We are seeking applications from
talented and strongly motivated Software Engineering, Computer Scientist or
Engineering Graduates interested in studying for a Ph.D. studentship with
potential for high societal impact in the healthcare domain. The successful
candidate will work in a stimulating and exciting environment alongside
researchers in the inter-disciplinary Centre for Assistive Technology and
Connected Healthcare (CATCH) as well as researchers in the Speech and Hearing
Group (SPandH) in the Department of Computer Science.
The deadline for applications to be received is 16th August 2015.
The deadline for applications to be received is 16th August 2015.
Research Topic
The focus of the PhD research is: Spoken Language
Dialogue Systems in Assistive Technology
This project will focus on the implementation of a
spoken dialogue system for a smart-home environment with applications to
assistive technology. By providing an easy-to-use, natural language interface
in a domestic setting, older people and people with physical disabilities can
get support from an intelligent home environment as they go about their daily
life. This will help them live independently and could greatly improve quality
of life. The successful applicant will have access to CATCH’s state-of-the-art
HomeLab – a fully functioning living lab, which facilitates evaluation and
testing in a real-life environment. CATCH also has extensive contacts to
industry, the NHS and charitable organisation, providing access to a broad
range of experiences. The Speech and Hearing group (SPandH) in the Department of
Computer Science has a long-standing reputation in researching clinical
applications of speech technology and this project will build on world-leading
research into automatic recognition of disordered speech.
The project will be co-supervised by Prof Mark Hawley
(Director of CATCH and head of the Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology
Research Group, ScHARR) and Dr Heidi Christensen (lecturer in the Speech and
Hearing Group in the Department Computer Science (SPandH) and head of the Human
Communication Technology Group in CATCH). The School of Health and Related
Research (ScHARR) houses one of the largest concentrations of world leading
health services and public health researchers in the UK and came 4th in the UK
for the power of our health research in the latest Research Excellence
Framework. The Department of Computer Science, within the Faculty of
Engineering, was established in 1982 and currently there are over 100 members,
including 35 Academics. The department is famous for world-leading research with
global impact and came in the top five in the UK for research excellence in the
most recent Research Excellence Framework. Further information can be found at www.catch.org.uk, www.sheffield.ac.uk/dcs and www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr.
Scholarship details
The studentship will cover:
- The
standard UK/EU tuition fee for PhD study
- Annual
tax-free maintenance stipend at the standard UK Research Council rate
(currently £14,057 for the 2015/16 academic year)
The scholarship will fund up to three years full-time
study, subject to satisfactory progress.
The studentship is open to UK, EU and international
applicants. Overseas students may apply but would need to fund the fee
differential between the Home/EU fees rate and the higher Overseas tuition fees
rate from another source. Due to the demands of the project and the role, the
studentship is only available by full-time PhD study.
Eligibility
- Candidates
must have a 2.1 or above in Computer Science, or a closely related
subject, and have excellent programming skills.
- Some prior
experience of speech technology applications is highly desirable.
- Previous
exposure to healthcare research and assistive technology would be a
distinct advantage, as is other previous experience of carrying out
research.
Applications
To apply for the studentship, please send your
application to Mark Hawley (mark.hawley@sheffield.ac.uk).
Please include the following information in your
application;
- Your CV
- A Cover
letter detailing your suitability for PhD study and for the research topic
- Two
references, preferably with at least one academic reference discussing
your suitability for PhD study
- Details of
your academic qualifications and your English Language proficiency (such a
UK A levels, GCSEs, a degree from a UK Higher Education institution, or
English language qualifications such as the IELTS exam
The deadline for applications to be received is 16th
August 2015. Applications
received after this deadline will not be considered for the scholarship.
Questions and assistance with your application
Potential candidates are welcome to discuss their
application informally with Prof Mark Hawley (mark.hawley@sheffield.ac.uk) or
Dr Heidi Christensen (heidi.christensen@sheffield.ac.uk).
Please remember that the deadline for applications
to be submitted is Sunday 16th August 2015.
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