PhD in Computer Science - Interactive Visualization of Temporal Multi-Omic Data

Number of awards:

1

Start date and duration :

September 2018 (Up to four-years PhD).

Overview:

This PhD studentship in Computer Science will develop novel data visualization methods for analysis of time based, biological data of multiple types.

Background: Coastal areas are of huge importance to the UK, but are threatened by issues related to erosion and climate change. Bacterial communities can be used as bio-indicators of health and erosion in these areas, as well as for detection of changes that may require active intervention. The mapping of bacterial diversity generates large amounts of diverse ‘omics data. The investigation and analysis of these data has become a major bottleneck, and few software are available to support the generation of valuable knowledge. Visualization and data science approaches are of great importance for linking relationships across multiple datasets, and through this develop models and hypotheses that help identify and predict serious issues such as erosion and environmental changes.

Objectives: Within this project you will develop techniques for interactive visual exploration and analysis of temporal ‘omics data, working with scientists in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences that research bacterial communities in coastal erosion areas.

Further project details can be found at http://www.ncl.ac.uk/sage/learningandteaching/postgraduateresearch/.

Sponsor:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) (https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/)

Name of supervisor(s):

Dr Sara Johansson Fernstad (https://bitly.im/jp9Hl), School of Computing (https://bitly.im/fbZRR)
Dr Maria Del Carmen Montero-Calasanz, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
Professor Nick Holliman, School of Computing

Eligibility Criteria:

You should have either a First class honours degree or 2.1 in Computing Science, Mathematics, Electrical and Computer Engineering or other relevant science or engineering subject. A distinction level Masters degree in a related subject will be a plus. Equivalent experience will also be considered. Good programming skills are desirable, and experience of data visualization, HCI and/or data mining.

The studentships are open to applicants satisfying EPSRC home/UK or EU fee criteria. EU and international candidates may only be available for a partial award.

English language skills (if English is not your native language): an overall score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with individual scores of 6.0 in each of the four sub-skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening.

How to apply:

You must apply through the University’s online postgraduate application system (https://bitly.im/Qz1lp). To do this please ‘Create a new account’.

All relevant fields should be completed, but fields marked with a red asterisk must to be completed. The following information will help us to process your application. You will need to:

insert the programme code 8050F in the programme of study section
select ‘PhD Computer Science - (Computing Science)’ as the programme of study
insert the studentship code COMP003 in the studentship/partnership reference field
attach a covering letter and CV. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote reference code COMP003 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project
attach degree transcripts and certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualifications.

Please send your covering letter and CV by e-mail to [Email Address Removed].