About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD fellowship in Spatio-Temporal Statistics in an SPDE framework at the Department of Mathematical Sciences at NTNU.

The goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. The successful candidate will be offered a three-year position.

The Department may offer a twelve-month extension with teaching duties.

The workplace will be Trondheim.

Duties of the position

An important driver for research in spatio-temporal statistics has been a constant desire for increased computational efficiency to allow larger datasets and more complex models. In this context, stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) provide a link between Gaussian random fields (GRFs) and fast computations through numerical methods for solving differential equations. However, the link between SPDEs and GRFs also provides a tool to study the mathematical properties of GRFs through their corresponding SPDEs.

The goal of this project is to develop new spatio-temporal models specified by SPDEs, study the models’ properties through their SPDEs, and quantify the errors introduced by computational approximations. This project will involve aspects of statistics, numerics and mathematics, and aims to strengthen the foundation for data-based modelling built on the combination of partial differential equations and statistical modelling. The position is funded by the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering under the strategic research area “Data Science”.

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in Mathematical Sciences or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. You must meet the requirements for admission to the PhD programme in Mathematical Sciences (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phma). Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

Master of Science students who expect to complete their master’s degree studies in fall 2021 are also encouraged to apply. Employment will then be postponed until the master’s degree is finished.

The applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language must document a thorough knowledge of English (equivalent to a TOEFL score of 600 or more).

Other qualifications:

• Knowledge about statistical inference.
• Basic knowledge of partial differential equations or their numerical approximations.
• Basic training in mathematical analysis (including metric and Hilbert spaces).

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) and Philosodophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant  

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge about spatial statistics
• Knowledge about computational statistics or the finite element method
• Knowledge about partial differential equations or SPDEs
• Knowledge about programming
• Good language skills: Written and oral English and if possible, also Norwegian skills.

Strong skills in some areas can compensate for weak or lack of skills in others.

Personal characteristics

We are looking for someone who

• is highly motivated for the position;
• is hard working and interested in learning new topics;

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 482 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. The department may offer a twelve-month extension as a teaching assistant.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Mathematical Sciences (https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/phma) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include: 

• CV, certificates and diplomas 
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted. 
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position. 
• Documentation of language skills.
• Name and address of 2 referees.
• If you have publications or other relevant research work.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates. 

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

In accordance with The Public Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Geir-Arne Fuglstad, telephone +47 73591699, email geir-arne.fuglstad@ntnu.no .

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2021/33007 when applying.

Application deadline: 01.08.2021.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Mathematical Sciences 

We are Norway’s largest university environment in mathematical sciences. 

The Department has a particular responsibility for all basis education in mathematical sciences for engineering and natural science students at NTNU. We focus on long-term basic research and applied research at a high international level. 

Our aim is to meet the society’s needs for mathematical and statistical expertise in business and public administration as well as in the research and education sector.  The Department of Mathematical Sciences is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 1st August 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Project
Place of service Trondheim