2009 Bursaries for PhD studies. The following topics have been highlighted for support from QMU, so PhD bursaries are available for research in these areas. Follow the link for more information. Deadlines for applications 18 March 2009. See http://www.qmu.ac.uk/research_knowledge/bursarycomp09.htm for institutional information and got to SSRC for our research site.

• SM13 Newborn hearing screening
• SM14 Communication skills in people with Parkinson’s Disease
• SM15 Clinical Phonetics: Voice Disorders, Stuttering, Cluttering and Motor Control
• SM16 Articulatory Phonetics and Laboratory Phonology
  and see also
• HS10 Speech and motor control in Parkinson’s Disease

Applications. We encourage applications for supervised postgradute research leading to the degrees of MPhil and PhD. We are strongly committed to both normative and clinical research. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact us as early in the process as possible. Members of staff whose research interests make them possible supervisors welcome informal approaches. See also the research groups based around funded-research projects and their contact people, and the list of current and previous postgraduate research topics in the menu on the left.

Funding - QM bursaries. We have self-funded, externally-funded, and QMUC bursary-funded students currently undertaking postgraduate study. Occasionally studentships are made available by QM for competitive application. They will be announced here and in the national press. Institutional information is here: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/research_knowledge/bursarycomp09.htm
The most recent set of bursaries was announced in February 2009, and the closing date: 18 March 2009.

Funding - EdSST. Occasional calls will be made for short term visiting scholarships funded under the EdSST (Edinburgh Speech Science and Technology) scheme. The overall objective of the project is the development of a research training programme for "early stage researchers" working towards a PhD. EdSST is interdisciplinary,featuring a strong interaction between the two disciplines of speech science and technology. It is funded under the European Commission Marie Curie programme, under the Early Stage Research Training (EST) scheme. It runs for 4 years from January 2006. call for visiting researchers. Phase 1 deadline was 15 Dec 2006.

EdSST is based at the University of Edinburgh Centre for Speech Technology Research (CSTR) in partnership with Queen Margaret University College (QMUC) Speech Science Research Centre (SSRC). CSTR brings the project a strong base in speech technology, and SSRC provides a strong base in speech science. We aim both to use findings from speech science to drive advances in speech technology, and to employ modern signal processing and machine learning techniques in speech science. The project is also concerned with developing improved speech technology solutions for people with a range of cognitive, speech, and hearing abilities.

Environment. Our students are all physically housed in SHS, sharing offices with research staff. We pride ourselves on offering our small group of postgraduate students the very best in academic, IT and pastoral support. Our active research collaboration (e.g. with Edinburgh University and local NHS trusts) gives unparalleled access to the national and international research community. Many of our students have gone on to successful careers in research. External examiners have included Prof Jonathan Harrington, Prof Marilyn Vihman, and Prof Gerry Docherty.