statistical model | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans

Research Fellow in Machine Learning and Computational Neurolinguistics, Australia

The Centre for Language Technology (CLT) invites applications for a Research Fellow position in Machine Learning and Computational Neurolinguistics. The appointee will work on projects funded by Macquarie University and/or the Australian Research Council. She/he will use statistical models and machine learning techniques to construct computational models of incremental human sentence processing (including incremental syntactic parsing), and use these to predict neural activity (measured using MEG and other imaging technologies) in human language processing.
Duties include carrying out research and data analysis, developing and extending mathematical models of language comprehension, model design and implementation, interacting and collaborating with our growing research team of computational linguists, machine-learning specialists and neuroscientists at Macquarie University.
Essential Criteria for appointment at Level A/B: PhD (or submitted PhD thesis) in computational linguistics or machine learning or equivalent experience; publications in the computational linguistics and/or machine learning; ability to develop and implement probabilistic models; a pragmatic attitude to system development; software engineering skills; excellent communication skills; ability to work as a member of a team.

Scholarship Application Deadline:1 May 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Research Fellowship in Statistics, United Kingdom

Applications Are Invited For A One Year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship At The University Of Southampton, Within The Southampton Statistical Sciences Research Institute This Fellowship Is Part Of The Multi-Disciplinary Research Project “Quantification And Reduction Of Uncertainty For Dispersion Models Via Meteorological Predictions Through Computer Experiments”, Which Is A Collaboration Between The University Of Southampton, Dstl And The Met Office. You Will Have A Phd In Statistics, Or Equivalent Research Experience. A Background In The Design And Analysis Of Experiments, Statistical Modelling Or Computer Experiments Is Desirable. The Main Role Of The Fellow Will Be To Conduct High-Level Statistics Research Into The Design And Analysis Of Computer Experiments.The Post Will Commence On Monday 4 April 2011, Or As Soon As Possible Thereafter.
Scholarship Application Deadline: 14/02/2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD Researcher for “Heterogeneity in Studies with Discrete-Time Survival Endpoints: Implications for Optimal Designs and Statistical Power Analysis”, Netherlands

This project is funded by a VIDI grant from the Netherlands’ Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). The PhD student will spend time on doing research, following mathematics and statistics courses of IOPS and other institutes, and spend about 10% of the time on teaching courses at the BSc level. The PhD student will be supervised by Dr M. Moerbeek.

The aim of trials on event occurrence is to study if and when a particular event, such as onset of daily smoking or entry into parenthood, occurs. The timing of events may be in thin and precise units or in coarser intervals. In the second case one does not know the exact timing of the event; one only knows that it occurred within a particular time interval. Such discrete-time survival data are typically analyzed on basis of a generalized linear model, such as a logistic regression model.

The main research question in any trial is whether an experimental treatment differs from a control with respect some outcome variable. As many covariates or background variables, such as age and socio-economic status, may have an effect on the outcome they should be measured and included in the statistical model. Ignoring such variables may result in biased estimates of the treatment effect estimator and hence incorrect conclusions with respect to the effect of treatment.

The aim of this project is to investigate to what extent such biases occur and how they can be corrected for in the statistical model. We will also focus on the optimal design of trials with covariates and discrete-time survival data. The PhD student will write papers in international scientific journals, contribute to international conferences and write a PhD thesis.

Qualifications:

  • MSc in applied statistics, biometrics, biostatistics, econometrics, psychometrics or a related field with a solid background in applied statistics.
  • Applicants should be familiar with the generalised linear model, matrix algebra, research designs and have some experience with computer programming.
  • The applicant communicates easily in English, both verbally and in writing.
  • The starting date is January 2011.

    Contact Person: ms. Dr M. Moerbeek (supervisor), phone (+31) 30 253 1450,
    email: M.Moerbeek@uu.nl, website: http://www.fss.uu.nl/ms/moerbeek.

    How to apply:

    Please send your written application, with motivation, curriculum vitae, list of courses and grades and contact information of two referees before August 25th, 2010 and specifying vacancy number 691021.

    Applications can be emailed to: PenO.FSW@uu.nl or be sent to:
    Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Personnel Department, attn. Mr. M. Azdoufal, P.O Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands.