IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE, LONDON, UK.
DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
TWO PHD STUDENTSHIPS IN STATISTICS
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1. EPSRC/MAGNOX ELECTRIC CASE AWARD IN STATISTICS
Modelling and Analysis of Reactor Radiation Damage
Imperial College Department of Mathematics, in conjunction with
Magnox Electric PLC, offer an EPSRC CASE studentship in
statistics, commencing 1 October 1999. The project involves
the application of Bayesian statistical techniques to a
complex data analysis problem in the physical sciences.
Magnox Electric employ surveillance schemes to monitor the effects
of neutron irradiation and thermal aging on reactor pressure
vessel materials. Such studies eventually form part of
a systematic probabilistic risk assessment
of reactor safety.
Attempts have been made to model the observed data statistically
in terms of a parameterized non-linear regression function of test
temperature, in which the parameters are themselves dependent on
irradiation dose. The resulting models are very complicated and
have required the development of tailored versions of Markov chain
Monte Carlo simulation methods
The project poses novel problems in statistical modelling,
computation and experimental design. The CASE student would therefore
receive important research training in the areas of;
- hierarchical, non-linear regression modelling
- the analysis of mixture models in a non-linear setting
- Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation methods for the
Bayesian statistical analysis of complex multiparameter
likelihoods
- experimental design for non-linear regression
- measurement problems associated with an important technological
setting
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain at least an Upper Second
Class degree in a subject with significant mathematical,
statistical or physical science content.
Applications and/or requests for information to:
Dr. David Stephens
Department of Mathematics
Imperial College London
Huxley Building
180 Queens Gate
LONDON
SW7 2BZ
Tel: 0171 594 8518
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
2. EPSRC EARMARKED PHD PROJECT STUDENTSHIP IN STATISTICS
Wavelet Thresholding: Analysis of turning points
Imperial College Department of Mathematics offers a PhD studentship
in statistics commencing 1st October 1999.
Wavelet thresholding provides a simple technique for removing noise
from a signal by thresholding the output of the Discrete Wavelet
Transform (DWT) of "noisy" data.
This project will seek to quantify the differences between wavelet
thresholding methods as a means of smoothing/de-noising against more
traditional methods such as spline and kernel smoothing.
Specifically, one point of interest is examining the number of
false inflection points or convexity change points of wavelet
estimators compared to those arising in more traditional methods.
In addition, the project will aim to develop new wavelet methods that
preserve the desirable features of kernel and spline smoothing, whilst
maintaining the useful ability of wavelets to adapt to local features.
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain at least an Upper Second
Class degree in a subject with significant mathematical or statistical
content.
In addition to the usual bursary associated with an EPSRC studentship,
there is also an allocation of funds for computing and travel.
Applications and/or requests for information to:
Dr. Emma McCoy
Department of Mathematics
Imperial College London
Huxley Building
180 Queens Gate
LONDON
SW7 2BZ
Tel: 0171 594 8553
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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The Statistics Group at Imperial College offers a stimulating
and well-resourced environment for postgraduate study.
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