Nevertheless, our experience regarding the use of the E model in end-point voice quality assessing probes has demonstrated some substantial drawbacks of the model. According to several published tests, the model judges too severely the degradations due to packet loss, jitter and delay, and therefore underpredicts quality. On the other hand, the information about packet loss, jitter and delay is often the only available in an end-point. Therefore, in the first place it is important to construct a new model which will evaluate better the influence of these three factors on quality. However, if time allows we do not exclude the possibility of including other parameters, such as noise or echo.

The most important part of the study will concern the study of the influence of packet loss on voice quality for the purposes of real-time measurement. The impact of certain parameters such as delay or noise has already been studied by France Telecom and elsewhere. It is only required to integrate them into one unique quality evaluation model. We would also like, that the model took into account dynamic phenomena such as recency effect. At the end, the model should evaluate quality score in narrow band (300-3400 Hz) as well as wide band (50-7000 Hz) on a single, mixed, quality scale.

In order to construct the model the creation of new subjective databases will be necessary. Some work can be based on objective tests (PESQ), using the test chain which has been developed in our team.

A validation of the performance of the model (formally at the end of the development, but also probably on intermediate versions) is necessary. In particular, the use of the method described in ITU-T P.564 will be deeply appreciated.

Applicant profile (not all are required)

• C and Matlab programming
• Data analysis, statistical methods
• Mathematics
• Understanding of human perception and judgment, especially of psychophysics
• QoS, voice quality
• VoIP comprehension (in particular of voice flows: protocols, codecs, jitter buffer, aspects related to packet loss, jitter and delay)
• IP comprehension
• Experience in neural networks is considered as an optional plus

contact
Please send applications to:
Anna CZUCZMAN
France Telecom – Division R&D
TECH/SSTP – Lannion
anna.czuczman [a-t] orange-ftgroup.com
(+33) 2 96 05 22 90

• [France] Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Model Driven Engineering (MDE) at INRIA Renne
• [France] Postdoctoral Fellow in Laser Processing of Transparent Materials, Université Jean Monnet
• [UK-France] PhD Studentships in Animal Genetics
• [Netherlands] PhD Studentship in New Generation of Solar Cells at Radboud/Delft Univ. of Tech
• [Ireland] PhD Positions in Geoinformatics and Climate Change

SystemsX.ch, the Swiss initiative in systems biology, has initiated a new project entitled “Neurochoice: Neural Correlates of Collective Decision Making”, with principal investigators located at the Universi-ties of Zurich, Bern, and Geneva, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. One part of the project, focusing on fMRI studies of the role of risk during human decision-making, will be completed under the direction of Prof. Ernst Fehr and Kerstin Preuschoff at the Institute for Empirical Research in Economics in Zurich. We are presently seeking applicants for the positions of post-doctoral researcher and PhD student.

These positions require a background in neurobiology, economics, psychology or computer science, and an interest in neuroeconomics and/or mathematical modeling of behavioral and neuroimaging data. Previous experience in neuroimaging techniques and fMRI data analysis is a major advantage. Candidates should have an interest in designing and conducting experiments in neuroeconomics and social neuroscience. Finally, candidates should have programming experience, e.g. in MATLAB or similar languages.

Employment can begin immediately but is negotiable. The Institute for Empirical Research in Economics offers an exciting and interdisciplinary work environment and excellent research facilities, including a 3T MRI scanner dedicated to research and a large and well-equipped laboratory for conducting behavioral experiments.

Application may be made electronically or by post. Please submit your CV, copies of all relevant diplomas, a statement of interest, and the names and email addresses of two referees to the following address by December 14, 2008: Sally Gschwend, Institute for Empirical Research in Economics, Blümlisalpstr. 10, 8006 Zürich , Switzerland, s.gschwend[ at ]iew.uzh.ch

The University of Zurich is an equal opportunity employer, and as such welcomes applications from women and minority candidates.

• [Switzerland] Doctoral Assistantship in Applied Microeconomics and Econometrics at ETH Zurich
• [Switzerland] Doctoral Students and Researchers in Economics, KOF Swiss Economic Institute
• [Switzerland] Postdoctoral Position in Ribosome Biochemistry, University of Zurich
• [Switzerland] International PhD Programs in Life Sciences – University of Zurich
• [Switzerland] PhD Studentship: Center for Comparative and International Studies (CIS) Zurich

Opportunity for Post Doctoral Fellow in Ocean and Coupled Modelling and Data Assimilation Dalhousie University is searching for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Global Ocean-Atmosphere Prediction and Predictability (GOAPP) Network funded by the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences. The overall goal of the network is to improve forecasts of the ocean and atmosphere on time-scales of days to decades, and space scales of tens of km (e.g., ocean eddies) to global. For more details on GOAPP see www.goapp.ca.

The successful candidate will collaborate with researchers at Dalhousie University and other universities in the network, and with scientists from Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, on pre-operational, data assimilative modeling of the North Atlantic and the coupled atmosphere-ocean system.

Overall duties include the implementation, operation and evaluation of existing data assimilation and model codes. The specific duties include:

• Optimization of the codes for operational use.
• Definition of the metrics to be used in the evaluation of the forecast systems.
• Generation of products to be placed on the GOAPP webpage.
• Coordination of activities with government partners and the transfer of GOAPP research to operations.
• Presentation of progress at meetings including the annual GOAPP Workshop.

The successful applicants will have a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science, Physical Oceanography or related discipline. Experience in running and developing state-of-the-art ocean and/or atmosphere models is required. Knowledge of data assimilation is desirable.

The appointment can start as early as September 1, 2008 and the position will terminate at the end of August 2010. The annual salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. Dalhousie University is an Employment Equity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons and women. The competition will remain open until suitable candidates are found.

Applicants should send a statement of interest, curriculum vitae including a list of publications, and the names and addresses of three references to:

Ms. Susan Woodbury, ACM, FCMOS
GOAPP Network Manager
Dalhousie University, Department of Oceanography
Room 5660A LSC
1355 Oxford Street
Halifax, NS B3H 4J1 Canada
www.goapp.ca
Email: swoodbury[a-t]dal.ca Submission by e-mail is encouraged.
Fax: (902) 494-2885

• [Canada] Opportunities for Post Doctoral Fellows and Research Associates in Atmosphere and/or Ocean Modelling
• [Canada] Post Doctoral Position in Ocean Data Assimilation
• [Canada] Postdoc-RA in Sea Breeze and Fog Modelling at Dalhousie University
• [Canada] Postdoctoral Fellow in Developmental Child Psychology, Université Laval
• [Canada] Postdoctoral Fellow in Microfluidic Devices, Universify of Ottawa

The ICEF (http://www.dse.unive.it/en/centers-partners/icef/) conducts international research in the fields of Finance, Economics and Financial Econometrics. It also provides academic courses in these areas and organize the International Master in Economics and Finance.

The ICEF currently has the following vacancy: Postdoctoral fellow, full time for 24 months, for the project ‘Hedge funds: tail event behaviour and absolute alphas’.

Recent literature evaluating hedge funds performance asserts that there seems to be a talent in the hedge fund industry. One of the main problems in the research on the hedge funds extra-performance is the need to take into account the well known non-normality on returns and the non linear dependence from standard asset benchmarks due to the use of derivatives and dynamic trading strategies. How this affects the performance measurement is one of the central issues in this project. The focus is on the integration of dynamic models for risk measurement and hedge funds replication strategies. This project will allow a junior researcher to develop studies on a new area of finance: the alternative investments and specifically the hedge fund industry.

This is a project co-financed by the University Ca’ Foscari of Venice (www.unive.it) and GRETA (Venice, http://www.greta.it/en/index.htm).

The ideal candidate should hold a PhD in Finance (or be very close to finishing its PhD). A strong research potential in Finance are required.

The candidate is expected to conduct high-quality empirical research and to interact with other faculty members. Good writing and computing skills are essential. Fluency in English is required. The position is free of administrative duties and teaching obligations. If a small teaching load is desired, this can be accommodated and rewarded. It is an untenured post-doctoral position with duration of two years. Tentative beginning of appointment September 2008. An extension of the term is not excluded.

Salary (before taxes and pension contributions): Approx. 45.000 Euro (approx. 70,000 USD) for the entire duration of the program. The salary is exempt to taxation.

Further information on the profile of the position may be obtained from Prof. Dr. Monica Billio at billio[a-t ]unive.it

Applications including the application form (see below), curriculum vitae, scientific publications, 2 referees names and addresses being able to provide reference letters, in English or in Italian, and a copy of a valid Identity Document or Passport have to be sent to:

Head of the Department of Economics
University of Ca’ Foscari of Venice
Cannareggio 873
30121 VENEZIA – Italy

Applications have to be received by 21 June 2008.

• [Italy] PhD Scholarships in Business and Economics, University of Venice
• [Italy] Partial Scholarships in Economics and Finance, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
• [Italy] Scholarships for PhD in Economics and Organizations, University of Venice
• [Switzerland] Teaching & Research Assistant / Ph.D. position in Accounting & Finance – University of Lugano
• [Italy] Funded Doctoral Programme in Economics and Management, The University of Trento

The successful candidate should have received a PhD within the last five years in geosciences or a related field. Fellowships are initially limited to a term of two years and will start in fall or winter 2008. After a successful evaluation a prolongation by one year is possible. Salary and benefits are linked to the German employee scale 13 TVL. International candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Applications should include a CV, a list of publications, a research proposal describing research interests, contact information for 3 referees and completed application form (available from www.marum.de/Jobs.html). MARUM Fellows are expected to develop their own research program within the scientific framework provided by MARUM; proposals targeting research between boundaries of individual research groups at MARUM are encouraged. MARUM Fellows will be integrated in a stimulating and supportive environment that provides ideal conditions for scientific growth.

As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply.

In case of equal personal aptitudes and qualification priority will be given to disabled persons.

Applications and inquiries should be directed to Achim Kopf electronically (akopf[a-t]uni-bremen.de) under the reference number A 66/08.Deadline for applications is June 10, 2008.

• [Germany] PhD Studentships at the Graduate School of Social Sciences (GSSS), University of Bremen
• [Germany] PhD Grants at International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics, Universität Bremen
• [Germany] PhD Studentships at The Graduate School of Social Sciences (GSSS), The University of Bremen
• [Canada] Post Doctoral Position in Ocean Data Assimilation
• [Germany] The International Max Planck Research School on Earth System Modelling

1. Hands-on training in the emerging and exciting area of systems biology, focusing on virus-host interactions,
2. Experience in how to integrate research, teaching and learning (see www.delta.wisc.edu) — skills that are highly valued by academic employers and funding agencies,
3. Guidance by a mentor who has a strong record of placing students and post-docs in stimulating academic (Caltech, Duke, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Tufts, UConn-Storrs, UC-Berkeley), government, and industry positions,
4. Opportunities for personal growth at a world-class university, located in safe, attractive and affordable city surrounded by beautiful lakes.

We are advancing new technologies to better understand the growth, spread and evolution of viruses. Active NIH-supported projects are in three areas: (1) flow-enhanced spread and characterization of infections in microfluidic devices, (2) phenotype distributions from measurements and models of infections initiated by single virus particles, (3) dynamics of virus populations in anti-viral environments. Systems of current interest are influenza virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. The most competitive applicants will be exceptionally creative, highly-motivated individuals with experience in:Quantitative biology: methods to detect and/or quantify nucleic acids, proteins, viruses, virus-like particles, activation of innate immunity. Experience in microscopy, construction or characterization of live-cell reporters of gene expression, quantitative imaging and image analysis would be especially valuable

or

Engineering or physical sciences: modeling or simulation of reactive systems, fluid and particle dynamics, or microfluidics, with emphasis on the development of data-driven mechanistic models. Experience in parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis and model-discrimination would be especially valuable.

Madison, Wisconsin is routinely ranks at the top of national surveys of ‘best places to live,’ and post-docs here thrive on a rich diversity of outdoor and cultural opportunities. Forward your CV with cover letter, and have three letters of reference sent to John Yin by e-mail (yin[ at ]engr.wisc.edu), fax (608/262-5434) or regular mail: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706-1607 USA.

• [USA] Postdoctoral Position in Signal Transduction and Transcription, UT Southwestern Medical Center
• [USA] Postdoctoral Position in Molecular Biology and Mouse Genetics
• [USA] Postdoctoral Position in Bionanotechnology, University of Oklahoma
• [USA] Postdoctoral Fellowship in Immunology at Stanford University Medical Center
• [USA] Postdoctoral Fellow in Low Temperature Physics, Harvard University

UNU-IAS is a multi-thematic, interdisciplinary, research and training centre located in Yokohama, Japan. The Institute’s fellowship programmes provide young scientists, policy makers, and developing country scholars with the opportunity to expand their intellectual vision beyond a single scientific field.

UNU-IAS PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered for a period of 10 months beginning in October 2008. JSPS-UNU Postdoctoral Fellowships are offered for 12-24 months beginning in November 2008.

Postdoctoral candidates must have completed a PhD degree, and PhD candidates must be at the advanced stage of their doctoral dissertation. Candidates’ current research must be closely related to one of the thematic areas of the Institute.

The closing date for applications is 25 April 2008.

Please see website for further details.

• [Japan] The Matsumae International Foundation Fellowships 2008
• [USA] Call for Applications Watson International Scholars of the Environment
• [Japan] Postdoctoral Research Fellows in Cell Biology, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
• [Worldwide] Fellowships of the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)
• [USA] Postdoctoral Fellowships in Life Sciences, The Department of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College