PhD Position in Applied Statistics, Aarhus University, Denmark

PhD position in Applied Statistics in Quantitative Genetics
at the Aarhus University, DJF, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology
Research Group for Bioinformatics, Genetics and Statistics

Closing date for applications: 15 April 2009 at 12.00 noon

Project summary:
The project will develop mathematical and statistical methods for modelling incompletely observed traits (censored or truncated) and events of low frequency in large-scale quantitative genetic studies. The general idea is to explore the close mathematical connection between modern methods of event-history-analysis and nested case-control techniques to develop a range of statistical tools relevant to applications in quantitative genetics. The project is related to an existing research line on livestock quantitative genetics and breeding value prediction at the Research Group of Bioinformatics, Genetics and Statistics. See further details on the project below.

Supervision:
Rodrigo Labouriau (main supervisor), PhD (Mathematical Statistics)
Per Madsen, PhD (Quantitative Genetics)

Application procedure:
* The application should be sent in a single file in pdf format. This file should include the application form and all the documents you want to annex for the evaluation. We will only consider applications meeting all the requirements stated in the official application form
* The application form can be found by clicking here.
* The closing date for applications is 15 April 2009 at 12.00 noon (Danish time, i.e. +1 GWT)
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered!
* Please send your application to the following address: SAFE@agrsci.dk (or click here to send an e-mail applying).

Selection criteria and required qualifications:

Qualifications:
1. A relevant Master's degree (or equivalent), e.g. a master in mathematics/statistics or a master in genetics (but in this case with a very strong mathematical and statistical background, see the selection criteria below)
2. Fluent English spoken and written.

Selection criteria:
The project requires a strong background in statistics and probability theory.
It is necessary that the candidate has already had contact with formal probability theory (e.g. axiomatic treatment of probability, stochastic processes) and theoretical statistics (e.g. classic theory of inference in parametric models, multivariate analysis and models for discrete variables as log-linear models), since it will not be possible (due to time limitations) to build-up these basic skills during the PhD program.
Computer skills and some experience with applied statistics are required.
Knowledge of general biology and specifically basic genetics will be considered an advantage, but will not be a necessary condition.

Employment conditions:
For further information on employment conditions are described in the official announcement that can be found by clicking here.
website link:
http://gbi.agrsci.dk/~rsl/PhDEventHistoryQGenetics/