Research Associate (Fixed Term) at University of Cambridge

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious post-doctoral research associate to join the MRC Biostatistics Unit to carry out general methodological research relating to Bayesian inference.

The post-holder will focus on developing widely applicable Bayesian statistical methodology that improves the analysis and understanding of biomedical data, particularly relating to population health and/or patients in hospitals. Depending on their background, skills and interests, there are several potential directions that the postholder could pursue. These include (1) computational algorithmic and general methodological developments in Bayesian methods for model integration/data integration, such as building on ideas of Markov melding (https://doi.org/10.1214/18-BA1104 and https://doi.org/10.1007/s11222-022-10086-2) and chained Markov melding (https://doi.org/10.1214/22-BA1327); (2) improving computational and methodological aspects of prior specification in complex models (e.g. building on ideas in https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.08528); or (3) developing and implementing improved Bayesian models and methodology for handling large-scale multi-stream patient-level data extracted from modern hospital Electronic Health Record systems. The postholder will have the opportunity to take a central role in identifying and developing potential methodological developments, critically assessing and refining ideas for their ability to enable substantive biomedical questions to be answered more accurately or efficiently; and implementing and applying the proposed methodological developments to compare performance compared to existing approaches.

You will have, or be close to completing, a PhD in Statistics or a closely-related field. Experience of working with Bayesian statistical methods is essential, as is the potential to develop general Bayesian statistical methodology; prior experience of this is desirable. You will have strong computational skills, with the ability to implement the computational methods you develop. You will also require good communication skills to explain and discuss your work, as well as the ability to write scientific papers. You will have the opportunity to play an active role in the development of the research group, by undertaking and supporting research through introduction of new ideas, publication in leading journals, presentation of research at international workshops/conferences and by training of others. The successful applicant will be supported in their career development with a range of formal courses and on-the-job training.

The MRC Biostatistics Unit undertakes research on statistical methods and their application to the design, analysis and interpretation of biomedical studies, to advance understanding of the cause, natural history and treatment of disease, and to evaluate public health strategies. It is one of Europe’s leading biostatistics research institutions and includes many internationally renowned statisticians. The Unit is situated on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the world’s most vibrant centres of biomedical research, which includes the University of Cambridge’s Clinical School, two major hospitals, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and the world headquarters of Astra Zeneca. The Unit provides a privileged environment for conducting research within the Cambridge biomedical environment.

The Unit is actively seeking to increase diversity among its staff, including promoting an equitable representation of men and women. The Unit therefore especially encourages applications from women, from minority ethnic groups and from those with non-standard career paths. Appointment will be made on merit.

We welcome applications from those wishing to work part-time.

Please contact robert.goudie@mrc-bsu.cam.ac.uk with any informal enquiries. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the apply button above.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and a CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The closing date for applications is: 6th November 2023 

The interview date for the role is: To be confirmed

Please quote reference SL38760 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.