[Swarm-Modelling] PhD Position in Formal Modelling and Analysis of Ecosystems

[Paolo Milazzo]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Antonio Cerone <address@hidden>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:28:36 +0800
Subject: PhD Position in Formal Modelling and Analysis of Ecosystems
To: address@hidden

Call for Applications - PhD Position in
Formal Modelling and Analysis of Ecosystems

UNU-IIST, Macau SAR China (http://www.iist.unu.edu/)
Scholarship Code: PHD-ENV-1

*** Closing date for application is 31 May 2012 ***


The United Nations University - International Institute for Software
Technology (UNU-IIST), located in Macau, is accepting applications
for one position as PhD candidate to be involved in a high-profile
portfolio of projects in the area of Formal Modelling and Analysis
of Ecosystems within a collaboration between UNU-IIST and the
University of Pisa, Italy.


RESEARCH TOPIC

The PhD candidate will be directly involved in the development and
implementation of methodologies and tools for the testing and comparison
of different policies for environmental and health management, such as
policies for control or eradication of diseases and disease vectors,
translocation of living organisms from one area to another, rescue and
recovery of endangered species. The underlying research work for the
development of such methodologies will include the definition, and/or
extension of formal specification languages for systems biology and,
more specifically, for ecosystems, their use in the modelling, simulation
and analysis of population dynamics, and their implementation in tools for
simulation and analysis to be applied to real problems in the areas of
population/disease control and reintroduction biology.


SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates for the position should have
• a Master degree in Computer Science, ICT or Bioinformatics, or in a
  similar discipline;
• background and experience in probabilistic and stochastic modelling and
  experience in development and use of tools for the modelling, simulation
  and analysis of biological and/or ecological systems;
• strong programming ability;
• good English writing ability;
• ability to work both independently and in a team.

Background in statistics, biology and natural sciences, familiarity with
formal methods, and experience in using model-checking tools and in
developing tools for 2D and/or 3D visualisation are advantages.


STUDY AND SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS

The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the double degree PhD
programme in ICT for Sustainable Development of the United Nations
University and the University of Pisa, will work under the direction
and supervision of Dr. Antonio Cerone, UNU-IIST Research Fellow, and
will be also co-supervised by one of the leading members of the
Research Group on Modelling, Simulation and Verification of Biological
Systems at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Pisa.

The duration of the study and the scholarship is 42 months, of which at
least 6 months will be spent in Pisa.  Starting date is 3 September 2012.

Monthly stipend will be USD 1,000 during the stay in Macau and USD 1,500
during the stay in Pisa.  Health insurance is provided free of charge.
During the stay in Macau accommodation (except utility costs) is also
provided free of charge.


PHD DEGREE

Upon successful completion of the graduation requirements the PhD candidate
will be awarded a PhD in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and
will receive two distinct PhD diplomas from the United Nations 
University and
from the University of Pisa.


ADMISSION REQUIREMENT AND APPLICATION

* Applicants must have been awarded or should plan to be awarded the 
required
  Master degree no later than 31 July 2012.
* Applications should be sent via email to: address@hidden
* Details about the application procedure and the admission requirements 
are in the PhD General Call for Applications available at:
      http://iist.unu.edu/academic-programs/phd-program
* The Scholarship Code (PHD-ENV-1) should be indicated in the PhD 
Application Form.


CLOSING DATE

Closing date for application is 31 May 2012.



--
Antonio Cerone
United Nations University
UNU-IIST, Macau SAR China