PhD Studentship in Artificial Immune System Algorithms for Speckled
Computing.
School of Computing, Napier University.
A fully funded three-year PhD studentship is available at the Centre for
Emergent Computing to investigate emergent algorithms for self-organising
networks of specks using Artificial Immune System technologies. Specks are
<5mm3 cubes of silicon which contain their own sensors, processor,
communications and power supply. Each speck has very limited power, memory
and processing capability, and so cooperative behaviour of specks is
necessary. Artificial Immune Systems are inspired by processes in the
natural immune system which can be viewed as allowing the body to maintain
homeostasis. This is achieved through the collaboration of many different
types of individual cells which together give rise to an emergent system
which is robust, distributed, self-organising and able to learn from
experience and adapt over time, despite having no central point of
control. Mass production of specks to form large self-organising networks
is being investigated by a consortium of five Scottish Universities funded
by a £1.3m "Speckled Computing" grant. The successful applicant will be
part of the Speckled Computing team and will study how artificial immune
system techniques might be employed in networks of specks.
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a First Class or Upper Second
Class Honours, or Masters, degree in Computer Science, or a related
subject. Experience in emergent computing will be seen as an advantage.
The studentship provides a standard living allowance (of £12,000 tax free
pa in 2005-06) and also covers full fees up to a level appropriate to
UK/EU applicants, for up to three years subject to satisfactory progress.
The studentship is expected to start as soon as possible.
Further details of research within the Centre can be found at
www.emergentcomputing.org. Details of the School can be found on the
School's website: www.soc.napier.ac.uk and more general details can be
found on the website of the University Research Office:
www.napier.ac.uk/depts/research/research_office.html An application form
can be found here by following the “Research Students" link.
Applicants are strongly advised to include as much detail as they can
about their research interests on additional sheets, including any ideas
they have about using Artificial Immune Systems for Speckled Computing.
Formal application should be sent to the address on the form: The Research
Office, Napier University, Merchiston Campus, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh,
EH10 5DJ. Please also include a filled in “Supplementary Personal
Information Form” and “Tuition Fee Classification Questionnaire”
(available on the web site)
Informal enquiries can be made by e-mail to Ben Paechter or Emma Hart
([log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]).
Deadline: 24th October 2005
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