[Apologies if you receive multiple times this announcement]

---------------------------------------------------------------------
* PhD Studentship in the University of Nottingham, UK
* Project title: Principled design of Learning Classifier Systems for
challenging large-scale domains
* Funding body: School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham
* Deadline for application: September 30th, 2008
* Studentship start date: October/November, 2008
---------------------------------------------------------------------

With funding from the School of Computer Science at the University of
Nottingham, the project Principled design of Learning Classifier
Systems for challenging large-scale domains invites applications from
interested students at doctoral training level.

Learning Classifier Systems (LCS) are robust machine learning techniques
very suitable for data mining and knowledge discovery. In recent years,
there has been important research effort in advanced representations,
search mechanisms, theoretical analysis, etc. However, there are very
few examples of the application of all these advances to challenging
large-scale domains. The aim of this project is to engineer a competent
and robust LCS system specially designed for this kind of domains,
involving the study of theoretical models of LCS behaviour, proposal of
new representations, exploration mechanisms and robust policies of
aplication of the different LCS subsystems.

Students should have at least an upper second-class honours degree
(ideally a first class degree), or a combination of qualifications
and/or experience equivalent to that level. Ideally, students should
have a BSc or MSc degree in computer science, but those with a
mathematical background, if they have strong computing skills, are also
encouraged to apply.

The student will be based in the Automated Scheduling, Optimisation &
Planning (ASAP) Group, which is one of four main research groups within
the School of Computer Science at Nottingham. The School received a
Grade 5 in the last UK RAE. ASAP has been carrying out innovative
research into the development and investigation of decision support,
search methodologies and machine learning for a wide and diverse range
of real world problem environments for the last 10 years. The group
comprises nine members of academic staff, 18 researchers, 42 PhD
students and four administrators.

Due to funding restrictions, this studentship only provides home tuition
fees (UK/EU students) and a tax-free stipend of around 12,000 per annum.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr J Bacardit, tel: 0115 846 7044
or Email: Jaume.Bacardit@....

Applications, with a detailed CV, a research statement and the names and
addresses of two referees, should be sent to Ms D Pitchfork, School of
Computer Science, The University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Wollaton
Road, Nottingham, NG8 1BB. Tel: 0115 846 6543. Email:
Deborah.Pitchfork@.... Please quote ref. SCI/499. Closing
date: 30 September 2008.

This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment
may still contain software viruses, which could damage your computer system:
you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the
University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.