InfoLab21

PhD Scholarship (Microsoft Research PhD Programme) Computer Graphics, Digital Fabrication, and Human-Computer Interaction

A PhD scholarship is available to work with Dr. Manfred Lau at Lancaster University (School of Computing and Communications) in the areas of computer graphics, digital fabrication, and human-computer interaction (for UK or EU students). This scholarship is funded by Microsoft Research Cambridge, UK, and you will be co-supervised by researchers there. The topic is related to the Microsoft Gadgeteer framework.

The Gadgeteer framework provides a platform for designing and fabricating electronic devices with a set of small electronic components. The current approach for modelling an enclosure (or physical case) for such a device is with Solidworks, and this process typically takes hours. During the course of the PhD, we will develop a set of 3D modelling and digital fabrication tools that novices can use to design enclosures more intuitively and efficiently. There is a range of possibilities in how to achieve this. We may draw ideas from various areas including geometry modeling, user interfaces, augmented reality, and computational design.

The scholarship provides support for PhD studies for a duration of 3 years, and a laptop allowance. It is funded by the Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship Programme. You will be invited to Microsoft Research in Cambridge for a PhD Summer School that includes a series of talks of academic interest and posters sessions, which provides you and the other PhD Scholars in the programme the opportunity to present their work to Microsoft researchers and a number of Cambridge academics. Some of the Scholars may also be offered, at the sole discretion of Microsoft Research, an internship in one of the Microsoft Research laboratories. Internships involve working on a project alongside and as part of a team of Microsoft researchers. Scholars are paid during their internship - in addition to their scholarship bursary.

This scholarship is expected to begin in the 2013/2014 academic year, and the search for applicants is ongoing until a suitable candidate is found. The applicant should have a strong degree in computer science (or related area) and/or an appropriate Masters degree. Previous research experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable: computer graphics, digital fabrication, 3D modeling, augmented reality, and human-computer interaction. Strong programming skills are required. You will participate fully as a student in a strong research environment at Lancaster University, and you will be expected to publish and present your work at the leading international conferences in the related research areas.

If you are interested, please contact Dr. Manfred Lau directly for informal discussions (about your interests and background, and/or if you have any questions). To apply, send your CV (including research experiences and publications, if any), a transcript (of your academic degrees), and a cover letter (describing why you are a suitable candidate) to m.lau@lancaster.ac.uk. You will be contacted if you are shortlisted. We will then ask for two letters of recommendation, and may decide to interview potential candidates by telephone.

Contact information

Dr. Manfred Lau, m.lau@lancaster.ac.uk

(https://sites.google.com/site/manfredlau/)

Tue 09 April 2013