Basic Description

Applications are invited for a number of postgraduate research positions at the Hamilton Institute in the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. The Hamilton Institute is a multi-disciplinary research centre that seeks to provide a bridge between mathematics and its applications in ICT and biology. Successful candidates will join one of the largest, internationally recognized and most active networking research groups in Ireland.

Wireless networks are not only ubiquitous and of great economic importance to modern society, but also the source of many of the fundamental scientific challenges faced by modern communication networks. A key feature of modern networks is their scale and complexity and at the Hamilton Institute we are developing new mathematical methods to gain insight and understanding. We combine this theoretical analysis with cutting-edge experimental work, and it is this combination that is one of the distinguishing features of the Hamilton Institute and that is allowing us to advance understanding in scientifically challenging areas of practical significance.

Graduate students at the institute are embedded in a vibrant, stimulating research environment and gain a unique education from leading researchers, positioning them well for their career development. The institute has a very active international visitor programme and provides the opportunity for international and industry exchange visits. Our Network Maths initiative is part of our structured PhD programme where leading international researchers provide specialist postgraduate modules to support our research students.

For more information on the Hamilton Institute and its research activity, please visit www.hamilton.ie

Candidate Profile

The candidate should hold a good (usually first-class honours) degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field and be motivated to tackle challenging research problems. Interpersonal skills are required for successful interdisciplinary research, so the candidate should be a team player.

Stipend

Our postgraduate scholarships are open to Irish, EU and international students and carry a stipend of €21,000 (tax free). To apply, candidates should submit a detailed CV, transcripts of undergraduate grades, motivation letter and the names and addresses of two referees for letters of recommendation to Prof. Doug Leith, email: hamilton@nuim.ie.

The Hamilton Institute is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer.

About the Hamilton Institute

Graduate Study

• The Hamilton Institute has one of the largest and most active networking research groups in Ireland and is an international centre of excellence.
• The Institute has strong links to leading international research groups and industry research labs. For our students, this not only ensures a “cutting-edge” experience but also provides the opportunity for international and industry exchange visits.
• The Institute provides an excellent student experience. Our Network Maths initiative (www.networkmaths.ie), run jointly with Trinity College Dublin, is part of our structured PhD programme where leading international researchers provide specialist postgraduate modules to support our research students.

Our Students

• We prepare our students for a professional career and for academic research. Our strong research and industry links ensure that, as one of our graduates, you will be well regarded by employers, industry and academia alike.
• Successful applicants will be joining a diverse and cosmopolitan student population

The University and the City

• Maynooth is small university town located 20 Km west of Ireland’s capital city Dublin with a vibrant cultural and social life. About half our students choosing to live in Dublin and half in Maynooth, with an express train line providing easy access.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the Systems Biology Group of the Hamilton Institute at the National University of Ireland Maynooth, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.  The vacancy is in the area of time-series bio-image analysis. The advertised position is part of a Higher Education Authority (www.hea.ie) investment for a National Biophotonics Imaging Platform (NBIP) for Ireland (www.nbipireland.ie).

The successful candidate will work on a collaborative project between the Systems Biology groups at NUIM and RCSI (systemsbiology.ie and systemsbiology.rcsi.ie). This project focuses on the development of a novel automated monitoring system for live cell imaging (e.g., FRET, FRAP) based on real-time evaluation. The scope is to develop a robust real-time image analysis solution along with its associated development environment that will be capable of automatically segmenting and tracking cells online, detecting morphological changes (cell division/shrinkage, membrane blebbing, etc.) and generating time-series data.

The candidate should hold a PhD in Engineering/Computer Science or a related field, and have a sound scientific record in the area of biological image processing and analysis. Advanced knowledge of Matlab, good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills are required. In addition, the candidate should be a team player who is capable of working together with experimentalists and biologists.

A contract of 1 year duration will be offered to the successful candidate with salary in the band €40,000 to €43,000 per annum. Options for extension of contract may be offered in 2010. The start date is the 1^st February 2010.

The Hamilton Institute is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and a stimulating research environment. For further information on the Hamilton Institute, please refer to the following website: www.hamilton.ie

Further information on the project can be obtained from Dr. Dimitris Kalamatianos (dimitris.kalamatianos@nuim.ie).

To apply, candidates should submit a detailed CV, including a list of publications, motivation letter, a summary of recent projects, scientific interests and expertise, as well as the names and addresses of two referees for letters of recommendation to: hamilton@nuim.ie.

Closing date for applications: 15^th December 2009