International Research Training Group

Semantic Integration of Geospatial Information

New Scholarships for Doctoral Researchers

· The IRTG offers several new scholarships for doctoral researchers; 1.468 € per month (if applicable, family supplement).
· In addition, interested PhD students are encouraged to apply for individual scholarships at the national and international funding organization, e.g., DAAD, DFG, EU, etc. In this case, pre-application to the targeted supervisor is required.
· The scholarships are either available in Bremen or Münster, Germany..

Important Dates

· Deadline for applications: February 28th, 2010
· Pre-selection of applications, notification of applicants, invitation to the selection workshop: March 1st - March 8th
· Selection workshop: April 7th

Application

Information for applying can be found on the pages on application and selection, formal selection criteria, and qualitative selection criteria.

Applications in English language are to be sent in parallel

· Digitally: by email (one single pdf file!) to Karsten Höwelhans, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
· Original paper version: by registered mail to Karsten Höwelhans, Institute for Geoinformatics, Weseler Strasse 253, 48151 Münster, Germany.

For all inquiries, please contact the program spokespersons, Prof. Dr. Werner Kuhn, University of Münster, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Prof. Dr. Christian Freksa, University of Bremen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

GRK 1498 – 01.10.2008 – 31.03.2013

With this International Research Training Group (IRTG), we address problems arising when integrating geospatial information from multiple sources to reason and support decisions about the human environment. These problems are situated in the overall research challenge of supporting effective geospatial reasoning across age and cultures. The common scientific thread of the entire program is the ambition to create computationally tractable solutions to problems of semantic integration.
The IRTG will create an international center of excellence in the area of geospatial information integration. The following partners conduct the IRTG:

  • University of Münster, Germany
  • University of Bremen, Germany
  • University at Buffalo, USA.

12 IRTG funded doctoral researchers will enter the program in two cohorts of six in months 1 and 19. Münster and Bremen will together fund at least 6 more doctoral researchers from other resources. Buffalo will participate with 12 doctoral researchers. The research and qualification programs will be guided by 22 professors, 5 each at Münster and Bremen, and 12 at Buffalo, with participating departments of geography, ecology, geoinformatics, computer science, industrial engineering, linguistics, philosophy, anthropology, and cognitive sciences.
The research program targets substantial progress on semantic modeling, information discovery, semantic translation and service composition for geospatial information integration. It is structured into three research initiatives, each involving professors at all three sites co-advising doctoral researchers. The initiatives address specific research questions posed by the overall challenge.
The qualification concept rests on the premise that course work should primarily support doctoral researchers in achieving a high level of interdisciplinary understanding and cooperation. It matches the existing IGERT program in Geographic Information Science at the University at Buffalo and features five phases, including six months at Buffalo for all doctoral researchers from Münster and Bremen. Each phase contains several milestones for progress monitoring, such as thesis proposals, progress reports, and publications.
The familiarity among many participating professors, the multi-lateral advising process including postdoctoral support, and the extensive international networks at each site will provide an unprecedented interdisciplinary and international experience to participating doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, and research students

  • For more information about the students and courses visit the IRTG Wiki

The IRTG is funded by the DFG (German Research Foundation), GRK 1498. Corresponding funding to the University at Buffalo is granted by the NSF (National Science Foundation), IGERT grant DGE-0333417.