Funded PhD Studentship
Closing Date : 15th November
2001
(Position now filled)
Investigation of Novel Methods to Optimise Shelf Space Allocation
A funded PhD position is available within the Automated Scheduling, Optimisation
and Planning (ASAP) research group within the School of Computer Science and IT
at The University of Nottingham.
The studentship is funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as part of project number
GR/R60577 and pays tuition fees for UK or EU students and living expenses (approximately 7,500 pounds pa) for a
period of three years. Non UK/EU students would need to pay international fees, which is approximately an
extra 6,000 pounds pa. If you were invited for interview (possibly a telephone interview) we could discuss the various
options available to acquire the extra fees.
A brief description of the proposed research is given below
We plan to investigate and further develop recent advances in heuristic optimisation techniques to produce
good quality shelf layouts (also called planograms). Specifically, the objectives are to
- Investigate modelling issues in formulating a shelf layout and develop appropriate models. The models will be
capable of being optimised by exact techniques (e.g. linear programming, graph theory etc.)
and AI techniques (e.g. genetic algorithms, ant algorithms, evolutionary strategies, multi-objective
approaches etc.)
- Investigate and develop operational research and artificial intelligence techniques to optimise
the model developed in 1. The range of techniques we will consider will include initialisation
strategies (so that we start searching from reasonable solutions), decomposition (to break the larger
problem into sub-problems which may be easier to solve), case based reasoning (both as an initialisation
strategy and as a method in its own right) and hybridisation (to combine two (or more) different
algorithms).
- Implement a prototype system for the next generation of planograms. These will produce planograms
of higher quality than is currently available, using less time and labour than current methods.
- Evaluate and assess the model on a range of real problems from the retail sector.
A more complete description of the research project is available
in html and word
Applicants should send a CV to:
Mrs Diana French
School of Computer Science and IT
University of Nottingham
Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road, Nottingham
NG8 1BB, UK
email : dxf@cs.nott.ac.uk
IMPORTANT
Please ensure your CV (or covering letter) includes the following
- The reference for this position, which is "GXKplanogram"
- Your degree subject together with the classification achieved or expected
- Two people we can approach for references, with EMAIL addresses
- If applicable, your English language qualifications, with the score obtained
- When you would be available to start, should the position be offered
Failure to provide this information could slow down your application, as we need this information at some point
In addition to your CV, you will also be required to complete a university
application form. This will be sent to you when we receive your CV.
For more information about :
Links
EMAIL : gxk@cs.nott.ac.uk
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Last Updated 8th Mar 2001