Job description

Position as PhD Research Fellow in statistics is available at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Oslo, Norway.

If the successful candidate has a good knowledge of one Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish), the fellowship will be for a period of 4 years, with 25 % compulsory work (teaching responsibilities at the Department). Otherwise, the fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with no compulsory work.

Starting date no later than October 1, 2021.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo

More about the position

This is an opportunity to join one of Europe’s most active statistics and data science communities. The research fellow will be attached to the Section for Statistics and Data Science, which consists of 8 full time academic positions, 8 adjunct positions and several PhD students and post doc’s, making up a group of about 30. Statistics at UiO is internationally recognized, with interests spanning a broad range of areas (including high-dimensional and big data, nonparametric inference, algorithmic methods, machine learning, graphical modeling, Bayesian inference, statistical computing, model selection, time-to-event models, space time models and copula models).

The announced position is in statistics, but it has a strong focus on machine learning. The project will be in the emerging field of computational causal inference, and the focus will be on developing methods for inferring causal relationships from data using the framework of probabilistic graphical models. The project will involve steps from the whole method development pipeline; from method design and implementation to validation, and finally application to real-world problems.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in statistics or a closely related field with proven competence in statistics and mathematics
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system.
• Documented programming skills (preferably in R) are desirable.
• Experience in machine learning is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2021 to complete the final exam.

Grade requirements:

The norm is as follows:

• the average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• the Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/

http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

Personal skills:

• High motivation and potential for a research career.
• Resourceful, structured, and solution-oriented.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of team.

We offer

• Salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Career development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests (max 2 pages)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Applicants may be called in for an interview in person or by zoom.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. We also want to have employees with diverse expertise, combinations of subjects, life experience and perspectives. We will make adjustments for employees who require this.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

• Johan Pensar, e-mail: johanpen@math.uio.no, or
  
• Geir Olve Storvik, phone: +47 22855894, e-mail: geirs@math.uio.no

For question reguarding our recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Nina Holtan, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

Apply for this job