Internships

During the summer of 2010 Athens Information Technology will offer internship opportunities in the following 5 research areas:

• High Speed Networks and Optical Communications
• Broadband Wireless and Sensor Networks
• Software Systems
• Network Design and Services
• Algorithms and Security

More specifically:

1. High Speed Networks and Optical Communications
http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/research_HSN.jsp

The prospective applicant will work on the topic of Next Generation Optical Access (NGA) networks in the framework of relevant EU projects. Work in this project will focus on the performance evaluation of novel Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols for NGA networks using the Opnet modeler tool.

Prerequisites: Computer networks, Knowledge of OpNet simulation platform.

2. Broadband Wireless and Sensor Networks
http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/research_BWISE.jsp

B-WiSE lab would like to request one intern in the area of scheduling for cognitive wireless networks. "Transmitter - Receiver Synchronization over an Indoor Wireless MIMO Testbed"

The goal of this project is to achieve and successfully demonstrate the good synchronization of a transmitter and a receiver of a wireless MIMO testbed that AIT's B-WiSE research lab possesses. Currently the two units are synchronized using a common (wired) clock reference. The transmitter and receiver units are also equipped with GPS units; however, these have not been tested yet and their operation might be problematic in the lab's indoor environment. The project will include the following steps:

1) Understanding the current way that synchronization is achieved
2) Examine if a GPS-based solution is possible
3) Propose other ways to synchronize if the GPS approach fails
4) Evaluate the proper operation of the proposed synchronization technique over multiple over-the-air MIMO transmission experiments

Prerequisites: The candidate should have a basic understanding of digital communication systems, as well as wireless transmission.

3. Software Systems
http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/research_SS.jsp

The Software Systems Group does cutting edge research and development in all abstractions of software systems from operating systems to middleware infrastructures and services to high level web services. One of the projects currently running by the SSG is the mapping of several of the internal processes of a typical research organization like AIT to state of the art web services that will provide support for the automation of several such processes in an integrated
environment.

Participating in the above project will allow successful interns to enhance their skills on building large scale complex systems and/or their components in a methodological and modular manner, and testing and integrating them to existing functional systems.

Prerequisites:
Web services
3/n tier architectures
Java programming (EE preferred)
Database design and implementation (MySQL experience preferred)
Content Management Systems (Joomla experience preferred).

4. Network Design and Services
http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/research_NDS.jsp

The Network Design and Services (NDS) group is conducting research in preparation of a Future Internet that will allow for true differentiated quality levels and dependability, exhibit a small energy footprint and provide for seamless user mobility through integration of wired-wireless technologies.

The NDS group offers the opportunity to an excellent intern to be actively involved in one of the hot research problems it is currently working on. Prerequisites: The intern should be self-motivated, possess elementary functional programming (e.g. C programming) skills, preferably with prior exposure at undergraduate level to communication networks and/or optimization.

Intern will be given the opportunity to experience the full cycle of tackling a research problem, from studying state of the art and brainstorming on/proposing a solution approach, up to conducting experiments and reporting important findings and results. Ideally, the internship will be topped by submission of the research outcome to a related journal or conference.

5. Algorithms and Security
http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/research_ALGO_SEC.jsp

The prospective applicant will be asked to work on the development of a system for patient health monitoring and real-time response using sensor networks.

Work in this project will include the following:

- Attach commercially available Micro Power Oximeter Boards on MICA2 sensor nodes and use them to collect patient oxygen saturation readings for the system. The oximeter also takes pulse rate measurements.

- Once the readings will have been received, the sensor node will communicate with the network and transmit them to the base station, where they will be stored in a data base. If the values exceed the normal levels an alert will be issued.

- The system should allow new sensors to be introduced at the system at runtime.

- Eventually, the user (the patient’s doctor) should be also able to query the sensor node (i.e.
patient) using a PDA and take real-time measurements, or query the data base and retrieve the patient’s record and historical data.

Prerequisites: Sensor networks, Programming in TinyOS.

Logistics:

The internship period will cover the months of May, June and July 2010.  The selected interns will have the opportunity to work closely with research group coordinators on specific projects, gain academic, research, and hands-on experience in AIT’s fully-equipped laboratories. Moreover, will be exposed to methods of research, become a part of an international student body and develop a network which will be professionally beneficial, all of which put the intern in a more competitive position through increased, strengthened, and enhanced knowledge and skills.

A stipend of 300 euros per month will be offered to each intern. Accommodation at the AIT dormitory in a shared room (walking distance from AIT http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/facilities.jsp) and one daily meal at the AIT restaurant are also covered.  Interns will be expected to organize and fund their own travel to and from Greece to take part in this program.

Candidates for the specific groups are requested to send their curriculum vitae along with their request to lbar [ a_t ] ait.edu.gr . All internship requests will be reviewed by the respective group coordinators.  Interns will be selected and informed about the decision by the end of March.  Interns selected will be required to submit the following documents:

• one  Recommendation Letter
• official university transcripts
• a copy of passport
• a parental declaration stating that the candidate’s parents allow him/her to participate in the 3-month internship in AIT, in Athens, and are aware of the place of their residence (with parent’s passport number and signature)
• an official letter by the candidate’s university, stating that he/she may attend AIT during the three months

AIT will assist the selected interns in obtaining a visa, in order to be able to travel to Greece.  You may find further information on life in Athens and necessary logistics at http://www.ait.edu.gr/ait_web_site/international_students.jsp

Deadline of applications:  March 22, 2010.

For further information or questions you may contact
Ms. Lara Barbour at lbar@ait.edu.gr
or +30 210 6682704.