Job description

A PhD research fellowship in statistics and data science is available at the Department of Mathematics of the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway. The fellowship is for a period of 3 years, with starting date to be agreed upon, but not later than October 1st 2021.

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

This is an opportunity to join one of Europe's most active statistics and data science communities. The Section for Statistics and Data Science at the Department of Mathematics currently includes 8 full time academic positions in statistics, 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, Bayesian inference, statistical computing, model selection, time-to-event models, space-time models and copula models) and applications (e.g. genomics, sensor data, anomaly and change point detection, immunology, social sciences). The section has a major role in the center for research-based innovation Big Insight, a consortium of 15 academic, industrial and public partners, with a funding of about 4 million Euro annually in the period 2015-2023. In total, the statistics research community in Oslo includes more than a hundred researchers.

The PhD position is part of the Big Insight research activities. Big Insight develops original statistical and machine learning methodologies and analytical and computational tools to extract knowledge from complex and big data, addressed towards innovation.

This particular position is devoted to an area that is of importance in several of the projects within Big Insight, namely dependence modelling. The data one encounters typically consist of observations from many and also dependent variables, of which some are continuous and some discrete. Such data may for instance be modelled with a copula. However, most estimation and model selection methods for copulas are developed for continuous data. Methodological development will therefore consist in both model building and developing inferential tools, including computational methods.

The successful candidate will work on methodological advances in statistics/data science to respond to the challenges of dependence modelling relevant for the other activities in Big Insight. The PhD research project will be performed in close contact with industrial partners in the center.

The PhD studies at the University of Oslo are characterized by a very strong research component: the PhD thesis usually includes several papers which are published in leading scientific journals, while the candidates are also required to take a small number of advanced courses as part of the training component of their degree.

Big Insight and the University of Oslo offer a lively and socially exciting environment, with a broad visitor program with international guests from the best universities. Generous funding for travelling to conferences and summer schools is available.

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 related quantitative subject 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

Candidates without a Master's degree have time until 31 August 2021 to complete the final exam.

• The ideal candidates have some experience in statistical and probabilistic methodology, and an outstanding potential and genuine interest to develop statistical methodology that solves key problems for the BigInsight consortium. Excellent programming capacity is required.
• The working language is English and excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is required:

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

Grade requirements:

The minimum 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

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

Personal skills

We seek highly motivated and skilled persons, able to work effectively as part of a team, who are eager to both gain and share insight while being focused on publishing papers in leading international journals.

We offer

• Salary NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position 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, explaining why you are interested in this particular position (max 1 page)
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records from both the bachelor and the master degree and letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of own publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee, including a copy of the master thesis, or a link to it, if available
• Names and contact details of 2 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.

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.

If there are qualified applicants with special needs, gaps in their CVs or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant in each of these groups to an interview.

Contact information

For further information regarding the positions, please contact: Professor Ingrid K. Glad, glad@math.uio.no.

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact: HR adviser Nina Holtan, nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

Apply for this job