The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) is an Executive Agency of the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Agency
provides policy advice and technical support underpinned by high quality
R&D to help DEFRA and other customers safeguard food supplies, protect
consumers and the environment. CSL has three vacancies: one
Biostatistician, and two Risk Analysts (1 permanent, 1
casual) based in York. (Closing date 29/May.)
York Biostatistician post: (http://www.csl.gov.uk/jobs/PDF/csp2576b.pdf)
Purpose of job:
To provide statistical support in relation to a variety of research
projects on ecology, applied biology and food science. The post holder
will be also required to provide general statistics and statistical
computing support for the York site. This will include advising on and
carrying out statistical analyses as well as giving advice on experiment
and survey design.
Background:
The new post holder will join an expanding team providing statistical
services to staff throughout CSL. Statistical advice is needed in all
aspects of CSL's scientific work, with areas such as vertebrate ecology,
agricultural pests and diseases, food science and microbiology making
particularly heavy demands. Most of the work relates to the design and
analysis of experiments and surveys. There will be opportunities for
further training and Continuing Professional Development .
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
·
To conduct statistical analyses on ecological and biological datasets.
·
To provide statistical advice to a variety of research projects.
·
To provide "helpdesk" statistics and statistical computing support.
·
To assist in the design of ecological field surveys and biological
experiments.
·
To assist in the development and maintenance of IntraNet statistics
resources.
Qualifications/Skills/Experience:
Essential:
A degree, or equivalent qualification, in statistics or mathematics or
a degree in a relevant science subject with a strong
statistics/mathematics component. In addition, at least one year's
relevant work experience or a post?graduate degree (MSc, Diploma or PhD)
in statistics or its applications. Candidates without a degree would
need to have a minimum of 4 years relevant experience.
The following are also essential:
·
Demonstrable ability to communicate statistical ideas to
non-statisticians and to understand the scientific principles behind
experimental data.
·
At least one years experience in a high-level statistics package - e.g.
GenStat, MINITAB, SPSS.
·
Excellent computing skills (including common Windows office software,
Excel).
·
Excellent interpersonal skills and the commitment to work as part of a team.
·
Self-motivation and the ability to work unsupervised.
·
Flexible approach to working in a busy and often varied work environment.
Desirable:
·
An additional two years statistics related work experience.
·
Knowledge of regression models (linear, nonlinear, GLM), non-parametric
statistics, multivariate analyses, power analysis, experimental design
and sampling regimes, survey design and analysis.
·
Experience and/or strong interest in applying statistical techniques in
field ecology, applied biology and food science.
·
Professional status such as RSS Chartered Statistician or equivalent.
·
Experience of providing statistical consultancy.
·
Advanced Excel skills including statistical extensions.
·
Experience of relational database and GIS systems.
·
Experience of web programming and site maintenance.
For further details, salary information, etc and an application form,
see http://www.csl.gov.uk/jobs/
Please call me (Alistair) on 01904 462092 should you wish to discuss
the post informally.
York Risk Analyst posts: (http://www.csl.gov.uk/jobs/PDF/csp2636.pdf)
Purpose of the Job:
To carry out quantitative (or probabilistic) risk assessments using a
range of statistical and mathematical techniques, and contribute to the
development of new approaches. The assessments will estimate levels of
risk to human health and the environment from chemicals and other
stressors, and will include quantification of uncertainty.
The post holder will be required to work closely with scientists in the
disciplines relating to the assessments (e.g. food science, ecology) and
with other modellers, statisticians and computing staff as appropriate.
The post holder will also be required to contribute to meetings with
customers and seeking new business in the risk assessment area.
The development of sound, science-based approaches to risk assessment
and risk management is a high priority for national governments, the
European Commission and industry. CSL is at the forefront of developing
probabilistic methods for assessing environmental risks of pesticides in
Europe and is rapidly applying similar approaches in other areas of its
work, from wildlife management to food safety. The new post holder will
play a key role in the continued expansion of this work and development
of new approaches. She or he will report to the leader of CSL’s Risk
Analysis team but will work closely with a range of staff in other teams
in CSL, as appropriate for individual projects.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
· To work with scientists and customers to formulate assessment problems.
· To assemble and use data provided by scientists and customers.
· To build and run statistical/mathematical models and quantify the
uncertainty associated with predictions.
· To produce reports and presentations to communicate results effectively.
Qualifications/Skills/Experience:
Essential:
A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject such as
statistics, mathematics or science with a strong statistics/mathematics
component and at least three years experience in the application of
statistics or mathematics in a relevant science area. Candidates
without a degree would need to have a minimum of six years relevant
experience.
The following are also essential:
· Ability to communicate statistical and mathematical ideas to
non-statisticians.
· Ability to rapidly appreciate the essence of scientific and policy
questions, and propose appropriate modelling approaches to address them.
· Ability to understand the scientific principles behind data from lab
or field experiments and surveys.
· Proven ability to produce clear and effective reports and/or
scientific papers.
· Excellent computing skills (including common Windows office software,
Word and Excel).
· Excellent interpersonal skills and team-working. Self-motivation and
the ability to work unsupervised. Flexible approach to working in a busy
and often varied work environment.
Desirable:
· Experience or qualifications in the application of
statistical/mathematical methods to risk assessment in any field and/or
a strong interest in doing this in the fields of food safety and
environmental science.
· Experience with relevant software e.g. Crystal Ball, @Risk, Genstat,
Matlab, WinBugs, Analytica, Riskcalc.
· Knowledge of Bayesian methods, stochastic modelling, sensitivity
analysis, fuzzy mathematics.
Special factors to be considered:
The work may involve some travel (including international) to visit
customers and to attend meetings, particularly for collaborative
projects. This may occasionally be required at short notice.
For further details, salary information, etc and an application form,
see http://www.csl.gov.uk/jobs/
Please call Andy Hart on +44 (0)1904 462053 should you wish to discuss
the post informally.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alistair Murray MA, MSc, CStat Phone: +44 (0)1904 462092
Senior Biostatistician/WEMA GTN: 5129 2092
Central Science Laboratory Fax: +44 (0)1904 462111
Sand Hutton Email: [log in to unmask]
York YO41 1LZ Web: http://www.csl.gov.uk
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer
The information contained in this message may include privileged,
proprietary or confidential information. Please treat it with the same
respect that you would expect for your own information. If you have
received it in error, we apologise, and ask that you contact the CSL
sender immediately and erase it from your computer. Thank you for your
co-operation.
Further information on confidentiality of our communications, can be
found at http://www.csl.gov.uk/email.htm
|
