Scholarship - Keck Institute for Space Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship for International Applicants, USA

Study Subject: Space Studies

Employer: W. M. Keck Institute for Space Studies

Level: Postdoctoral

Fellowship Description:The W. M. K eck Institute for Space Studies Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Keck Institute Fellowship) is an annual series of fellowship awards to promising young researchers of any nationality whose research can contribute to the development of new planetary, Earth, and astrophysics space mission concepts and technology.
The successful proposal will recognize the special nature of the Institute and its goals. This means the applicant should plan to participate in the Institute activities. Applicants should identify abilities or activities that are appropriate to the goals of the Institute and it will be to their advantage to indicate particular connections to activities/programs of the Institute.
However, consideration will also be given to exceptional applicants who bring in new ideas of their own.
The purpose of this fellowship is to enable recent PhD recipients to pursue research related to the development of new planetary, Earth, and astrophysics space mission concepts andtechnology.

Eligibility
Eligible applicants are those who have received, or will have earned a PhD (in any discipline related to the Institute’s goals and programs) on or after January 1, 2008. Also eligible are current PhD students who will have fulfilled all requirements to receive a PhD before the start of the funding period (typically the beginning of September). (Eligible applications must include a letter of endorsement from a Caltech/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) postdoc sponsor who is associated with the Institute.)

Fellowship Application Deadline: 24 November 2010

Further Fellowship Information and Application

EngD Studentship in Design

The Project
A new and exciting area of ground breaking research to Renishaw is in novel robotic control systems. Current robotic equipment requires bespoke controllers per machine, and thus specialised and complex input/output platforms with the associated learning and expertise, are required for control and manipulation of additional equipment such as measurement gauges. This situation has long been regarded as inadequate within industry and academia as ideas cannot evolve quickly enough through the technological limitations. The proposed research will aim to change this situation, by providing a step change in capability of robotic control systems, and this project therefore will investigate the potential for novel control systems, to deliver a low-cost fully flexible universal platform that will have end-user apparatus independence. Several key issues including software design, electronics interfaces, and user interaction will need to be resolved during the project by the RE.
These complex tasks will be assisted from Systems and ACCIS for the user perspective and Renishaw for the design and technology application. Combining both the expertise and the research together, it is anticipated that this project will deliver a successful prototype that can be taken forward to market. As such the work the RE undertakes will provide both direct input into planned product development at Renishaw, and also form the basis of future leveraged proposals to other funding bodies.

This collaborative project will enable the RE to work not only on a ground-breaking and exciting new field of research, but also in becoming part of a world-class and dynamic company that is successful in all areas that it targets.

Requirements on candidates:

Candidates should have a minimum of an upper second (2.1) class honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering, science or related discipline;

Ability to work with different stakeholders to understand their motivations and requirements.
Ability to express ideas clearly, both in writing and presentation.

The EngD researcher will spend approximately 75% of their time on the research project with an academic thesis to be produced at the end of the project. The remaining 25% is spent on individual courses covering systems and business-related topics, delivered as week long taught modules (over the first two years) and generally examined through coursework. The RE will be registered at University of Bristol as well as Renishaw.

Funding :

The EngD in Systems is an EPSRC funded full-time four year programme with company enhancements and no tuition fees for home students; offering the experience of rigorous cutting-edge research within a business context.

A tax-free EPSRC stipend (£15.090 for 2010/2011) is available for the successful candidate. Tuition fees will also be covered. Standard EPSRC studentship eligibility applies. Please check your eligibility before applying. Non-eligible individuals are welcome to apply, but must be able to find alternative funding
Study information

This is a professional doctorate

Funding information

Funding applies to:
EU applicants (including UK)

Contacts and how to apply

Academic contact:

For details on the research project, please contact Professor Kevin Potter K.Potter@bristol.ac.uk
Administrative contact and how to apply:

Miss Sarah Tauwhare, IDC Coordinator sarah.tauwhare@bristol.ac.uk

For information about how to apply and for further details visit http://www.bris.ac.uk/eng-systems-centre/