Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland (BioSS) seeks to recruit a highly motivated physicist, mathematician, statistician, or quantitative scientist wishing to develop a research career at the rapidly developing interface between statistics and mathematical biology. The post presents a rare opportunity to tackle highly challenging mathematical and statistical problems with genuine biological application.

The main duties of this post include:

1.    development and analysis of stochastic models of biological processes incorporating individual variability and spatio-temporal heterogeneity;

2.    development of methodologies for approximation, parameter inference, model selection and propagation of uncertainty in complex systems;

3.    active collaboration with biological and environmental scientists in the application of existing methods and to inspire further methodological developments;

4.    engaging in knowledge transfer activities, ranging from teaching on short courses for research scientists, to communicating with stakeholders in government, agencies and industry;

5.    development of a personal research portfolio by fostering collaborations and initiating new projects to capitalise on emerging funding opportunities.

The postholder can be based at any of the BioSS sites in Edinburgh, Dundee or Aberdeen, and will work closely with the systems modelling programme leader Glenn Marion (glenn@bioss.ac.uk) at our Edinburgh site.

Candidates should have a strong mathematical or statistical background (PhD or an MSc with at least two years relevant postgraduate experience), excellent communication skills, the ability to work independently, and enthusiasm for advancing scientific research by the proper treatment of variability and uncertainty in mathematical models.  Experience of developing stochastic process models and of inference methods, e.g. using Markov chain Monte Carlo, would be a considerable advantage.

The starting salary will either be in the range £26,088 - £28,986 (Postdoctoral research scientist) or £33,118 - £36,798 (Senior postdoctoral research scientist, requiring a promising publication record and experience of productive collaborations with applied scientists) with excellent employee benefits.

Further background information can be obtained from the BioSS Home Page: www.bioss.ac.uk.

Closing Date - 21st January 2009  

Applications are invited for this post by CV and covering letter, to include:

• education and employment history;

• full publication list;

• names and addresses of three referees;

• a short description of why you consider yourself suitable for this post.
  

Please send applications by email to applications@bioss.ac.uk, quoting the reference number BioSS/4/8.

Potential applicants should contact Glenn Marion (glenn@bioss.ac.uk), leader of BioSS research in process & systems modelling (tel +44 (0)131 650 4898) in confidence to discuss the post.

Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) is formally part of The Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), a Scottish charity No. SC006662 and an equal opportunities employer.