PhD in Cultural Computing

PhD in Cultural Computing
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The Faculty of Informatics at the Technical University of Vienna (www.informatik.tuwien.ac.at/english)

and

Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft (www.salzburgresearch.at)


invite interested individuals to apply for a PhD scholarship in Cultural Computing

The goal of this joint undertaking between TU-Vienna and Salzburg Research is to promote young researchers in the interdisciplinary fields of information and communication technologies and culture & arts.

Cultural Computing (CC) implies the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the field of culture and arts.

The employment of ICT by cultural institutions such as archives, libraries and museums exposes institutions to both opportunities and threats. On the one hand, ICT offers new levels of efficiency in the administration and management of artefacts, yet often at the cost of more complex systems; while on the other hand, ICT unlocks new forms of creative and original interaction between users and artefacts.

A response to the ICT challenges facing cultural institutions is evidenced by the many European initiatives, e.g., eContentPlus, Digital Libraries Initiative, programmes for regional development, and others.

With this new PhD Programme we address the need for people with a background in both domains: culture and arts as well as information and communication technologies to extend the field of research and study. The programme guarantees an international education from an acknowledged staff of experts in both fields of study, and offers the unique opportunity to study in Salzburg and Vienna with active participation in leading edge European research projects.

The programÕs duration is 3.5 years. Formally, the degree will be awarded from the Technical University of Vienna.

Themes covered
| Digitisation and preservation of digital cultural objects Metadata,
| taxonomies and ontologies in CC ICT-enhanced management of cultural
| institutions and digital collections Contextualisation of, and
| intelligent access to, cultural
  information (visual arts, music, electronic art, etc.)
| Access and interaction in virtual and hybrid cultural information
| spaces

What we offer
| Up to 4 scholarships in 2007 (another 4 in autumn 2008) Possibility to
| work in international and national research projects Collaboration
| with excellent researchers in experienced groups Joint Programme
| between Technical University of Vienna and
  Salzburg Research
| Possibility to stay in Salzburg and Vienna (alternating, starting
  in Salzburg)
| Financial contribution 1000 EUR per month, tax free (up to 3.5 years)
| Free health and accident insurance

What we expect from you
| A master degree with in computer science or a related
  discipline (so that you formally qualify for a PhD study at TU-Vienna)

| Commitment to research and to collaboratively
  working in international teams
| Proficiency in English

How to apply
We ask you to submit a research proposal, fitting in the
general themes outlined above, ideally with a reference
to Salzburg. Starting from a brief description of your
current academic background and other expertise, the
proposal should describe in some detail (5-10 pages):

| Research objectives and background (then to be detailed in the research work)
| Intended results and their potential relevance
| Methods that will be used
| Work procedure and timetable

In addition, please provide

| Your CV with list of publications
| Two reference letters


Submit your application by June 1, 2007 the latest
to ccphd@salzburgesearch.at


Administrative matters
| 2. April 2007 Call for PhD applications is launched
| 1. June 2007 Deadline for submission of applications
| 5. July 2007 Scientific Board Meeting
| 9. July 2007 Notification of Acceptance
| 1. October 2007 Start of CCPhD-Programm

Contact details
Further details can be obtained from:

E: ccphd@salzburgresearch.at
P: +43 662 2288 211 (Siegfried Reich),
   +43 1 58801 18826 (Andreas Rauber)
W: http://www.salzburgresearch.at/~sreich/ccphd_call2007.pdf