PhD position– Statistical models and methods for spatio-temporal data

Updated: about 1 year ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 15 Mar 2023

15th March 2023

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We are looking for a PhD candidate
PhD position– Statistical models and methods for spatio-temporal data
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About the job

The Centre for Geophysical Forecasting (CGF) at NTNU has a vacancy for a PhD position in mathematical statistics.  The Centre is one of the Norwegian centres for research-driven innovation, funded by the Research Council of Norway and industry partners. The goal of the CGF is to become a world-leading research and innovation hub for the geophysical sciences, creating innovative new products and services in earth sensing and forecasting domains. As the global ecosystem enters a period of dramatic change, there is a strong need for accurate monitoring and forecasting of the Earth. Statistical modelling and methodologies play important roles here, enabling reliable predictions and uncertainty quantification that aid decision support.

Key research and innovation areas include new ways to monitor the geological storage of CO2, reconfiguring Earth resources production, and to develop new geohazard early warning systems. The primary focus for the CGF will be to bring valuable, cost-effective and robust geophysical monitoring and forecasting services, creating both new market segments for partners and establishing successful spin off companies.

Norway is already at the forefront of global exploration geophysics. The CGF will catalyse a new wave of geophysical capabilities, much broader than hydrocarbon exploration and production, applying disruptive new technologies to novel enterprises that will be game changers in the transition from hydrocarbon geophysics to the new blue economy and to important terrestrial geohazard risk monitoring and early warning applications. 

The successful applicant will work at the CGF premises at NTNU in Trondheim in our team of key researchers. The PhD research fellowship will be hosted by the Department of Mathematical Sciences, NTNU. The successful candidate will be offered a three-year position. The project has close contact with industry partners Aker BP, ASN, BaneNor, Digital Geologi, Equinor, Magseis Fairfield, NPRA (Statens Vegvesen), NVE, Shearwater, Tampnet, CGG, Evry and Uninett, as well as research partners NORSAR and Jamstec in Japan. 


Duties of the position

The PhD candidate will be conducting statistical research on spatial and spatio-temporal processes that can be used for extracting relevant information from various types of geophysical data. The focus of the PhD project is on the development of new statistical methodologies for analysing geophysical data. Such data include seismic and electromagnetic measurements, as well as newer data types such as fiber-optical sensing data. The projects will also focus on using statistical methodologies for research developments in the centre.

Core components of the PhD project include Bayesian hierarchical modeling and methods for conditioning in such models. We aim for a coherent interpretable modeling approach honoring the large-size spatio-temporal data. The PhD will work on the statistical foundations for such frameworks.

An important part of the PhD project is cooperation with center partners, and in doing so disseminating statistical research and innovation results. The PhD research work will be in statistics, but the student will also be part of a cross-disciplinary team working towards a common goal.

The CGF is determined to deliver research-based innovation, and it will strongly stimulate the PhD candidate to create and develop innovative ideas into business potential both for the centre partners as well as in spin-off companies.


Selection criteria

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a MSc degree in statistics or equivalent, with a keen interest in multidisciplinary scientific research and innovation. 

The candidate must have a solid background in multivariate mathematical and statistical modeling and must document strong skills in computational statistics. Knowledge and experience with spatial statistics or other large-scale uncertain systems is an advantage.

The successful applicant must satisfy the requirements for entering the PhD program at NTNU; please see e.g. http://www.ntnu.edu/ie/research/phd . The admission to PhD education at NTNU requires an average grade of A or B within a scale of A-E for passing grades (A best) for the last two years of the MSc degree, and C or higher for the BSc degree, compared with NTNUs grading scale.

MSc students who expect to complete their Master degree studies by summer 2023 are encouraged to apply.  Employment will then start when the MSc degree is completed.

Applicants who are not fluent in a Scandinavian language must document a thorough knowledge of English (equivalent to a TOEFL score of 600 or more).

The CGF work with data that are subject to export control.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant 


Personal characteristics

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education and experience, as well as personal suitability for this position which include:

  • Willingness to learn new fields in a multidisciplinary research environment.
  • Strong implementation and programming knowledge.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Drive to transition new research results and technologies into innovative products and services.
  • Self-motivated, ambitious, resilient, resourceful, result-oriented, and independent.
  • Excellent writing skills, capable of synthesizing and expressing complex ideas clearly.

We offer
  • exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
  • strong contacts and work integration with industry partners
  • an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
  • favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
  • employee benefits

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 501 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. In some cases, there may be options for extending the contract beyond the PhD by up to an additional year for students strongly engaged in innovation efforts or for some with interest in supplementary teaching.
Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Mathematical Sciences within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants , and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.


About the application

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

  • CV which includes information about education background and work experience.
  • Certified copies of relevant transcripts and diplomas. Candidates from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a Diploma Supplement or similar documentation, which describes in detail the program of study, the grading system, and the rights to further studies associated with the degree obtained.
  • Contact information for two references. 
  • Documentation of fluency in the English language

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here . If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Applicants who have been short-listed will be invited for interviews.


General information

Working at NTNU

NTNU believes that inclusion and diversity is our strength. We want to recruit people with different competencies, educational backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to solving our social responsibilities within education and research. We will facilitate for our employees’ needs.

NTNU is working actively to increase the number of women employed in scientific positions and has a number of resources to promote equality.  

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you want to reserve yourself from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the reservation is not accepted.

Questions about the position can be directed to Jo Eidsvik ([email protected] ).

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.  

Application deadline: 15.03.2023.


NTNU - knowledge for a better world

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.


Department of Mathematical Sciences 

We are Norway’s largest university environment in mathematical sciences. The Department has a particular responsibility for all basis education in mathematical sciences for engineering and natural science students at NTNU. We focus on long-term basic research and applied research at a high international level. Our aim is to meet the society’s needs for mathematical and statistical expertise in business and public administration as well as in the research and education sector.  The Department of Mathematical Sciences is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .


Apply for this job
Deadline

15th March 2023


Employer

NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology


Municipality

Trondheim


Scope

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)


Duration

Project


Place of service

Trondheim


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