PhD placement opportunity
The post, which comes with a £14,057 stipend, is being offered by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS).
Applications are sought from candidates with a background in mathematical or related disciplines, and an interest in the application of mathematical and statistical methods to biology, for a PhD combining novel statistical and modelling techniques to tackling diseases of major importance to the aquaculture industry. The research will provide insight into diseases such as infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) and pancreas disease (PD), which are responsible for significant economic losses to the industry, using datasets from the Institute of Aquaculture. This will provide a means to estimate critical parameters as well as extend understanding of the potential performance of control options. The work will also have applicability to other aspects of aquacultural epidemiology, and it is anticipated that this will initiate a line of research with significant future potential.
Applicants must have or expect to gain an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a mathematical or related discipline. The successful candidate is required to have a broad range of skills, ideally including experience with mathematical and numerical approaches, such as mathematical modelling and Bayesian statistics. Desirable computing skills include R, C++ and Matlab, as well as the ability to work with a variety of domain specific computational frameworks. Excellent communication skills, particularly between disciplines and to non-specialists, and the ability to assimilate knowledge from a range of disciplines are also essential.
This studentship is funded to pay the tuition fees of UK/European Union nationals only. Candidates from countries outside the EU will be liable for the difference between ’home student fees’ and ’international student fees’ which was £12,554 in 2014/15 but is likely to increase slightly each year. Non-EU students who wish to be considered for this studentship must confirm their ability to pay the international portion of the fee. If selected, financial assurances will be required. The stipend for this 3.5 year studentship is £14,057 per annum, with an anticipated start date of 1st October 2015. The student will be registered for a PhD at the University of Stirling and will be based at SRUC’s Roslin Institute Building or Stirling University. Regular travel between SRUC and Stirling University will be required.
Online applications for this post can be submitted via the SRUC website www.sruc.ac.uk/jobs. Applicants who are unable to access the online application system can request an application pack by contacting audrey.johnstone@sruc.ac.uk (phone 0131 535 4028) quoting reference SRUC/1030397/Davidson. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a completed application form.
To have an informal discussion about this studentship, contact Dr Ross Davidson (ross.davidson@sruc.ac.uk) or Dr Andrew Hoyle (ash@maths.stir.ac.uk). The closing date for the return of applications is 5pm on 21st June and interviews will be held on 25th June.
