IMSS Research Fellow in Statistical Science

Department of Statistical Science

Job Description

IMSS Research Fellow in Statistical Science

Department: Statistical Science

Reports to

Head of Department and Director of Research, Department of Statistical Science

Context

The Department of Statistical Science at UCL, located on the first and second floors of 1-19 Torrington Place, is the longest established university statistics department in the world, playing a pioneering role in the development of the subject since its foundation in 1911. It is one of eleven departments in the UCL Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences many other departments, both within the Faculty and outside of it. UCL has a strategic goal of colocating and expanding the departments of Mathematics and Statistical Science, through the of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (IMSS). IMSS aims to be London’s leading centre for research, teaching and collaboration in mathematics and statistics, establishing UCL as a global leader and outward looking centre for the mathematical sciences and its applications.

We teach statistical science at all levels (undergraduate single/combined honours, service courses, MSc and PhD) and carry out research across a wide range of theoretical and applied areas. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise (2021/22), over 97% of our output was classified as “worldleading” or “internationally excellent” in terms of originality, significance and rigour. We consistently score highly in the National Student Survey in the .

The Department holds a Silver Athena SWAN award

Grade: 7

Location: 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB and has close links with Institute Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. We strongly support

UCL’s Equalities and Diversity Strategy and encourage applications to our vacancies from more diverse backgrounds. Flexible working arrangements are available for those who need them and practical support for work-related trips and conference attendance is offered to staff with caring responsibilities.

We run our own seminar series (some of the talks are available at the ), a podcast series (Random Talks) and a magazine ( accounts, including on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and meetings in central London, at the Royal Statistical Society in Errol Street, for example.

A list of current staff in the department is available via our

.

Main purpose of the job

To carry out original independent research, under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator for the selected project. Areas of research include data science, machine learning, biomedical and environmental statistics, causal inference and applied probability. The post-holder will produce work leading to conference presentations and publication in top journals for the relevant field. Appointees will be expected to contribute to the research environment of the departments of Statistical Science through interaction with staff and students and other activities, e.g. by participating in and coorganising events such as the IMSS lecture.

A strictly limited amount of teaching will also be required (around 20% of a typical academic teaching load to maximise time for research). Typical with departmental YouTube channel Sample Space). We also run several social media Facebook. There are many other seminars and website teaching contributions include support tutorial/practical lectures, marking and MSc summer projects (co-)supervision.

The post-holder will typically work within a collaborative environment and have an academic mentor to provide structured support and advice throughout the fellowship.

Duties and responsibilities

Research

• to carry out original independent research of internationally recognized quality in statistical science;
• to publish regularly in high-quality journals and participate in national and international conferences;
• to participate in, and contribute to, departmental seminars and IMSS events, as well as other seminars and workshops within UCL aimed at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.

Teaching

• To contribute to the Department’s teaching at undergraduate and / or postgraduate level, with a total teaching load anticipated to be around 80 hours per year including preparation and assessment time.

Administration

• To undertake light administrative tasks within the Department, in line with responsibilities assigned by the Head of Department; e.g. to contribute to the organisation of IMSS activities; to actively follow institutional and departmental policies on equal opportunities, data protection and other matters;
• to attend staff meetings and training as required;
• to maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.

Professional Development

• to pursue academic excellence through continuing academic, professional and personal development;
• to participate in and contribute to staff review and development.

General

• Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways of Working;
• carry out any other duties within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager;
• this job description may be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Teaching

The Department teaches students taking several specialist and combined degree programmes:

• BSc programmes in Statistics; Statistics and Management for Business; Statistics, Economics and Finance; Statistics, Economics and a Language.
• BSc programme in Data Science.
• BSc (Econ) programme in Economics and Statistics.
• MSci programme in Statistical Science - International Programme.
• BSc and MSci joint programmes in Mathematics and Statistical Science (with UCL Department of Mathematics).
• MSc programmes in Statistics; Statistics (Medical Statistics) and Data Science.
• MPhil / PhD study in Statistical Science.

We teach through practical classes and workshops, project work, diverse applications and involvement with current research projects as well as through lectures and small group tutorials. Teaching occurs as a mixture of face-to-face and hybrid set up. More information on our undergraduate programmes can be found on our website.

We also run courses for undergraduates in Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Clinical Sciences, and contribute to some programmes in other departments including the Economics. Further information may be obtained from our departmental

.

The Department also forms part of the London Taught Course Centre mathematical sciences.

We have one of the largest group of Teaching Lecturers in the UK and are very active in pedagogical research activities. Our Teaching Lecturers group contribute to statistical literacy across UCL and more widely.

Research

Research in Statistical Science is based on a blend of project-based research groups, multidisciplinary collaborations and individual research programmes. The main areas of interest are organised into six themes: Causality; Computational Statistics and Machine Learning; Finance and Business; Environmental Statistics;

Economics.

UCL was a founding member of the Alan Turing Institute role in the Institute’s activities. Together with the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, the Departments of Statistical Science and Computer Science form the Statistics and Machine Learning. The Department also contributes to the UCL Training in Data Intensive Science,the Centre for Doctoral Training in Foundational Artificial Intelligence, the EPSRC Causality in Healthcare AI (CHAI) hub and the Science of Fundamental AI Research Lab (SOFAIR).

In medicine and the Life Sciences, the Department maintains close links with the and the Biomedical Research Centre through joint posts. Another major centre with which the Department has links is CoMPLEX, which life and with MSc programme in Health website (LTCC) for PhD students in the Economics, Probability; and Statistics in Biomedicine and Health for Data Science, and continues to play a major Centre for Computational Centre for Doctoral UCL Medical School brings medical scientists together mathematicians, other physical scientists and engineers to tackle challenges arising from complexity in biology and medicine. The Department contributes to the cross-institutional Health Data Research

UK-Turing Wellcome PhD Programme in Health Data Science health data science.

The Department is active in the environmental sciences, and is a partner in the Training Partnership with strong links to environmental researchers both within and beyond UCL.

The department has around 35 research staff and 50 research students, working on a wide variety of topics.

Equality

UCL is proud of its longstanding commitment to equality and to providing a learning, working and social environment in which the rights and dignity of its diverse members are respected.

Some highlights are listed below.

• Race Charter Mark. UCL holds a Bronze Race Equality Charter Mark award, recognising UCL’s commitment to improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students.
• Athena SWAN. UCL holds an institutional Silver Athena SWAN award – commitment to and impact in addressing gender equality. Departments at UCL are also engaged in the Athena SWAN charter, with 29 departments holding an award; 16 Silver and 13 Bronze.
• Staff networks. We have a number of staff networks that run a range of social and development activities, for example Out@UCL network, Astrea and UCL Women.
• B-MEntor. B-MEntor is a mentoring scheme for black and minority ethnic staff. The mentoring scheme is a collaborative initiative with a number of London-based universities.
• Sabbatical Leave following extended parental leave. UCL provides one term of sabbatical leave without teaching commitments for research-active academics returning from maternity, shared paternity, adoption or long-term carer’s leave. This support for retur to more quickly re-establish their research activity.

, which aims to develop future leaders in London NERC Doctoral this recognises our

, PACT, Enable@UCL, the race equality staff ners enables staff We particularly welcome applications from females and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as these are currently under-represented at UCL, at this level.

Person Specification

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” and describe underneath each criterion how you meet it, giving examples. You will be scored on how you meet each criterion.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

A PhD or equivalent qualification, or evidence of an equivalent level of attainment in research publications, in statistics or a closely related field

A vision of key directions for future research in statistics and related fields Research interests that resonate with those in the Department

Skills and abilities

A proven record of ability to carry out high quality research in a branch of probability or statistics, including conference presentations and publications in highly regarded peer-reviewed journals.

Excellent communication skills (verbal and written); good command of written and spoken English Ability to plan and implement an influential independent research programme.

Ability to teach topics relevant to the needs of the Statistical Science Department Ability to work collegially, collaboratively and flexibly

Ways of Working

Commitment to high quality research

Commitment to equal opportunities and working harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds Commitment to continuous professional development Desirable Criteria

Note to job applicant: copy and paste the following desirable criteria into your “Statement in support of your application” under the Desirable criteria section. Describe underneath each desirable Application criteria whether you meet it and how you meet it, giving examples.

Desirable criteria will only be scored if there is a tie break for shortlisting

Experience of knowledge transfer to the broader community such as public engagement, technology transfer or social enterprise.

Ability to collaborate with researchers in other disciplines Ability to engage effectively with external stakeholders

Applications should include

• a covering letter, outlining your suitability for the role, with particular reference to both research and teaching;
• a curriculum vitae (including list of publications);
• the names and contact details of three referees.

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible. If you wish to discuss the post informally, please contact the Head of Department, Professor Gianluca Baio, email: g.baio@ucl.ac.uk.

Apply

To apply for this position visit: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/and search for IMSS Research Fellow.