Ledig stilling på Universitetet i Oslo

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PhD Research Fellow in Statistics / Data Science

Deadline: 29.02.2020

Job description

Universitetet i Oslo

The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.


Department of Mathematics is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The Department is engaged in research covering a wide spectrum of subjects within mathematics, mechanics and statistics.

Flere stillinger fra Universitetet i Oslo

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Statistics/Data Science is available at the Department of Mathematics.

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with no compulsory work or for a period of 4 years, with 25% compulsory work (teaching responsibilities at the department) contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department.

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

Starting date no later than 01.10.2020.

The position is attached to the Section of Statistics and Data Science at the Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo (UiO). This section consists of 8 full time academic positions, 9 adjunct positions and many PhD-students and post doc’s making up a group of more than 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, Bayesian inference, statistical computing, model selection, time-to-event models, space time models and copula models).

In particular, the position is devoted to carrying out a project in collaboration with the Department of Physics on the development of advanced statistical algorithms for high energy physics. In fact, particle physics is an ideal framework for the development and application of novel statistical learning techniques: the amount of available experimental data is extremely large. The searched-for signals of new physics are rare, while their theoretical description is uncertain and computationally costly, thus requiring advanced approaches to model and separate them from an overwhelming background. Moreover, as in many other fields, there is the need of quantifying the uncertainty around the results obtained with statistical learning methods.

The successful candidate will work on methodological advances in statistics/data science methods to respond to challenges coming from particle physics and will closely collaborate with internationally leading experts on the topic from the Department of Physics.

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.

Qualification requirements:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in statistics, high-energy physics, computational science or a related quantitative subject with proven competence in statistics
  • Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
  • A solid background in scientific computing, with programming skills in R or Python. Knowledge of C++ is an advantage
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
  • Good communication and collaboration skills

Other desired qualifications include:

  • Experience with machine learning
  • Experience with high performance computing

Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2020 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

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/

We offer

  • Salary NOK 479 600 – 523 200 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 rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

  • Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
  • 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.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships 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.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contact information

For further information please contact:

For technical questions regarding the recruitment system please contact: HR adviser Nina Holtan, phone: +47 228 54424, e-mail: nina.holtan@mn.uio.no.

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