Dear All

The University of Wollongong is funding a PhD scholarship in small  
area modelling and estimation that is open to non-Australian/NZ  
applicants. Details below. I would be grateful if you could bring it  
to the attention of anyone you think might be interested.

Cheers

Ray Chambers

Ph.D Scholarships at the University of Wollongong



Applications are invited for three full-time PhD scholarships (2 x  
Australian Postgraduate Award – Industry) and (1 x University  
Postgraduate Award and HDR Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship),  
tenable at the University of Wollongong within the Faculty of  
Informatics. The APA(I) scholarships are funded by an ARC Linkage  
Project grant, New Methods for Small Group Analysis from Sample  
Surveys, awarded to Professor Ray Chambers and Professor David Steel  
of the University of Wollongong. The industry partners are the  
Methodology Division of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the  
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, the Centre  
for Epidemiology and Research at NSW Health and the Public Health  
Intelligence unit at the New Zealand Ministry of Health.


Accurate data for population sub-groups and between small areas are  
fundamental to good policy decisions in health, environment,  
economics and social issues. Unfortunately, national and state  
averages of statistics on unemployment, salinity, drought impact, and  
health often hide large differences at lower levels of aggregation.  
This local variation needs to be understood so that effective  
policies can be developed and carried out efficiently and their  
impact monitored. Using statistical models that combine survey data  
with other information about the groups of interest, this project  
will develop robust and efficient methods for providing information  
on these variations using data from large-scale national and state  
surveys. In particular, the aim will be to create new cost-effective  
methods that address the increasing demand for high quality  
statistics about the distribution of important social, economic,  
health and environmental variables within local areas and small  
population sub-groups. Implications for survey design for outputs at  
these levels will be determined, as will robust and efficient methods  
for analysing these data. This will lead to significant improvements  
in the data available for such groups and areas, allowing better  
targeting of policies aimed at addressing local differences.


The students involved in the project will develop skills in sample  
survey analysis, the theory and methods of modeling data with group  
structure and methods for small area estimation. Many of these topics  
are at the forefront of statistical research. The project will  
involve the development of innovative methodologies that will be  
directly applicable by the industry partners as well as by other  
organisations of great practical importance to Australia.


The students will work in a vibrant and growing research centre, the  
Centre for Statistical and Survey Methodology, at the University of  
Wollongong. The Centre comprises 10 academic statisticians, including  
four professors, and 15 PhD students. The project will involve joint  
work with, and visits to, the industry partners in Canberra, Sydney  
and Wellington, which will enhance the quality and relevance of the  
research and will provide the student with valuable insights into  
applied statistical research in government agencies.


The value of the APA(I) scholarships are currently AUS$25,627 per  
year for three years. The UPA will also provide a stipend of AUS 
$25,627 per year for 3 years while the HDR Tuition Fee Exemption  
Scholarship will cover the full fee charged by the University for the  
degree of the PhD for 3 years. There may be opportunities to  
supplement this with tutoring or other casual work. Additional  
funding is available for computing equipment and travel. The project  
involves collaboration with researchers at the University of Pisa in  
Italy and the Centre also has close ties with the University of  
Manchester and the University of Southampton in the UK and there may  
be opportunities for students to visit these institutions.


APA(I) scholarships are open only to Australian citizens, Australian  
permanent residents and New Zealand citizens. However, the UPA is  
also open to international applicants. Applicants should have an  
Honours 1 or 2(1) degree in Statistics, or an equivalent  
qualification, by the end of 2007, strong research potential and be  
able to commence by the end of February 2008. Applications, including  
a curriculum vitae, academic transcript and contact details of two or  
more referees should be sent to Prof Ray Chambers, Centre for  
Statistical and Survey Methodology, School of Mathematics and Applied  
Statistics, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522. Closing date: Friday  
September 28, 2007. Australian and New Zealand citizens and  
Australian permanent residents should also include proof of  
citizenship or permanent residency.


We welcome enquiries about the project or the Centre. For more  
information, please contact Professor Ray Chambers, ph (61) 2  
42213809, email [log in to unmask] or Professor David Steel, ph (61) 2  
42213823, email [log in to unmask]



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Ray Chambers
Professor of Statistical Methodology
Centre for Statistical and Survey Methodology
School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics
University of Wollongong
WOLLONGONG NSW 2522
Australia
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Phone Numbers
Office: (02) 4221 3809
School Office:  (02) 4221 3845
School Fax: (02) 4221 4845
Home: (02) 4225 0725
Email
Work (Oz): [log in to unmask]
Work (UK): [log in to unmask]
Home: [log in to unmask]