From: Chris Taylor
Sent: 23 October 2006 09:24
To: 'allstaff@cs.man.ac.uk'; Carole Twining; Jim Graham; Neil Thacker; Susan Astley; Tim Cootes
Subject: CS_Newsletter_2006-10-23.doc

 

 

MANCHESTER

           1824

School of Computer Science

Weekly Newsletter

23 October 2006

Contents

News from HoS

This Week

School Events

External Events

Funding Opps

Prize & Award Opps

Research Awards

Staff News

Vacancies

 

Links

Newsletter Archive

School Strategy

School Intranet

School Seminars

ESNW Seminars

NaCTeM Seminars

 

News from Head of School

Staff Transferring from Informatics

Although we have had several events to welcome staff transferring to CS from the School of Informatics, I realise that we have never published a definitive list of those joining us.  They are as follows: Dr Sophia Ananiadou, Mr Bill Black, Dr Ke Chen, Dr Chris Harrison, Prof John Keane , Mr Jock McNaught, Dr Ludi Mikhailov, Dr Tim Morris, Dr Andrew Naftel, Dr Goran Nenadic, Dr Richard Neville, Dr Hong Qiao, Prof Allan Ramsay, Dr Sandra Sampaio, Dr Thierry Scheurer, Mr Christos Tjortjis, Prof Jun'ichi Tsujii, Dr Xiao-Jun Zeng, Dr Liping Zhao.  I met individually with most of our new colleagues on Friday, and now have a clearer picture of the research links they hope to develop with existing members of the School.  On the basis of this, John Gurd and I will come up with an ‘Aunt Sally’ configuration for research groups in the expanded School.

School Strategic Plan

Many thanks to all those who attended the School Board last week and contributed to the discussion on the (very) draft School Plan.   As you all know, the plan makes a real difference – it is the basis for setting our budget and also contains targets which we are committed to achieving.  I would encourage you all to look at the draft which was circulated last Wednesday and send substantive comments to me and Carmel as soon as possible.  I will be turning the ‘work in progress’ into a coherent document this week, and Carmel will be finalising our proposed budget for 2007/8.

Student Competitions

This is a good time to think about student competitions.  It is in the interests of the School to raise our profile by achieving as much success as possible in relevant national and international competitions, and the benefit to individual students of strengthening their CVs in this way are considerable.  I announced a few months ago that Toby Howard has agreed to be our ‘Competition Tsar’.  He emailed us all earlier in the week about the IBM Mainframe Contest which has been announced to students but which Toby was encouraging tutors and lecturers to follow up.  There is also the EPSRC ‘Should we stop Funding Computer Science Research?’ Computer Science Writing Competition, which is of potential interest to all staff and students.  Finally, now is a good time to encourage your best final year project students to think about setting their sights on the SET for Britain awards.  Toby and I plan to create a regular section in the newsletter to draw attention to further opportunities – there is also a competitions webpage.

Deadline for CS UG & PG Examination Papers                                                      

A final reminder that the deadline for submitting CS exam papers is Friday 27 October.   You should already have let Jennie know of any special requirements (times and dates, coinciding exams, on-line etc).

 

Events this Week                                                             top

Respecting Relevance in Belief Change                                                  25 Oct 06

Prof David Makinson. King's College London

1415, Lecture Theatre 1.5, Kilburn Building

More Information

The HPC European User Forum                                                       26 & 27 Oct 06

The HPC User Forum is an initiative developed by IDC to promote the interests of High Performance Computing users in industry, government and academia. Attendance is free but places must be reserved.

The Midland Hotel, Manchester

Registration & More Information

Regular Seminar Series

See links in contents bar for information on seminar series organised by the School of CS, E-Science North West and National Centre for Text Mining.

 

Future School Events                                                        top

Research Students' Symposium                                                             1-3 Nov 06

Each year the School holds a Research Students' Symposium, which features a collection of talks and posters by research students. 

More Information

Using Taverna for Research in Drug Discovery New                             2 Nov 06

Pierre Cart-GrandJean,ESNW

One of the major challenges in drug discovery is to identify potential drugs
through using virtual screening of the billions of possible structures that
could be synthesized. This presentation will demonstrate the use of Taverna
with commercial algorithms and our own customization to select the best
candidates for a given therapeutic target. The application of this approach
will give Chimatica a competitive advantage in the current market.

1230-1330, Atlas 1

Presidents Visit                                                                                              28 Feb 07

The President and Vice-Chancellor will be visiting the School.  Please make a diary not – more details nearer the time.

1400-1600

Mathematical and Statistical Aspects of Molecular Biology New  29-30 Mar 07

With participants from mathematics, statistics, computer science, bioinformatics, biology and related fields, the MASAMB meetings provide an intimate setting for exchange of ideas in methodological and applied research. Research students and scientists newly entering the field of genomic research are particularly welcome. To be considered for a talk or poster, authors should submit a one page abstract describing their research. This abstract will be used to select presentations and should provide an overview of the research objectives, methods and results.

More Information

 

Future External Events                                                      top

Exploring the interface between Maths and Bioscience                      2 Nov 06

Networking Workshop - The Manchester Interdisciplinary Biocentre (MIB) and the School of Mathematics have agreed to stage a workshop to consider potential opportunities for collaborations at the interface between mathematics and bioscience.  This is an opportunity to share ideas and develop future collaborations to address challenges at the interface between mathematics and bioscience. It is hoped that some of the ideas that emerge during the event can be developed into new research proposals. We strongly encourage researchers from any School working in either quantitative bioscience, mathematics or modelling to attend.  If you wish attend the workshop please email Dr Rachel Woolley before the 26th October.

Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition                     Applications 3 Nov 06

The Exhibition is the Society's most prestigious event of the year and according to a 2005 MORI poll is the best known science exhibition in the UK. The event attracts a great deal of media interest and is a fantastic opportunity for you to showcase your research to the public, post-16 and potential university students, scientists, policy makers, MPs, captains of industry, representatives from funding bodies and research councils, teachers  and the wider scientific community. It's a chance to really put your institution in the scientific spotlight.  Please contact Bernard Strutt if you are interested.

More Information

New Techniques in High Resolution Laser Spectroscopy                  8 Nov 06

Professor Wolfgang Demtroder (PSI Fellow 2006)

1430, Moseley Lecture Theatre, Schuster Building

More Information

Climate Warming / Climate Change                                                            9 Nov 06

Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government

1430-1530, Whitworth Hall.  Email Lesley Sisson for tickets.

Expanding Your Horizons                                                                            9 Nov 06

A one-day conference for fixed-term researchers with presentations by:

Professor Simon Gaskell, Vice President (Research)

Professor Nigel Vincent, Vice President (Graduate Education)

Dr Iain Cameron, RCUK and UKHerd Task Force Member.

Plus presentations and discussions with former fixed term researchers who have gone on to achieve excellence in academia and beyond. Places are strictly limited and can be reserved by contacting Susan Hogan.

0900 – 1600, Chancellors Conference Centre

More Information

Young Engineers Presentations – House of Commons                     17 Nov 06

The annual poster presentation for Young Engineers at the House of Commons, coorganised by SET for Britain, is an opportunity to bring the work of the School to a different and important audience, enhance your CV and, potentially, win a prize.  It is relevant to all PhD students and junior RAs in the School, and those who have attended in the past have thoroughly enjoyed the event.

More Information

IST 2006 Event Helsinki New                                                                 21-23 Nov 06

This year's edition of the most important European event in the field of Information Society Technologies will coincide with the launch of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development.

More Information

Grantsmanship Workshop                                                                         29 Nov 06

This popular one day course is aimed at both new staff and more established members of staff who have not had recent interactions with the EPSRC either as applicants, grant holders or referee/panel members.  To register your interest please email Louise Rogers

 

Funding Opportunities                                                       top

Research Council Follow-on-Funds                                                         27 Oct 06

There is a call for proposals to be submitted to BBSRC and NERC for ‘Follow-on-Funding’. This funding is designed to bridge the gap between academic and industrial research, specifically for commercialisation projects.  Proposals need to be submitted via UMIP and generally require significant input from UMIP on the commercial exploitation and potential.

More Information

ESF Research Networking Programmes                                                 30 Oct 06

Bringing together nationally funded research activities for four to five years, to address a major scientific issue or a science-driven topic of research infrastructure, at the European level with the aim of advancing the frontiers of science. 

More Information

Royal Society Research Grants                                                                  1 Nov 06

Seed corn funding for new projects. For research scientists at an early stage of their career or established scientists wishing to change the direction of their research. 

More Information

Royal Society University Research Fellowships 2007                          1 Nov 06

More Information

EPSRC 2007 Senior Research Fellowships                                             1 Nov 06

Applications are invited for the 2007 Senior Research Fellowships exercise.  Senior Research Fellowships are awarded to outstanding academic scientists and engineers of international repute with a minimum of 10 years post doctoral experience.  Fellows will be released from their current teaching and administration loads to devote themselves to research for the period of the award (up to 5 years). 

 More Information

AHRC-EPSRC-JISC e-Science Research Projects Scheme                2 Nov 06

EPSRC is a partner in this new e-Science Initiative. The aim of the scheme is to advance research in the Arts and Humanities through the use and development of e-Science technologies.  In addition to a total budget of £2 million, six four-year PhD project studentships are available either as part of an e-Science Research Grant or as a stand alone.

More Information

EPSRC 2007 Advanced Research Fellowships                                      9 Nov 06

Applications are invited for the 2007 Advanced Research Fellowships exercise.  Advanced Research Fellowships are awarded to outstanding researchers with 3 – 10 years of postdoctoral experience. More Information

Teaching & Learning (T&L) Innovation Funding                                  20 Nov 06

The third round of bids for Teaching and Learning Funding for Schools is now open. Please contact Pete Jinks (the School Learning Enhancement Officer) if you are interested.

More Information

BBSRC Systems Biology (SABR)                                                            27 Nov 06

Recently, the BBSRC announced a new Systems Biology call.  As Manchester already has a Systems Biology Centre (MCISB, see www.mcisb.org), we are in a very good position to apply for funding.  Dieter Weichart, on behalf of Prof. Doug Kell (Director of the MCISB), would like to take the initiative in coordinating potential SABR bid(s) from the University (but not bids to the related ESB initiative).  If you are interested in participating in a proposal please send a brief (few sentences) response to Dieter Weichart, cc to Douglas Kell outlining your proposed research.

More Information

International Research Mobility Scheme                                                30 Nov 06

Research opportunities from one week to six months in the US, China and mainland Europe for staff and postgraduate students.

More Information

IBM-UoM Partners Programme                                                                  30 Nov 06

Last year Kung-Kiu Lau became one of the first “University of Manchester-IBM Partners”. Academic staff are now invited to apply for the 2007/8 scheme.  It is important to the School that we grasp this opportunity to engage with the company, who have much to offer all our activities.

More Information

Royal Society Conference Grants                                                               1 Dec 06

The conference grants scheme supports UK based scientists to either present their own paper/poster or chair a session at an overseas conference, where conference participation is the main or sole purpose of visit. The objectives of this scheme are to enable scientists to disseminate research findings, establish collaborations and build international reputations.

More Information

Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership Awards                                   1 Dec 06

To support researchers confronted with the task of building a research team of sufficient scale to tackle an identified but distinctive research objective.  Each award will be at a level of up to £800,000 in total for up to five years of work. The intent is that the funds be used to provide each awardee with ten 'post-doctoral assistant years' and ten 'research student years' for the grant period, though other patterns would be permissible.

More Information

Toshiba Fellowhips                                                                                      15 Dec 06

Toshiba in association with the EPSRC invites applications from European scientists to join one of its high technology research teams in Japan.

More Information

EPSRC ICT Platform Grants                                                                               Open

EPSRC invites outline proposals for its information and communication technology platform grants. Platform grants aim to provide world-leading UK groups with continuity of funding for strategic development, longer-term research and international networking.

More Information

Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chairs                                        Open

The Royal Academy of Engineering invites applications for its research chairs. 
Research Chairs are full-time professorial appointments, in any engineering-related subject. The academy particularly welcomes proposals of a multidisciplinary nature. Funding is provided for 5 years.

More Information

RAEng Industrial Secondment Scheme                                                          Open

An opportunity for university lecturers in engineering to gain state-of-the-art industrial experience.

More Information

BBSRC International Scientific Interchange Scheme (ISIS)                       Open

To help scientists make and establish new contacts with their international counterparts.

More Information

RAEng Global Research Awards                                                                      Open

Projects in centres of excellence overseas focussing on stimulating wealth creation and improvements in the quality of life.

More Information

EPSRC Engineering Visits                                                                                  Open

Support for salary costs and travel subsistence for scientists and engineers of acknowledged standing, either from within the UK or abroad, to visit the investigator's organisation.

More Information

 

Prize and Award Opportunities                                          top

We have acknowledged the need to raise the profile of the School both nationally and internationally.  Nominating individuals for awards, and working actively with others to ensure that deserving individuals are nominated is one way of doing that.

ACM Turing Award                                                                                         31 Oct 06

ACM's most prestigious technical award is accompanied by a prize of $100,000. It is given to an individual selected for contributions of a technical nature made to the computing community. The contributions should be of lasting and major technical importance to the computer field. Financial support of the Turing Award is provided by the Intel Corporation.

More Information

ACM Grace Murray Hopper Award                                                             31 Oct 06

A prize of $15,000 awarded to the outstanding young computer professional of the year.

More Information

Computer Science Writing Competition 2006/07                                   31 Jan 07

We want unpublished articles of up to 750 words about research that’s part of any EPSRC-funded computer science project.  For this competition, computer science means the study of methods for acquiring, storing, processing, communicating and reasoning about information, and the role of interactivity in natural and artificial systems through the implementation, organisation and use of computer hardware, software and other resources.

More Information

 

Research Awards                                                               top

None this week

 

Staff News                                                                           top

Awards and Promotions

None this week

Academic Arrivals

None this week

Technical Arrivals

None this week

Academic Retirements

None this week

Research Arrivals

None this week

Research Departures

None this week

Administrative Arrivals

None this week

Administrative Departures

None this week

Sabbatical Leave

Alasdair Rawsthorne: 80% secondment to Transitive Technologies
Oct 06 – Sep 07.

Alvaro Fernandes: IBM Almaden Research Centre US
Jul 06 – Dec 06.

Milan Mihajlovic: University of Maryland, College Park

Jul 06 – Dec 06

 

Vacancies                                                                            top

Academic Staff

None

Research & Technical Staff

None

Management & Professional Staff

None

Administrative Staff

None