Applications are being invited for student research positions at the new Rural Digital Economy Research Hub based at the University of Aberdeen.
Eight funded studentships are currently being offered at the centre, which will investigate how advances in digital technologies can transform rural communities, society and business.
The University was awarded £12.4 million of funding over five years by the Research Councils UK's (RCUK) Digital Economy Programme, led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), to create the facility which will commence research activity in October 2009.
A total of sixty new research positions will be created by the centre which is based at the University's King's College Campus in Aberdeen.
The Aberdeen Rural Digital Economy Research Hubis one of three such centres in the UK focusing on the development of digital technologies for the future. It is the only centre to be based in Scotland.
The studentships will provide funding to allow outstanding applicants to commence a PhD programme focusing on the Aberdeen Rural Digital Economy Research Hub's four main research themes - accessibility and mobilities; healthcare; enterprise and culture, and natural resource conservation.
Those selected will benefit from a fully-funded PhD programme and supervision from international leaders across a range of research areas within a dedicated environment on the King's College campus. The programme will bring together research staff and students to address the challenges of the Digital Economy.
Dr Peter Edwards from the University of Aberdeen's School of Natural and Computing Sciences, who is Technical Director of the Rural Digital Economy Research Hub, said: "The Hub draws together the institution's research strengths in areas including computer science, transport, healthcare and sociology.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity for students to work in a stimulating, multidisciplinary research environment. They will be working with research staff and students from across the University to address the challenge of developing new software and services which could dramatically enhance rural communities, society and business."
Applications for the studentships are being invited from students with academic backgrounds in computer science; engineering; human geography; sociology; business; social science and the arts.
Those wishing to apply should contact the Graduate School Admissions Unit. Tel: 01224 273028 or E-mail: href="mailto:cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk">cpsgrad@abdn.ac.uk</a></p>
The deadline for application is Friday 14 August.