2 POST DOC POSTITIONS IN STATISTICAL ECOLOGY

The International Society for Bayesian Analysis; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 36,828 - 42,408; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious European university in Helsinki seeks two post doc researchers in statistical ecology to develop methodologies for analyzing ecological data. Candidates should have a PhD and experience with Bayesian methods. The role offers a monthly salary of 3300 – 3800 euros, based on qualifications and experience. For more details, contact the provided professors via email.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and applying Bayesian methods for complex problems.
• Prior experience with multivariate generalized linear mixed models is highly valued.
• Knowledge in ecological data analysis is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop statistical methods for analyzing long-term ecological data.
• Engage in statistical analyses within the Research Centre for Ecological Change.
• Focus on developing Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities.

Skills

Experience in Bayesian methods

Multivariate generalized linear mixed models

Factor models

Gaussian processes

Scientific computing

Ecology experience

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

2 Post Doc Positions in Statistical Ecology

The Department of Biosciences at the University of Helsinki invites applications for 2 post doc positions in statistical ecology for a fixed term of three years.

The overreaching aim of the Research Centre for Ecological Change is to generate a coordinated analysis of long-term ecological data to understand impacts of global change. The project takes advantage of unique long-term datasets collected in Finland and develops state-of-the-art methodology for analyzing long-term spatially structured data sets within a joint species distribution modeling framework.

The salary of the successful candidate will be based on level 5 – 6 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary will be approximately 3300 – 3800 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience.

The post docs will take part in the development of statistical methods for analyzing long-term ecological data and in statistical analyzes within the Research Centre for Ecological Change. The methodological work will focus on development of Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (HMSC) and hierarchical multivariate Gaussian processes.

A successful post doc candidate will have experience in the development and application of Bayesian methods for computationally challenging problems. Prior experience in multivariate generalized linear mixed models, factor models, and/or Gaussian processes is highly valued. Experience in scientific computing and ecology is also an advantage.

For more information, contact Professor Otso Ovaskainen and/or Assistant Professor Jarno Vanhatalo by email: [e-mail], [e-mail]

References:

• Ovaskainen, O., Tikhonov, G., Norberg, A., Blanchet, F. G., Duan, L., Dunson, D., Roslin, T. and Abrego, N. 2017a. How to make more out of community data? A conceptual framework and its implementation as models and software. Ecology Letters 20, 561-576
• Ovaskainen, O., Tikhonov, G., Dunson, D., Grøtan, V., Engen, S., Sæther, B.-E. and Abrego, N. 2017b. How are species interactions structured in species rich communities? A new method for analysing time-series data. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 284, 20170768.
• Vanhatalo, J., Hosack, G. R. and Sweatman, H. (2017). Spatio-temporal modelling of crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef to inform control strategies. Journal of Applied Ecology, 54:188-197.
• Hartmann, M., Hosack, G. R., Hillary, R. M. and Vanhatalo, J. (2017). Gaussian process framework for temporal dependence and discrepancy functions in Ricker-type population growth models. Annals of Applied Statistics, in press: http://imstat.org/aoas/next_issue.html

The deadline for submitting the application is 7 October 2017. A link to the University of Helsinki Recruitment System where applications can be submitted will be available after mid-September at: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/research-centre-for-ecological-change