PhD Studentship
Multilevel Search Methodologies for Problem Solving
Automated Scheduling Optimisation & Planning Research Group (ASAP), School of Computer Science
Applications are invited for a three year PhD Studentship in the School of Computer Science at The
University of Nottingham (see: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cs/). The successful student will join
the Automated Scheduling, OptimisAtion and Planning (ASAP) research group (see:
http://www.asap.cs.nott.ac.uk/) and will investigate systems to build systems in the context of
multilevel search.
Most of the existing decision support systems are developed based on expert knowledge and they are
custom made for a given problem solving environment. On the other hand, there is an emerging class
of intelligent methodologies that allow decision support systems to learn, adapt and improve their
behavior, and/or their structure automatically to accommodate complexities of real world problems.
These methodologies are applicable to different problem domains and aim to raise the level of
generality by choosing and/or generating new methodologies on demand during the search process. This
exciting research area lies at the interface between operational research and computer science and
involves understanding of decision making mechanisms and learning, design, implementation and
analysis of automated multilevel search methodologies. The application domains will be cross
disciplinary.
Students should have at least an upper second-class honours degree (ideally a first class degree),
or a combination of qualifications and/or experience equivalent to that level. Preferably, students
should have an undergraduate or Masters Degree in computer science, operational research,
mathematics or closely related area. Students with a mathematical background, if they have good
programming experience, are also encouraged to apply.
ASAP Research Group is one of four main research groups within the School of Computer Science at
Nottingham. The School received a Grade 5 in the last UK RAE ASAP has been carrying out innovative
research into the development and investigation of decision support, search methodologies and
machine learning for a wide and diverse range of real world problem environments for the last
decade. The group comprises 12 members of academic staff, 19 researchers, 48 PhD students and three
administrators. The available studentship is associated with the Science and Innovation award for
"The LANCS Initiative" (see: http://www.lancs-initiative.ac.uk/), particularly with the systems to
build systems research cluster. The successful student will have the opportunity to interact with
the leading scientists in the field.
This studentship is available from October 2009 and provides tuition fees up to the UK/EU level and
a tax-free stipend of around £12,600 per annum (due to funding restrictions).
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr E Ozcan, see: http://www.cs.nott.ac.uk/~exo/ or Email:
[log in to unmask] Please note that applications sent direct to this Email address will not be
accepted.
Applications (preferably by Email), with a letter of application and a detailed CV (including
expected or actual degree class), together with the names and contact details of two referees and a
research statement, should be sent to Mr N Poxon, ASAP Research Group, School of Computer Science,
The University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham, NG8 1BB. Email:
[log in to unmask] Please quote ref. SCI/711. Closing date: Open until filled.
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