Applications are invited for the following four PhD fellowships in the School of Mathematical Sciences, University College Dublin. These positions are funded through the INSIGHT Centre for Big Data Analytics. This is a joint initiative between researchers at University College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Cork, and Dublin City University, as well as other partner institutions. It will bring together a critical mass of more than 200 researchers from Ireland's leading ICT centres to develop a new generation of data analytics technologies in a number of key application areas.
1. Statistical estimation of low-rank matrices and recommender systems, supervised by Dr. Pierre Alquier.
In many statistical applications, the parameter to be estimated is a (potentially very large) matrix M from a relatively small number of observations. A typical example is given by user-items data sets: each row of the matrix represents a user, each column an item, the few entries of the matrix are the rates given by users to item they bought. The objective is to complete the matrix in order to provide good recommendations to the users. Applicants should have a strong interest in computational statistics.
2. Bayesian inference for large data using composite likelihoods, supervised by Prof. Nial Friel.
Composite likelihoods offer the potential to provide efficient approximate inference for statistical models with complicated likelihoods. This project will explore their use in the context of Bayesian inference with particular emphasis in situations where the data is massive. This project should appeal to applicants with strong interests in Bayesian statistics and Monte Carlo methods. Experience in computational statistics, especially parallel computation would be an advantage.
3. Statistical modelling approaches to network analytics, supervised by Dr. Claire Gormley.
Applicants should have experience and/or interest in multivariate analysis, longitudinal data modelling, categorical data analysis and the Bayesian paradigm. Interest in computational statistics would also be of benefit.
4. Statistical methods for ranked preference data, supervised by Prof. Brendan Murphy.
Applicants should have experience and an interest in multivariate analysis, statistical modeling and statistical computing. A background in algebra would be a benefit for this project.
The starting date for all projects is October 1st, 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter. Each fellowship covers PhD fees and attracts a stipend averaging 18,000 euro per annum for four years.
Applications consisting of a cover letter and curriculum vitae (including the names and contact details of three referees) should be sent to the relevant project supervisor:
Dr. Pierre Alquier ([log in to unmask]), Prof. Nial Friel ([log in to unmask]), Dr. Claire Gormley ([log in to unmask]) or Prof. Brendan Murphy ([log in to unmask]).
The closing date for all applications is 5pm Friday September 6th. Late applications will not be considered.
You may leave the list at any time by sending the command
SIGNOFF allstat
to [log in to unmask], leaving the subject line blank.
|