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Postdoctoral position in MCMC analysis of ancient migration patterns among
human populations. Job Ref 24/2R/01. Closing date 8th Feb 02.
Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry UK.
Key words: spatial migration, gene flow, data analysis, MCMC, Bayesian
analysis, phlogenetics, coalescence theory, microsatellites
A postdoctoral position (RA1A) is available in the Mathematics Institute to
work on a project using genetic data to analyse the ancestry of modern
human populations, and in particular to estimate historical patterns of
migration. The post is available for up to 3 years in a vibrant group
consisting of 2 students, 5 postdocs and 3 permanent staff. The successful
candidate will work with Nigel Burroughs in Warwick and Bill Amos in Cambridge
(Zoology Department). The project is based around a successful Markov chain
Monte Carlo algorithm. The successful applicant will develop and extend this
algorithm to incorporate population flow and analyse population heterogeneity
using data from African, Chinese, European and Indonesian populations.
The ideal candidate should have a PhD in mathematics, physics or statistics, and
have experience in any one or more of the following areas: probability theory,
Bayesian and likelihood estimation, Markov chain Monte Carlo methods,
programming (C,C++), spatial statistics.
Further details can be found at http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb/,
http://www.warwick.ac.uk/jobs/job13363.html
Salary £17,451 - £26,229 pa. Applications should be made to the
Personnel Office, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL. See web page
for application form http://www.warwick.ac.uk/jobs/job13363.html
Closing date 8th February 02. Starting date asap.
Please quote reference 24/2R/01.
Enquiries welcome:
Dr Nigel Burroughs, [log in to unmask], tel (+44) (0)2476524682, or
Dr. Bill Amos tel (+44) (0)1223 336616
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Further particulars: MCMC analysis of ancient migration patterns among
human populations. Job Ref 24/2R/01.
Migration between populations has been of interest since the seminal works of
Wright and his construction of F-statistics based on the coalescent process.
More advanced techniques using sophisticated statistical simulation methods such
as MCMC are now available, and give greater power and information on the
underlying population interrelationships. This has the potential to
significantly contribute to the ongoing debate concerning the origin of humans,
including the out of africa hypothesis/Garden of Eden model.
Y chromosome microsatellite data from a range of populations throughout Europe,
Africa, China and Indonesia will be analysed, primarily by Markov chain Monte
Carlo (MCMC) coalescent methods, to examine ancestral relationships between
populations and the degree of migration and mixing. Our MCMC algorithm
[Copper et al PNAS 96, 11916-11921] will be developed to include migration
between populations. Other methods will be used for comparison, including MCMC
likelihood methods and R_ST statistics.
Basic MCMC methodology in a variety of contexts can be found in Gilks et al,
Markov Chain Monte Carlo in Practice, 1997, Chapman & Hall.
The ideal candidate should have a PhD in mathematics, physics or statistics, and
have experience in any one or more of the following areas: random process
theory, probability theory, Bayesian and likelihood estimation, Markov chain
Monte Carlo methods, hypothesis testing, programming (C,C++), spatial
statistics.
The appointment will be on the RA1A scale £17,451 - £26,229 pa for up to
3 years. Starting date ideally before June 02, closing date for applications 8th
Feb 02. Interviews will take place in Feb/March 02.
Method of application
Completed application forms, covering letter, and a full cv giving details of
publications, experience, research interests etc., (both copies) should be
returned to the Personnel Office, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL
quoting Ref No 24/2R/01 (please mark clearly on envelope). Closing date for
applications 8th Feb 2002. Video link may be used to interview candidates
outside of the EU. See web pages for appointment conditions.
___________________________________________________
Dr Nigel Burroughs,
Mathematics Institute,
University of Warwick,
Coventry CV4 7AL. UK.
Tel: 024 76 524682.
Fax: 024 76 524182.
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Web pages:
Home page http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb/
Group page http://www.maths.warwick.ac.uk/~njb/group.html
Mathematics in Medicine Initiative page http://www.mimi.warwick.ac.uk/
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