PhD student in the Division for Applied Mathematics and Statistics

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

Doctoral position in Applied Mathematics and Statistics

At the division of Applied Mathematics and Statistics we conduct research within the theory and implementation of finite element methods, inverse wave propagation problems, stochastic partial differential equations, geometric numerical integration, optimization, biomathematics, biostatistics, spatial modeling, Bayesian inference, high-dimensional data, large-scale computational methods, and bioinformatics. The division is also expanding in the area of data science and machine learning.  

Our department continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all our activities. We work actively to be a parent-friendly organization.

We are looking for a motivated, independent student with strong computational skills and a broad interest in mathematics, statistics and biology. The project is part of a large research consortium into the modeling of invasive cancer growth. The PhD student will be working closely with systems biology and computational biology research teams at Uppsala and Stockholm University as well as the computational statistics group at Chalmers/GU. The primary research topic is the development of new matrix- and tensor-imputation methods and advanced machine learning strategies for accelerated drug-discovery. The data resources are state-of-the art spatial transcriptomics and CRISPR perturb-seq single cell data and you will be expected to work closely with the teams that generate these data sets in order to ensure that methods are customized to the explicit data challenges at hand.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages. 

https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true   

Subject area

Applied Mathematics and Statistics

Specific subjec description

The PhD position offers an opportunity to conduct research in a collaborative environment. The research project centers on the development of new statistical methodologies for the analysis of high-dimensional biological data obtained through state-of-the-art and novel experimental technologies. A key goal is to propose new therapeutic strategies for brain cancer. As a PhD student your working time will be split between research, teaching and course work. Teaching can take the form of course assistant, lecturer or supervision of Master and Bachelor students. 

The PhD student researcher will join Rebecka Jörnsten’s research group at the Division of Applied Mathematics and Statistics (http://www.math.chalmers.se/~jornsten/). The group comprises 3 PhD students and 3 post-doctoral researchers. The research group is focused on network modeling, data integration and regularization techniques in high-dimensional statistical modeling and neural networks.

At Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, you will be part of a large network of junior and senior faculty doing research in a wide range of statistics and mathematics.

This position is funded through the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and you will join a consortium comprising 5 senior researchers, a large number of postdocs and PhD students as well as technical personal and bioinformaticians.

 

Job assignments 

You will be enrolled in a graduate program at the Department of Mathematical Sciences (https://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/math/research/postgraduate-studies/Pages/Graduate-schools-and-third-cycle-subjects.aspx). During the second half of PhD studies you are expected to develop your own ideas and communicate scientific results orally as well as in written form. In addition, the position will normally include 20 %  departmental work, mostly teaching duties.

The employment is a fixed-term position limited to a maximum of five years, four years of studies and up to one year of departmental work distributed during the whole employment period.

Education at third-cycle level comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.    

  

Eligibility   

Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
   2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
2. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 
    
   

   The eligibility for academic positions is given in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance. To qualify for the position the applicant must have obtained a Master’s degree or a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, mathematical statistics, data science, computational biology, bioinformatics, computational sciences or other relevant field or expect to complete such a degree by September 1, 2023.

   Previous experience with collaborative research, especially in high-dimensional biology,  is meritorious. The applicant should also be experienced in programming (Matlab/Python/R or equivalent languages). Strong communicative skills and fluency in written and spoken English are a requirement.

   Please, include all relevant work such as Bachelor's or Master's thesis and articles (provide an English summary if necessary) that you have authored or co-authored.

Assessment  

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for education on a doctoral level are given in SFS 1998:80.

 

Employment   

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.   

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.    

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.  

 A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years.   

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment
Extent: 100 %
Location: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Gothenburg
First day of employment: August 15, 2023

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.   

  

Application procedure 

Submit the following documents:

• Application letter (max 2 pages) where you introduce yourself and describe your background and research interests
• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Electronic copies of your master and bachelor transcripts
• Copies of your bachelor’s and master’s thesis if available
• Names of at least two reference persons

 

Contact information 

Rebecka Jörnsten, Professor, Project supervisor

+46 760 491949, jornsten@chalmers.se

 

Annika Lang, Professor, Head of Unit of Applied Mathematics and Statistics

+46 31 772 5356, annika.lang@chalmers.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

  

Application   

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.   

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

  

Applications must be received by:  2023-02-24

 

 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

  

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.