PhD Bursary Adapting Global Propagation Models to Climate Change

To celebrate the University's research successes, the University of Hull is offering one International Fees PhD Bursary for candidates applying for the following project:

Adapting Global Propagation Models to Climate Change

Closing date Tuesday 31^st May 2011; Studentships will start in September 2011

Supervisors: Dr Kevin Paulson
Email: K.Paulson@hull.ac.uk 
Telephone: +44 (0)1482 465118
Department: Engineering

Co-Supervisors: Dr Timothy Bellerby, Geography

Visit www.hull.ac.uk/phd to download a copy of the application form.

An international fee waiver is available for a Ph.D. project studying the effects of changing climate on global telecommunications based in the Department of Engineering and the Earth Observation Science Laboratory of the Department of Geography.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU-R) maintains a set of microwave propagation models that are internationally recognised as global standards and are used by regulators and telecommunications operators in every country. These models have been validated against an ITU-R database of propagation measurements (DBSG3) but assume that climatic parameters relevant to propagation are stationary. Recent research at the University of Hull has identified strong trends in several of these climate parameters which, if continued, could result in a severe deterioration in the performance of security-critical communications systems. The aim of this project is to adapt existing, globally recognised, propagation models to climate change, and to verify these models against existing communications-link and climate data.

Applicants should be enthusiastic, highly-motivated and possess, or will shortly obtain, at least an upper second class degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or a related science discipline. Knowledge of microwave propagation and applications would be a major advantage. Some knowledge of meteorology or/and earth observation would also be an advantage. The project involves scientific programming in Matlab and statistical comparison of simulation with measurements, so experience in these or similar areas would also be an advantage.

Full-time International Fee PhD Studentships will include full fees at the International student rate for three years, dependant on satisfactory progress.

PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

Successful applicants will be informed of the award by 11^th July.