Pakistani student selected for L'Oreal Fellowship at University of Cambridge

lshrat BANO a PhD student in Bionanotechnology at the Quaid-I-Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan has been selected for L’Oreals fellowship at University of Cambridge UKHer research focuses on the practical applications of nanotechnology in medicine.

Nanoparticles are particles with dimensions of iess than 100nm (a nanometer is one-biliionth of a meter} and are attracting a lot of interest in the field of drug development. Their small size and ability to transport drugs directly to target locations open up many possibilities for more efhcient and effective drug delivery, particularly in cancer patients.

Ishrat Bano is looking into the use of magnetic narioparticles in drug delivery. These offer the additional advantage of being more easily directed to diseased tissue through the use of an external magnetic field to direct the particles. Because they can target so efficiently, they also reduce the quantity of drug required to reach the appropriate concentration in the target location, therefore minimizing severe side effects in other, healthy parts ofthe body. However, magnetic particles have a tendency to stick together and cause potential blockage in the tiny capillaries of the blood system.

lt is therefore essential that the particles used are superparamagnetic — only exhibiting magnetism in the presence of an external magnetic field. During her fellowship she will receive training in the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles adapted to drug delivery.

The ability of these particles to transport drugs is affected by acidity, temperature and the binding sites on the drug moIecuIe`s surface. She will test different methods of drug binding using insulin as a model protein drug and, using acidic solutions to simulate the conditions found in the stomach, she will also test the stability ofthe insulin-loaded particles and their ability to release the drug.

On return to Pakistan, Ishrat Bano will complete her PhD studies and then, as a postdoctoral researcher, she hopes to have the chance to make an important contribution tothe field of drug delivery using bionariotechnology.

Pakistani Girls should apply for L’Oreal’s scholarship & fellowships which run every year. More details can be found on L’Oreals web site at http://www.loreal.com

President Zardari's moves for Islamic Education and Research

ISLAMABAD, Mar 9 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Monday announced that the government will bear expenses for the marriage of 2500 girls belonging to poor families during the next one year. The President made the announcement at the prize distribution ceremony in connection with the Seerat Conference at the Presidency.

The President also announced ten international scholarships for research scholars for conducting research in Pakistan on Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to enable them to conduct postgraduate research in the world’s best institutes.

The President also announced the establishment of an Institute of Islamic Research and Scholarship in Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad. He said Pakistan will also hold an International Conference on the topic of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as Rehmat ul Alamin.

President Asif Ali Zardari gave away prizes to the winners of best books, Naat writing and papers on Seerat.

Those who received prizes from the President included: Abdul Rashid Bhatti, Abu-al-Imtiaz, Muhammad Ikhlaq, Hafiz Muhammad Ibrahim Faizi, Hafiz Muhammad Nizarul Hassan, Syed Ahmad Siddiqui, Ghulam Rasool, Sarwar Qureshi, Abdul Haseeb Salik, Mrs. Mudassir Hameed, Dr. Nigar Sajjad Zaheer, Aleemunnisa, Syed Azizur Rehman, Dr. Ikramul Haq Al-Azhari, Qari Syed Sadaqat Ali, Tahira Dastgir, Muhammad Iqbal and Mumtaz Ali Khan.

The ceremony was attended among others by Minister for Religious Affairs Allama Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Minister of State for Religious Affairs Shugafta Jamani, religious scholars, ulema and intellectuals.

Minister for Religious Affairs said collective marriages would be organized during the year at provincial headquarters and in AJK.

Source: http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70411&Itemid=1

PhD Fellowships in Biochemistry at Friedrich Schiller University, Germany

JSMC invites applications for a PhD Fellowship on the topic Chemical crosstalk among bacterial
predators

The genus Lysobacter constitutes a physiologically unique group of organisms within the
proteobacteria that practices wolf pack behavior to prey on other microbes. The research project is focused on the identification and characterisation of chemical factors that trigger or mediate
group predation using methods of molecular biology and analytical chemistry.

We expect:
- a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology, Biochemistry or Chemistry. Candidates about
to earn their degree are welcome to apply.
- high motivation and interest to join one of the interdisciplinary research areas of JSMC
- creativity and interest to shape your own thesis project
- an integrative and cooperative personality
- very good communication skills in English (instruction language at JSMC)

We offer:
- a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top?level researchconditions
- a PhD stipend paid for 3 years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation)
as well as generous research funding
- a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
- courses in novel technologies and soft skills
- Jena - the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively city with dynamic business
activities,successful scientific centres of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the
famous Friedrich
Schiller University

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is an equal opportunity employer.

The application procedure is handled online exclusively via the JSMC website www.jsmc.uni.jena.de

Please visit this website to acquaint yourself with details about the project above and other PhD
projects offered within the current JSMC Recruitment Call. Then complete and submit the
‘Statement of Interest’ form downloadable from www.jsmc.uni.jena.de. Applications can only be
considered upon receipt of the completed form, submitted by email to apply.jsmc@uni.jena.de.
DO NOT submit any additional documents at this point.

Deadline for submission of the ‘Statement of Interest’: April 6th, 2009.

Selected applicants will be invited to the JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena, Germany, at the end of June,2009. PhD fellowship awarding decisions will be made shortly thereafter (July 2009).

PhD Studentship In Health Sciences at University of Leeds

Value of Award: One studentship - Fees paid at international rate, plus £13,290 maintenance for up to three years full-time study. We would particularly welcome applications from candidates
from low to middle income countries

Closing Date: 31 March 2009

Minimum Academic Requirements:
A good first degree or post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline. The studentship will
be awarded to the strongest candidate by merit.

Content Area:
The Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS) invites applications for a PhD Studentship in one
of the following areas:
* Piloting MDR-TB treatment in the community in Bangladesh
* Is a community-based intervention ‘Smoke Free Homes’ successful in the implementation of
smoking restrictions at homes?
* Understanding and facilitating health decisions in individuals with a family history of cancer
* Evaluating Artificial Intelligence methodologies used to create individualised interventions in
healthcare.
* Assessment of age-inequalities in cardiac care across England and Wales
For further particulars about these projects, look at http://www.leeds. ac.uk/lihs/
jobspostgrad2. html
Application Procedures: Two application forms (Institute and University) must be completed:
The LIHS Application Form is available at
http://www.leeds. ac.uk/lihs/ jobspostgrad2. html or by post from the
Research Support Secretary, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, Charles Thackrah Building,
University of Leeds, 101 Clarendon Road,Leeds LS2 9LJ
Tel: +44 (0)113 34 37354 Email: k.weston-garcia@ leeds.ac. uk
A University of Leeds Application Form for undertaking postgraduate study is available at:
http://www.leeds. ac.uk/students/ appfmweb. doc
All enquiries about the application process are to be made to:
Claire Walton, Postgraduate Research Student Co-ordinator, Faculty Graduate School Room 10.110,
Level 10 Worsley Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9NL Tel: +44 (0) 113 34 37497 Email:hcscw@leeds. ac.uk

PhD studentships at Zurich

NCCR project “Civil Society – Government Interactions in Global Governance”

The NCCR Democracy is an interdisciplinary research program on thechallenges to democracy in the 21st century funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of Zurich. In theframework of the NCCR project “Civil Society – Government Interactionsin Global Governance” we are seeking two Ph.D. students. Theappointment is for four years and will begin on October 1, 2009.

Project description: The project will study how civil society groups(NGOs and business groups) and government representatives interact inthe context of global environmental policy making. It will concentrateon developing a formal (game theoretical) model to explain governmentand civil society groups behavior. It will also use a combination ofqualitative case studies and statistical analysis to test hypothesesgenerated by the theoretical model. The empirical work will mainlycover global climate change and ozone layer policy as well as policiespertaining to trade in hazardous wastes and endangered species.

Position / Profile: We are looking for two PhD students with a stronginterest in analyzing global environmental issues from a politicaleconomy perspective. We expect you to hold an MA/MSc in politicalscience and/or economics, to have strong methodological skills, a keeninterest in questions of political economy, a good knowledge ofpolitical science and political economy theories, and a strong commandof English. Expertise in formal modelling (game theory) is notnecessary, but will have to be acquired during the first year.
Terms of employment: We offer the successful candidates anintellectually challenging position in one of the leading politicalscience research centers in Europe and the prospects of obtaining aPhD from ETH Zürich (http://www.ib.ethz.ch/phd/index). Your employmentand workplace will be in the International Political Economy researchgroup at the CIS, which is led by Prof. Thomas Bernauer(http://www.ib.ethz.ch). The salary will be according to the pay scaleof the Swiss National Science Foundation (ca. CHF 3’000.- /month,which is sufficient to support a modest one person household inZürich). The employment is for four years. Applications: Applicationsshould include a letter of motivation, a detailed curriculum vitae,two letters of recommendation, copies of all academicdegrees, the MA/MSc thesis or two recent seminar papers. Please submityour application in two Pdf files, the first containing all parts ofthe application except the MA/MSc thesis or seminar papers, to MsClaudia Jenny at cjenny@icr.ethz.gess.ch.
The deadline for applications is May 15, 2009.
–
ETH Zurich
Dr. Michael M. Bechtel
Center for Comparative and International Studies
WEC C 25
Weinbergstrasse 11
CH-8092 Zurich
michael.bechtel@ir.gess.ethz.ch
www.ib.ethz.ch/people/mbechtel
+41 44 632 62 68 phone
+41 44 632 12 89 fax

PhD studentships at Bowling Green State University, USA

Two PhD-student research assistantships available

1) Research assistantship available immediately to participate in a NOAA Sea Grant project using otolith chemistry to quantify mixed stock distribution, philopatry, and fisheries exploitation of steelhead trout in Lake Erie. This project involves joint collaboration between Jeff Miner (Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Laboratory) and John Farver (Geology) in close association with state and federal fisheries biologists and hatchery managers. Two years of research assistantship support are available to a top PhD student.

2) The primary purpose of this project is to identify characteristics necessary to classify reservoirs in terms of natural reproduction for yellow perch and reservoirs that can be stocked
successfully with yellow perch fingerlings from hatcheries (up to three years of support). This project starts this summer and involves multivariate assessment of abiotic and biotic characteristics in Ohio reservoirs, including considerable field work and quantitative
analyses.

Experimental spin-off research is expected by graduate students in both projects.

We seek highly motivated and collaborative individuals who desire to combine fieldwork with lab research involving typical aquatic biology and ecology approaches as well as more specialized analytical chemistry. Desired qualifications include a BS/MS in one of several relevant fields of study (e.g. biology, ecology, fisheries) with coursework in chemistry and statistics, field experience in aquatic or fish ecology, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and comfort applying interdisciplinary approaches to questions in aquatic ecology and fisheries biology. Competitive stipends (including health insurance) with tuition waivers are available. Applications will be accepted on a continuing basis until qualified individuals are identified, but materials are strongly encouraged by April 1, 2009.

Applicants should send a letter that summarizes their background, educational goals, and statement of research interests, along with your transcripts and curriculum vitae (with contact information for three references) to: Dr. Jeffrey Miner (jminer@bgsu.edu) or mail to
Jeffrey Miner
Department of Biological Sciences
Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Laboratory
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH 43403

Bowling Green State University (18,000 students) is at the western end of Lake Erie (Great Lakes research), and in close proximity to remnant oak-savanna prairies and fragmented forest-agroecosytem complexes.

Bowling Green is also within easy driving distance of Columbus, Ann Arbor, Chicago, and Cleveland.

Further information about graduate studies in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology at Bowling Green State University is available at:
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/biology/programs/grad/index.html

PhD Scholarships at Norway

PhD Stipend Provided by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund

The Department of International Environment & Development Studies, Noragric, invites applications from eligible candidates employed at its partner institutions in developing countries for a three-year PhD quota stipend provided by the Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund. The selected candidate will carry out interdisciplinary research for the doctoral degree in one of the following thematic areas: Health and Development, Environmental Governance, or Adaptation to Climate Change.

The closing date for applications is 15 March 2009.

The applicant must have a research-based Master’s degree with a GPA of B (or its equivalent) or above in a field relevant to environment and development studies, and preferably be below 35 years of age. Ability to use English as a working language and in daily communication is a prerequisite. Previous research and working experience will also be considered in the evaluation of the applicants.

Applicants must use a prescribed application form and attach certified copies of the educational qualifications and transcripts, a letter of recommendation from the head of the partner institution in which the applicant is employed, a letter guaranteeing that if selected the applicant will have extra financial support to pay the bench fee of NOK74000, and a preliminary research proposal not exceeding 4000 words. The applicant should choose one of the three thematic areas for the preliminary research proposal.

The Quota Scheme covers living expenses while studying in Norway, travel allowances according to fixed national rates at minimum student costs and support to cover field work in the student’s home country as part of the study in Norway. Approximately 70% of the Quota Scholarship is provided as loan and 30% as a scholarship; total amount of NOK 85.000 pr. year (2008/ 2009). If the student makes satisfactory progress, the financial support will normally be renewed every year. If the student permanently settles in his/her home country after completing the degree, the loan will be waived after one year. If the student settles in another country, he/she has to repay the loan on the same conditions as Norwegian citizens. The Quota Scholarship also includes family support for living with the student in Norway. The monthly support is based on the number of children as follows: one child: NOK 1320/ months, 2 children: NOK 2640/ month, each additional child: NOK 850/ month. No support is provided for spouses solely, and no support is available to cover travel expenses for family members.

The applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their academic qualifications, the quality of the preliminary research proposal and previous research and other relevant experience. The selected candidate will be admitted to Noragric’s PhD programme, assigned to a senior scientist who will be the main supervisor, and attached to the Scientific Group to which the main supervisor belongs.

There are two Scientific Groups at Noragric: Livelihoods, Environmental Change and Globalisation, and Governance, Rights and Conflict.

Applications must be addressed to Head of Research, Noragric and sent electronically to Research Coordinator Rebekka Øvstegård Rebekka.Ovstegard@umb.no before the closing date.

The application must be signed and scanned before electronic transmission.For further information, contact: Prof. N. Shanmugaratnam, Head of Research, phone +47 64965508, email: nsh@umb.no or Research Coordinator Rebekka Øvstegård, phone +47 64965334