including game theory and spectrum auctions,
and cognitive radio.
• Analysis of increasingly realistic models of wireless communication,
including shadowing and obstacles, mobility, and network coding.
• Installation of a comprehensive wireless testbed, and the
implementation of empirical confirmation studies.
• Resolution of fundamental open questions on wireless scheduling and
capacity, and the design of communication primitives.
• Creating and evaluating protocols for information dissemination in
combined wired and wireless networks.
• Devising practical systems and implementing applications for general networks.

The mode of operation of the project is three-pronged:
• Designing and implementing systems and kernel primitives.
• Conducting empirical studies in a wireless testbed, along with
simulations studies.
• Designing and analysing algorithms with provable performance bounds.


Research environment

The research group consists of faculty members from three schools at
Reykjavik University and collaborators at TU Aachen and ETH Zurich.
The group includes Ýmir Vigfússon, Henning Úlfarsson and Pradipta
Mitra (SCS), Eyjólfur Ásgeirsson (School of Science and Engineering)
and Sverrir Ólafsson (School of Business and School of Science and
Engineering). The project director is Magnús M. Halldórsson (SCS). Our
primary collaborators are Berthold Vöcking (TU Aachen) and Roger
Wattenhofer (ETH Zurich); we also collaborate with other world-class
researchers in Europe, N-America, and Asia. The research group website
is http://alnet.ru.is/sinr.html.

The successful candidates will benefit from, and contribute to, the
research environment at the Icelandic Centre of Excellence in
Theoretical Computer Science (ICE-TCS). ICE-TCS has currently 14
permanent members, five postdoctoral researchers and three Ph.D.
students. For more information about ICE-TCS, its members and its
activities, seehttp://www.icetcs.ru.is/.

Qualification requirements

Applicants for the Ph.D. fellowships should have a MSc degree in
Computer Science, or closely related fields, and have a solid
background in the analysis of algorithms and a good understanding of
networking. One of the studentships is expected to be
systems-oriented, for which an experience with systems design and
implementation is essential. The other will be focused on algorithmic
analysis, for which mathematical competence is crucial.

Remuneration

Each Ph.D position provides a stipend of 250,000 ISK (roughly 1600€)
per month before taxes, for three years, starting as early as possible
and no later than September 2012.

Application details

By Friday, 25 February 2012, interested applicants should send their
CV, including a list of publications where applicable, as a PDF
document to mmh@ru.is, together with a transcript of their academic
record, a 1-2 page statement outlining their suitability for the
project and the names of two referees who can comment on the research
potential of the candidate.

We will start reviewing applications as soon as they arrive, and will
continue to accept applications until the positions are filled.
However, we strongly encourage interested applicants to send in their
applications as soon as possible.

About the School of Computer Science at Reykjavik University

The School of Computer Science at RU (http://en.ru.is/CS) has
approximately 440 students at the undergraduate, masters and doctorate
levels. The School is home to several strong research groups and the
main research areas are algorithmics, artificial intelligence,
combinatorics, concurrency theory, databases, human-computer
interaction, natural language processing, engineering software
systems, theoretical computer science and virtual environments.

The School of Computer Science at Reykjavik University has ties with
several leading foreign universities, facilitating collaboration, as
well as faculty and student exchanges. In particular, the School has a
joint M.Sc. degree in Computer Science with the University of
Camerino, Italy, and joint Ph.D. degree programs with KTH, Stockholm,
Sweden, and Eindhoven University of Technology, Holland.
Information about Ph.D. studies at the School of Computer Science is
available at
http://en.ru.is/departments/school-of-computer-science/ph.d-studies/
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