PBS PhD Studentship in: Telecare Systems Application and ICT Infrastructure

The ongoing demographic changes which are leading to an ageing population have a number of significant social and economic implications. Leveraging Information Communication Technology (ICT) to support independent living in an ageing society is both a social necessity and an economic opportunity. Telecare systems involve leading technologies that can keep old people living at home for longer while remaining connected, yet research suggests that in Europe the take up rate of using telecare systems has been relatively low. This study aims to examine telecare systems adoption and the associated ICT infrastructure in practice with the objective to develop and evaluate an ICT infrastructure model that underpins the implementation of advanced telecare systems.

Enquiries relating to the topic should be directed to: Dr. Mark Xu (mark.xu@port.ac.uk). This studentship is located in the Portsmouth Business School and potential applicants are advised to examine our Research Degree Pages at http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/faculties/portsmouthbusinessschool/researchdegrees/  prior to applying.

Applicants will have a good first degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) and ideally a Masters (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.

Applications should include:

• a full CV including personal details, qualifications, educational history and, where applicable, any employment or other experience relevant to the application
• contact details for TWO referees able to comment on your academic performance
• a statement of 1,000 (words) outlining your proposed project, identifying the objectives of the research and discussing how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.

Application Deadline: 30 March 2010, Start date 1 October 2010.

The studentships will cover tuition fees and an annual grant equivalent to that offered by the ESRC - currently £13290 per annum for a maximum of three years. UK/EU residence eligibility conditions apply.

Applications should be sent to: Donna Denham, Postgraduate Course Director, University of Portsmouth, Richmond Building, Portland Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE (applications can be submitted electronically via: Donna.Denham@port.ac.uk)