The Doctorate and Post-Doctorate PhD Scholarships (ERC Consolidator Grant URANUS).

The Doctorate and Post-Doctorate PhD Scholarships (ERC Consolidator Grant URANUS) are now accepting applications.
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Two (2) vacancies are available.
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus; University of Cyprus

The Doctorate and Post-Doctorate PhD Scholarships (ERC Consolidator Grant URANUS)

The esteemed 2022 European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant, given to Associate Professor Stelios Timotheou for his five-year, two-million-euro project “Real-Time Urban Mobility Management via Intelligent UAV-based Sensing (URANUS),” includes two scholarships for full-time PhD studies. The goal of the URANUS project is to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to sense vehicular and pedestrian traffic in real-time, dynamically, and intelligently, and to use the information gathered to manage urban mobility. In this regard, a comprehensive framework for UAV operational planning and real-time urban mobility monitoring and control will be developed. It is anticipated that URANUS will revolutionize our knowledge of the cooperative optimization of sensing, monitoring, and control. It will also result in significant advancements in urban traffic mobility that will have a positive impact on the environment and the economy.

The chosen candidates will enroll in the Ph.D. programs in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Cyprus, the top-ranked university on the island and one of the top 100 Young Universities in the world. They will work under the supervision of Associate Professor Stelios Timotheou (http://www.eng.ucy.ac.cy/stimotheou/). At the cutting-edge facilities of the KIOS Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence (KIOS CoE), the selected candidates will be expected to carry out basic and/or applied research in the fields of data-driven and/or uncertainty-aware mathematical optimization and control, machine learning, and uncertainty quantification with applications to intelligent transportation systems and UAV operational planning.

With more than 180 researchers working for it, the KIOS CoE, housed within the University of Cyprus, is a preeminent hub for monitoring, control, management, and security of critical infrastructure systems in Cyprus and the surrounding region. For multidisciplinary research and innovation projects, the Centre strategically partners with Imperial College, London, as well as numerous local and international industry, academic, and research organizations, and other stakeholders.

Terms of Scholarship

The scholarships are available for four years of full-time PhD study under an annual contract that is contingent upon an annual performance review. It covers both the gross monthly wage of €1500 and the university tuition. The Maternity Protection Law 1997 (\.100(I)/1997) and the current modification laws will be the basis for granting maternity leave. The scholarships are contingent upon the candidates’ acceptance into one of the Ph.D. programs offered by the University of Cyprus’ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. See the section below on the application procedure for further details.

The Candidate’s Overview

The candidates should be graduates of an approved university with a B.Sc. (or equivalent) in computer science, mathematics, electrical and/or computer engineering, or another relevant discipline. An advantage will be given to those with an M.Sc. (or similar) degree and/or experience in machine learning, control theory, mathematical optimization, and Bayesian statistics.

Strong programming, algorithmic, and analytical abilities are required of the applicants, along with fluency in English.

Application Process

To be considered for the PhD Scholarships and to be admitted to the Ph.D. programs offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cyprus, interested individuals must submit two separate applications.

(1) Interested students should submit the following materials online at https://applications.ucy.ac.cy/recruitment/ to be considered for the PhD Scholarships:
• A cover letter outlining the candidate’s availability and the degree they would like to pursue.
• A one-page statement that includes a synopsis of your research and academic background and the reasons you are applying for this particular scholarship.

• A thorough English curriculum vitae with a list of publications (if any).
• Official transcripts for each degree, together with copies of the BSc/MSc degree(s) (copies of official translations are also needed if the degree or transcript was not originally written in Greek or English).
• A copy of an official English language certificate (e.g., TOEFL, GCSE, or IELTS Academic).

• The addresses of two university professors who are available to provide recommendation letters.

Please be aware that incomplete applications won’t be accepted.

(2) Candidates must apply for a Ph.D. position (Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Ph.D. in Computer Engineering) through the University of Cyprus’ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to be admitted to the Ph.D. program. The application process can be accessed through: The deadline for applications is April 2, 2024.

Applying for a postgraduate degree at https://applications.ucy.ac.cy/MNG_USER_en.login_frm

In their cover letter, candidates should state that they have applied for the PhD Scholarships provided by the ERC Consolidator Grant URANUS and that they would like to work with Associate Professor Stelios Timotheou on their research project.
Please submit your application as soon as you can, but no later than March 29, 2024, as the PhD Scholarships will be given out as soon as qualified individuals are found.

The applications will be evaluated as soon as possible. The Selection Committee will interview no less than the top three applicants who meet the requirements. The KIOS CoE will notify candidates of the outcome of their application.

It is not required for applicants to be Republic of Cyprus citizens. However, before applying, candidates should confirm that should they be chosen, they will be living in Cyprus full-time for the duration of the employment.

Your data will be gathered and processed by the University of Cyprus in compliance with the General Regulation on Personal Data 2016/679 (EU).

To provide a fair, secure, and enjoyable environment for the entire university community, the University of Cyprus (UCY) is dedicated to promoting inclusivity, diversity, equality, and the abolition of all forms of discrimination. Staff and students will feel supported in their personal and professional development, both within and beyond their multiple identities. To do this, UCY works to provide the prerequisites that will uphold dignity in the workplace and society at large, as well as promote and respect diversity. Additionally, UCY has implemented certain policies to support diversity awareness and respect, as well as equal chances, and it is dedicated to fostering and upholding an atmosphere free from discrimination in the workplace, classroom, and learning.

Please contact the KIOS Centre of Excellence at kioshiring@ucy.ac.cy or Associate Professor Stelios Timotheou at stimo@ucy.ac.cy for additional information. You can also reach them by phone at +357 22893460.

Act immediately to claim this PhD Scholarship (ERC Consolidator Grant URANUS) for Post-Doctoral and Doctoral Studies.