MANCHESTER

           1824

School of Computer Science

Weekly Newsletter

10 October 2011

Contents

News from HoS

This Week

School Events

External Events

Funding Opps

Prize & Award Opps

Research Awards

Staff News

Vacancies

 

Links

News Submissions

Newsletter Archive

School Strategy

School Intranet

School Seminars

ESNW Seminars

NaCTeM Seminars

 

News from Head of School

Student Numbers Position                                                                                           

The picture is becoming clearer on our admissions position, although the deadline for completing registration is at the end of November.  The following table shows current predictions on admissions: 

 

 

Target

Predicted Total

UG Home

190

192

UG Overseas

42

55

PGT Home

57

54

PGT Overseas

119

85

PGR Home

28

30

PGR Overseas

20

17

 

As such, we are broadly on target, except for:

 

  • UG Overseas: over target by around 10.
  • PGT Overseas: under target by around 35.

 

In terms of total headcounts (across all programmes and all years), where there are a number of uncertainties, things seem to be slightly better with a total headcount shortfall predicted to be less than 20.  The main concern, then, is PGT overseas – this was always known to be a volatile market, but we have seen significant drops in applications and accepts from several countries, and need to try to understand what caused the marked drop in numbers.

 

In terms of the budget, there have been several savings in staff costs (see the next article for one example), which mean that we can probably absorb the shortfall from student numbers without substantial cuts to non-pay budgets, but we need to exhibit restraint in expenditure until the final position becomes clearer.

 

Nano Engineering/Computer Engineering Lectureship

We interviewed two candidates last week for the Nano Engineering / Computer Engineering lectureship, but decided not to make any offers. This is unfortunately the second unsuccessful attempt to appoint to this post. We expect to try again in the new year, and will seek to include the opportunity to appoint at Senior Lecturer level to widen the field.

Careers and Industry Placement Fair - Tuesday October 11th

The School's annual Careers and Industry Placement Fair is taking place this Tuesday (October 11th) between 1pm and 4pm on the lower first. The Fair is being attended by 19 companies in total. A full list of attendees is available here: http://www.cs.manchester.ac.uk/business/careersfair/ The fair is likely to be of most interest to penultimate and final year undergraduate students and postgrads. If you can help us get word out, perhaps by mentioning in to tutor groups, it would be much appreciated.

 

Events

LMS Computer Science Colloquium                                                   11 Oct 11

leaflet

The aims of the meeting are to showcase state of the art scientific computing applications, to identify some of the challenges posed by next generation high performance machines and indicate promising approaches to tackling the problem. Tuesday 11 October, 10.30. 16.30 De Morgan House, 57-58 Russell Square, London, WC1B 4HS. (Nearest tube: Russell Square)

 CS Away Day                                                                                          4 Nov 11

I am planning an away day for all academic staff and a number of PSS staff in CS on 4th November 2011. This is the last day of Reading Week and the day after the CS Research Symposium. It is likely to run from mid/late morning until the end of the afternoon and it will not be held very far away. We will be discussing a range of important topics that relate to the future of the School, and the outcome of the day will feed directly into the next School plan. I will provide further details as soon as possible, but in the meantime please could you put this in your diaries. Please could you reply to Lynn Howarth to confirm your attendance or let her know if you are unable to attend.

Best Wishes

Jim Miles

University of Manchester: Headstart 9                                                    11 Nov 11

We are now arranging the ninth running of HEADSTART, the University of Manchester's Leadership Development Programme. Completed applications should be endorsed by the candidate's HOS/line manager and Dean/Director as set out in the brochure link below. Applications should be sent to Emma Rygielska in STDU by 11 November. If a hard copy of this information is required, please contact Emma. If you require any more information about the Headstart programme please contact Paul Dixon.

HEADSTART Distribution Memo (doc) (pdf)

HEADSTART Brochure 2011 (pdf)

HEADSTART 9 APPLICATION FORM (doc) (pdf)

 

New Funding and Award Opportunities

EPS Faculty strategic fund                                                                           17Oct 11

In line with the Faculty’s long-term strategic plan we have managed to develop, and maintain, a small strategic fund to further support research and teaching activities across the Faculty. This investment is alongside our major strategic investments, which I will continue to highlight at the Faculty’s Open Meetings. Similar to last year, I would welcome short proposals (maximum 2-pages) to enhance our teaching and research activities as outlined in the attached document. All proposals must be submitted to Colin Bailey by 17th October 2011

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Strategic Fund        

Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme                                17 OCT 11

Aim: This scheme is for scientists in the UK who want to undertake a collaboration with scientists overseas through either one-off visit or bilateral travel.
Eligibility requirement: The scheme covers all areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine.
Both the UK applicant and overseas applicant must:
■ have a PhD, or be likely to have a PhD by the time the funding starts
■ hold a fixed or permanent contract at an eligible organisation for the duration of the project (ineligible organisations include industrial, private and commercial organisations, university spin-out companies,  government bodies and research institutes and research councils)
■ be based in the respective countries at the time of the application
■ Collaborations should be based on a single project and travel can only take place between the UK and a country where the overseas collaborator is based.  In the case of cost share applications (see below), a relationship between both parties should already be established prior to making an application.
The International Exchanges Scheme is available for travel to all countries outside of the UK.
Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes (available on the website).
Value and tenure:
The funding available is dependent upon the length of the visit.  Applicants may request:
■up to of £3,000 for one-off travel lasting up to 3 months
■up to £6000 for multiple visits to be completed within 1 year (including a maximum of £1000 for research expenses)
■up to £12,000 for multiple visits to be completed within 2 years and cost share projects fixed at 2 years (including a maximum of £2000 for research expenses)
Cost-share programme:
Depending on which country your collaboration is with proposals can be considered as a cost share application.  This entails the UK applicant submitting a proposal to the Royal Society for up to £12,000 AND the overseas applicant simultaneously submitting a proposal for an additional amount up to/equivalent to £12,000 to a partner organisation, with whom the Royal Society has a funding agreement.  For details of countries covered, application and eligibility requirements please read the cost share programme scheme notes (available on the website). More Information
China cost-share round closing date for approved applications: 10 October 2011
2011/R2 round closing date for approved applications: 17 October 2011

RAofE - Engineering Enterprise Fellowships                                         21 Oct 11

The Royal Academy of Engineering has launched a new scheme, Engineering Enterprise Fellowships, which provide funding and support to outstanding entrepreneurial researchers, working in UK Universities, to enable them to spend 12 months developing the commercial potential of their research.  

  • Enterprise Fellowships provide up to £85,000 seed funding, including salary support, to build a commercial enterprise at a UK University.
  • In addition to the funding, business training is provided to develop skills and masterclasses will be offered using experienced entrepreneurs to supplement the training.
  • Mentors will be allocated to each Enterprise Fellow to provide support and advice during the Fellowship.
  • Access will be given to business angels and venture capital networks through the Mentors.

Deadline for applications is Friday 21 October 2011. Further details are available here

Royal Society Research Grants                                                               25 OCT 11

Aim:  This scheme provides ‘seed corn' funding for new projects initiated by research scientists at an early stage of their career (within the first 5 years). The objective of the scheme is to increase the availability of specialised equipment, consumable materials and services, and to support essential field research. The scheme also provides support for research in the history of science or to assist with publication of scholarly works in the history of science.
Subjects covered: All areas of the life and physical sciences, including engineering, but excluding clinical medicine. Additionally, the scheme provides support for research in the history of science and we welcome any research proposal or publication in the area of Royal Society history.
Eligibility: Applicants must be resident in the UK.  They should have postdoctoral level or equivalent status at the time of the application and have a permanent or a named limited-tenure position in an eligible organisation. An applicant who is a post-doctorate paid by a grant for which someone else is the principal investigator is not eligible. Applicants must play a major part and take a leading role in the project and not make its fulfilment more than marginally dependent on the services of postgraduate/doctoral students. For further information regarding eligibility, please refer to the 2011R2 scheme notes, which will be available on the website when the round opens.

Length of tenure: The grant is for a period of 12 months

Place of tenure: UK University or not-for-profit research organisation (except for Research Council Institutes).

Value:  For all subject categories, up to £15,000 (including VAT) is available for the purchase of specialised equipment, essential consumable materials and services.  Up to £5,000 (including VAT) is available for the publication of scholarly works in the history of science. For further information regarding admissible costs, please refer to the 2011/R1 scheme notes, which will be available on the website when the round opens.

More Information
Opening date: 30 August 2011
Closing date for approved applications:  25 October 2011

Academy’s Research Fellowship scheme                                            31 OCT 11

The Academy’s Research Fellowship scheme is now open for applications. In brief, it’s a 5 year fully funded post-doctoral Research Fellowship scheme aimed at the best early career researchers. Applications are welcome from all engineering disciplines and applicants should have up to 3 year’s post-doctoral experience at the time of application.  

Full details are available on the website Here

The application and assessment process is the same as last year, being a Stage 1 outline application followed by a Stage 2 full proposal.

Most universities are limited to two applications each, some are allowed 3 based upon past success in the scheme – a list of which universities can submit three applications is on the website.We expect to receive in the region of 80 applications and to award 8 Fellowships.

The submission deadline for Stage 1 is Monday 31 October 2011.

If you have any questions on the scheme please contact either Angus Baker The Academy’s Research Fellowship scheme is now open for applications. In brief, it’s a 5 year fully funded post-doctoral Research Fellowship scheme aimed at the best early career researchers. Applications are welcome from all engineering disciplines and applicants should have up to 3 year’s post-doctoral experience at the time of application.  

Full details are available on the website Here

The application and assessment process is the same as last year, being a Stage 1 outline application followed by a Stage 2 full proposal.

Most universities are limited to two applications each, some are allowed 3 based upon past success in the scheme – a list of which universities can submit three applications is on the website. We expect to receive in the region of 80 applications and to award 8 Fellowships.

The submission deadline for Stage 1 is Monday 31 October 2011.

If you have any questions on the scheme please contact either Angus Barker or Rob Barrett

Research Exchanges                                                                                     4 Nov 11

The next round of the of the Research Exchanges with China and India scheme run by The Royal Academy of Engineering is now due to start. The scheme provides funding to enable researchers in engineering departments at UK universities to spend time at academic centres of excellence in China or India, and academic engineering researchers in China or India to spend time at a UK university. Awards support visits of 3-12 months and should be part of longer-term efforts to build UK-China/India partnerships. The aim of the scheme is to support international research collaborations and strengthen networks of excellence in engineering research. The deadline for applications is 4 November 2011. Please do not hesitate to contact Radhar Babbar if you require any further information or have any queries regarding this scheme. Further information including application forms and notes for guidance are also available at Here

Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Awards                                      8 Nov 11

Jointly funded by the Wolfson Foundation and BIS, this scheme aims to provide universities with additional support to enable them to attract to this country, or retain, respected scientists of outstanding achievement and potential. Awards are made to the university and as such researchers must remain at the university named on the application.

The focus of the award is a salary enhancement. Research expenses are also considered for research costs not suitable for Research Councils' research grants applications and for overseas applicants to support integration into the UK research and funding environment.

Eligibility: Applicants can be of any nationality and must hold, or be guaranteed, a permanent post at a UK university.  All applicants must have their basic salary wholly funded by the university.

Length of tenure: Five years funding after which the award holder continues with the permanent post at the host university.

Place of tenure: UK university.  Please note that these awards are made to the host university and cannot be transferred to another university.

Value: Salary enhancements have been made usually in the range of £10K to £30K per annum. 

Website link: royalsociety.org/Wolfson-Research-Merit-Awards/

Closing date for approved applications:  08 November 2011

 

Research Awards                                                              top