Job description
Applications are invited for one PhD position for 3 years at the Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo.
We are looking for a statistician or mathematician with competence in methods for synthetic data generation and statistical modelling of complex multiple dependence. The project will focus on developing new methods for synthetic data generation using the vine pair copula constructions, for specific purposes, including classification, clustering, and prediction. The project will also study ways of measuring the quality of the synthetic data vs the preservation of privacy. The candidate is expected to publish methodological and/or applied papers in high impact peer-reviewed scientific journals, and to present results at scientific conferences, as part of her/his PhD thesis.
More about the position
The Oslo candidate will be employed at OCBE as a PhD student
OCBE has eight professors, five associate professors, fifteen researchers, many post-doctoral fellows and PhD students, making up a group of about 80 scientists. OCBE is internationally recognized, with interests spanning a broad range of areas (including time-to-event models, data integration, causal inference, statistical genomics, Bayesian inference, stochastic simulation algorithms, probabilistic graphical models, machine learning, evolution and population genetics, informative missingness and measurement error models, epidemiological studies of lifestyle and chronic diseases, stochastic models for infectious diseases, high dimensional data and models) and numerous collaborations with leading biomedical research groups internationally and in Norway.
In the last national research evaluation, OCBE was judged as excellent by an international committee. OCBE has a leading role in the centre of excellence for research-based innovation BigInsight, a consortium of academic, industrial and public partners, with a funding of about 4 mil Euro annually until 2023. Professor Arnoldo Frigessi will supervise the PhD student, in collaboration with other specialists in the field. This project is part of BigInsight.
The research fellow must take part in the institutes’s approved PhD program and is expected to complete the project within the three years. The main purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The applicant must, in collaboration with her/his supervisor, within 2 months after employment, have worked out a complete project description to be attached to the application for admission to the doctoral program. For more information, please see our web site (Doctoral degree: PhD in medicine and health sciences – Faculty of Medicine (uio.no).
Qualification requirements
- Master in statistics or mathematics, with a documented competence in statistical modelling of complex dependence and some experience in synthetic data generation. The Master`s degree must have a minimum grade B (ECTS grading scale) or equivalent and include a thesis of at least 30 ECTS. Applicants must have submitted their master thesis before the application deadline and by the start date of the PhD position, the candidate must hold a master’s degree
- Documented high level programming skills in R, Python, C, or equivalent computer languages are necessary
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.
Personal skills
- The candidate is highly motivated to perform her/his research in the projec
- The candidate is used to work in a team and has excellent communication skills
We offer
- Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (position code 1017)
- A unique project, with multiple opportunities to develop research themes at the forefront of modern biostatistics and machine learning
- A friendly, professional and stimulating international working environment
- Access to a network of top level national and international collaborators
- Full health insurance and very attractive welfare benefits of the Norwegian state
- Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
Starting date is as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2022.
How to apply
The application must include
- A short cover letter with your motivation and research experience
- CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
- Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
- If the master is not obtained yet, but the master thesis has been submitted, a statement from the supervisor or the university, stating this fact
- List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link: “Apply for this job”. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to applicant’s academic and personal abilities to carry out the project. Applicants may be called in for an interview, in person or by videolink.
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 appointment may be shortened/given a more limited scope within the framework of the applicable guidelines on account of any previous employment in academic positions.
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. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
Contact information
Professor: Arnoldo Frigessi, +47 95735574, e-mail: frigessi@medisin.uio.no
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences overall objective is to promote basic medical knowledge in order to understand normal processes, provide insight into mechanisms that cause illness, and promote good health. The Institute is responsible for teaching in basic medical sciences for the programmes of professional study in medicine and the Master’s programme in clinical nutrition. The Institute has more than 300 employees and is located in Domus Medica.