The Project
Object-oriented programs at run-time consist of objects – small software components that are created, changed, and destroyed as the program runs. The uncontrolled ability of objects to change other objects is well known to result in many errors in large systems.

Immutability – an ability to prevent changes to objects – is a mechanism that could be used to provide such control. While immutability controls whether an object can be changed, it is not enough: we need to be able to also control which objects can perform the changes.

Ownership – an ability to control which objects can access a given object – is a mechanism that can be used to control which objects are allowed to perform the changes. Immutability benefits greatly from ownership that prevents unauthorised objects from accessing and changing the object.

Immutability and ownership evolved separately: while some proposed languages attempt to support both, they treat them as independent concepts.

We propose to treat them as facets of a more general unified concept. This work aims to advance the science of programming by providing a unified treatment of immutability and ownership, simplifying both the theory and practice of object-oriented programming.

The Student
This project requires a strong mathematical logic or formal methods in Computer Science background.

Closing date: 1 May 2009

Contact
Dr Alex Potanin
alex[a-t]mcs.vuw.ac.nz
http://homepages.mcs.vuw.ac.nz/~alex/

• [New Zealand] Call for Papers International Business Conference
• [New Zealand] PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology – University of Otago
• [New Zealand] Victoria Masters by Thesis Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington
• [New Zealand] International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships (NZIUFS)
• [New Zealand] Postdoc Positions at The Centre for Atmospheric Research University of Canterbury

A fully funded PhD position is available in the Software Engineering Research Lab at Auckland University of Technology and applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates.

The scholarship is tenable for up to four years to support work in the area of stochastic and fuzzy modelling in the management of software development projects.

Successful candidates will have an Honours (or more likely a Masters) degree in Computer Science or similar technical discipline. They will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the software development lifecycle and have an interest in software project management. Strong development skills, preferably in Java or C++, will be required.

Applications are invited from potential international students as well as New Zealand citizens, Permanent Residents and Australian citizens. Applicants with interests in the areas of Software Product and Process Improvement, Optimisation Algorithms, Requirements Engineering or Visualisation are also invited to apply. Closing date for applications is 26 January 2008.

Interested applicants should in the first instance send a CV and covering letter to:

Dr Andy Connor (D-75)
School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
Auckland University of Technology
Private Bag 92006
Auckland 1142
New Zealand
Email: serl[ at ]aut.ac.nz

Closing date: 26 January 2008.

• [Australia] PhD Scholarships in Stochastic Modelling of Wildlife Populations, The University of Queensland
• [UK] Lord Kelvin/Adam Smith PhD Scholarship in Stochastic Process Algebra Modelling, University of Glasgow
• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarhip in Benchmarking the Resilience of Organisations
• [New Zealand] Call for Papers International Business Conference
• [New Zealand] International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships (NZIUFS)

For more information on these scholarships, and to download an application form, go to this page.

More information on PhD study in the Department of Economics at Otago can be found at this link. For any additional queries regarding PhD study in the Department of Economics email Dr Stephen Knowles (sknowles[ at ]business.otago.ac.nz).

Note that the application form should be returned by post or courier to the University’s Scholarships Office at the address given on the application form, not to the Department of Economics.

Deadline: 1 November 2007

• [New Zealand] PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology – University of Otago
• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarhip in Growth Dynamics and Management of Braided Alluvial River Deltas in New Zealand
• [New Zealand] International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships (NZIUFS)
• [Italy] PhD Scholarships in Business and Economics, University of Venice
• [Germany] PhD Scholarships in Economics, The Ruhr Graduate School in Economics

The University of Canterbury, through the Natural Resources Engineering group in the Department of Civil Engineering, the Department of Geological Sciences, and the Otago Regional Council are looking for an enthusiastic research student to develop an understanding of the growth, dynamics and management of braided alluvial river deltas. New Zealand and particularly parts of Otago have alluvial river systems that are generally well supplied with transportable sediments. The sediment supply is usually strongly related to recent human occupation of the steep, geologically active, upland catchments.

The successful researcher will work with other researchers to

1. conduct field studies in the Shotover River, Clutha River/Mata-Au delta, and the Rees and Dart river deltas
2. create a laboratory based physical model to simulate sediment transport within rivers and their deltas
3. develop and apply appropriate numerical models to understand short and long term impacts of natural processes, landuse change and sediment dynamics in the river deltas.

Applicants:
The potential candidate should have a strong interest and a suitable background in sediment transport, numerical modelling, physical modelling, and geomorphology. Field work experience and GIS capabilities would be an advantage. Good organisation and communication skills are important.

Further Information
The position is scheduled to start no later than July of 2007. To submit an application, please send letter of interest, CV, and academic transcripts to Tom Cochrane.

Closing date: 15 February 2007

• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarhip in Benchmarking the Resilience of Organisations
• [New Zealand] PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology – University of Otago
• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarship in Stochastic and Fuzzy Modelling, Auckland University of Technology
• [New Zealand] Postdoc Positions at The Centre for Atmospheric Research University of Canterbury
• [New Zealand] Call for Papers International Business Conference

Resilient Organisations is a 6 year research programme funded by the Foundation of Research Science and Technology in New Zealand. The programme runs through until June 2010, and involves researchers from the University of Canterbury, University of Auckland and Kestrel Group. The Resilient Organisations programme focuses on understanding how resilient New Zealand organisations are in the face of major crises. This resilience is a function of the situation awareness, keystone vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity and of the organisation.

Within the research programme we have already had a PhD student working to define organisational resilience and to develop and test a 5-step process for improving organisational resilience. The research has a very practical and ‘real world’ focus, with the student working closely with ten case study organisations to identify and diagnose core resilience issues for these organisations. We now want to take this research to the next stage, to develop ways of quantifying and benchmarking resilience across different organisations and sectors. The student awarded this scholarship will be working with a team of researchers, including six other postgraduate students working on related projects.

Selection criteria
The ideal candidate will have very strong interpersonal and communication skills, and have an appreciation of business realities. Previous experience in any of the areas of risk management, business continuity planning, emergency management, strategic planning, or benchmarking initiatives would be helpful.

Application process
Please send a CV plus a one page description of your understanding of organisational resilience and what skills you would bring to this project. Please send all applications (CV plus one page description) to Erica Seville (erica.seville@canterbury.ac.nz).

Further Information
We are happy to discuss this research in more detail with potential candidates. First please take a look at the information provided on our research website: www.resorgs.org.nz. If you have any further questions please email Erica Seville (erica.seville@canterbury.ac.nz) to arrange a time to talk by telephone.

Closing date: 31 January 2007
Value: NZ$20,000 per annum over three years

• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarhip in Growth Dynamics and Management of Braided Alluvial River Deltas in New Zealand
• [New Zealand] PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology – University of Otago
• [New Zealand] Postdoc Positions at The Centre for Atmospheric Research University of Canterbury
• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarship in Stochastic and Fuzzy Modelling, Auckland University of Technology
• [USA] Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular and Cellular Signaling

Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD studentship to study the role of mobile genetic elements in the spread of virulence factors within bacterial populations. The phytopathogen Erwinia carotovora will be used as a model system to investigate the molecular basis for mobility of the pathogenicity island HAI2, which encodes coronafacic acid (cfa). Cfa is a virulence factor involved in the development of blackleg disease in potato.

The PhD studentship will be based in the Plant Pathology and Microbiology Group at the New Zealand Institute of Crop & Food Research, Lincoln, New Zealand as part of a Royal Society of New Zealand-funded Marsden grant. The studentship will commence in March 2007 (some flexibility), and includes a NZ$24,500 per annum tax-free stipend and course fees for 3 years at Otago University.
This project is a collaboration between Otago University (www.otago.ac.nz), New Zealand Institute of Crop & Food Research (www.crop.cri.nz), and the University of the West of England, United Kingdom (www.uwe.ac.uk). For more information about the project and how to apply please refer to the New Zealand Institute of Crop & Food Research website at www.crop.cri.nz or contact either Dr Andrew Pitman at the New Zealand Institute of Crop & Food Research (pitmana@crop.cri.nz) or Professor Clive Ronson at Otago University (Clive.Ronson@stonebow.otago.ac.nz). Candidates should have or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class honours degree and have a background in molecular biology/bacteriology/genetics.

Applications close: 18 December 2006
The Institute is an equal opportunity employer.

• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarships in Economics, University of Otago
• [New Zealand] PhD Scholarhip in Growth Dynamics and Management of Braided Alluvial River Deltas in New Zealand
• [Netherlands] PhD Studentship in Molecular Biology and Genetics – Erasmus University Medical Centre
• [UK] PhD Studentship in Enzyme Technology at Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University
• [New Zealand] International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships (NZIUFS)

Purpose of award

To encourage research at Masters level at Victoria university. Only those students enrolled solely for a 120 point thesis are eligible to apply

Selection criteria
Only those students enrolled solely for a 120 point thesis are eligible to apply. In some cases this will be Part 2 of a two-year Master’s degree and will usually have the course code 591. Students who are enrolled in Master’s degree programmes that have thesis or research components of less than 120 points, or who elect not to enroll for the solely by thesis option, but instead enroll in taught courses, internships, performance, portfolio, practicum, or other programme options, are eligible to apply for the Victoria Graduate Scholarships.

Number of awards offered: 25
Value: $15,000 Domestic Fees

Tenure of award: One year

Closing dates for applications
Wednesday 01 November 2006
Thursday 01 November 2007

How do students apply?
Applications for these scholarships must be made on the forms obtainable from the top of this page or from the Scholarships Office. Scholarship applicants must contact directly the School in which they wish to enrol so that their research proposal and the feasibility of supervision can be assessed. Enrolling as a Masters student and applying for a Victoria Master Scholarships are two separate processes. The holding of Victoria Masters Scholarship is conditional upon the scholarship recipient gaining enrolment as a Masters student.

Applicants, other than those who have completed all of their study at Victoria, must include a certified copy of their academic record from other institutions with this application. Applicants whose degree has been conferred at any university other than a New Zealand University will be considered in two categories:
Category 1 – applicants from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Germany or Australia must supply an original or certified copy of their university transcript.
Category 2 – applicants from any other country must have their transcript verified and assessed with a course by course evaluation by one of the below educational evaluators:
Educational Credential Evaluators
National Recognition Information Centre [UK]

Decision makers
Scholarships shall be awarded solely on the basis of academic merit by the University Scholarships Committee, a sub-committee of the University Research Committee.

How and when do students learn of the decision?
All offers for Victoria Masters Scholarships will be made in late December of the year of application. Some applicants may be placed on a reserve list and will not be finally notified of the success or otherwise of their applications until as late as the end of February of the following year. If you are unsuccessful you may be notified by email only. Please provide a clearly written email address if available.

What conditions are attached to acceptance of this award? Once the period of tenure of a scholarship has commenced, the University Scholarships Committee may, at its sole discretion, grant a scholarship recipient a deferment of their scholarship for a period of up-to six months. In most cases such a deferment will coincide with a formal suspension from their enrolment in the Masters degree.

A scholarship shall be terminated and the corresponding proportion of the scholarship emolument forfeited, if a scholarship recipient ceases to resume the aforesaid programme of research or advanced study within one month of the last day of the period of deferment.

Scholarship recipients shall be required to devote themselves full-time to their programme of research during the tenure of the scholarship and may not hold a position of emolument without the approval of the University Scholarships Committee. Approval may be given for scholarship recipients to undertake paid employment (usually tutoring) for up to a maximum of 600 hours in one calendar year.

Each scholarship recipient and his/her principal supervisor shall provide a progress report to the Scholarships Office six months after the commencement of the scholarship. Where progress is not satisfactory, the matter will be referred to the University Scholarships Committee.

The University Scholarships Committee may at any time suspend or terminate a scholarship, or require the forfeiture of such proportion of the scholarship emolument as it may determine, if the scholarship recipient is not diligently pursuing their programme of research, has violated the University Statute on Conduct, or has failed to comply with any of the terms and conditions on which the scholarship was awarded.

Additional information
Approval for the co-tenure of a Victoria Masters Scholarship with other awards that total more than $6,000 must be sought from the University Scholarships Committee. The co-tenure of other awards may result in a reduction in the value of the Victoria Masters Scholarship stipend.

Who else has information about this award?
Scholarships Office, 10 Kelburn Parade
Victoria University of Wellington
P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand
Email: scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz

For guidelines, application forms and more information about this award contact:

The Scholarships Officer
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington , Wellington

Phone: (04) 463 5113
Fax:
E-mail: scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz

Application form available here. Full regulations can be downloaded here.
Website: Vitoria Master by Thesis Scholarships.

• [New Zealand] Call for Papers International Business Conference
• [Canada] Postdoctoral Position in Retinal and Early Eye Development, University of Victoria
• [Australia] International Postgraduate Research Scholarship , Swinburn University of Technology
• [New Zealand] International Undergraduate Fees Scholarships (NZIUFS)
• [Australia] PhD Scholarship in Applied Mathematics, Monash University