Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow: “Statistical Analysis of Manifold Valued Data”

Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow: “Statistical Analysis of Manifold Valued Data” University of Nottingham, UK

Research Associate/Fellow (Two posts, Fixed-term) Reference: SCI1249 Closing Date: Monday, 22nd April 2013 Job Type: Research & Teaching Department: School of Mathematical Sciences Salary: £24766 to £36298 per annum, depending on skills and experience (minimum £27,854 per annum with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance.

Applications are invited for the above post to work with Professor Ian Dryden, Dr Huiling Le, Dr Simon Preston and Professor Andrew Wood on an EPSRC-funded project entitled “Statistical Analysis of Manifold-Valued Data”. This project will develop novel statistical methods for regression modelling and analysis of data in which the response has non-Euclidean structure. Such data is often referred to as manifold-valued data, examples of which are position on a sphere, the orientation of an object, and the shape of an object. Current statistical methods for such data are under-developed and often inadequate, especially in a regression modelling context. Both parametric and nonparametric approaches will be developed, within both Bayesian and non-Bayesian frameworks. Specific statistical modelling problems that the project will focus on have arisen naturally through inter-disciplinary collaborations, principally in biology, medicine and the health sciences.

Candidates must hold or be near completion of a PhD, or equivalent, in a relevant branch of statistics or a closely related discipline. A good knowledge of statistical theory and strong programming skills (preferably in Matlab or R) are essential. In addition, background in more than one of the following areas is highly desirable: statistical analysis of manifold-valued data, Markov chain Monte Carlo, bootstrap methods, nonparametric regression, probability theory, differential geometry. Candidates should be confident, organised, have good communication skills and enjoy working as part of a team as well as independently. The successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the publication of scientific papers, and to their dissemination at relevant workshops and conferences. They should have evidence that the quality and quantity of their previous research outputs is commensurate with their level of experience. These two full-time positions are available from 1 October 2013 and will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 36 months.

For information about the School of Mathematical Sciences, which has strong and active research groups in areas including Statistics and Mathematical Medicine and Biology, see: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mathematics/index.aspx.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor A T A Wood email: Andrew.Wood@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

For full details and information about how to apply for the posts see: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/SCI1249