Statistics/Economics PhD Scholarship

PhD Position in Statistics / Economics

Georg-August-Universitaet Goettingen - Centre for Statistics

The Centre for Statistics at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany, is inviting applications for a

PhD Position in Statistics / Economics

within the Research Training Group (RTG 1644) on "Scaling Problems in Statistics", funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG).

The highly interdisciplinary Research Training Group aims at the solution of current questions in the areas of agricultural economics, genetics, ecology, econometrics and remote sensing by means of statistical methods, and at the development of the latter. It distinguishes itself through a structured graduation program, joint supervision, and a study program consisting of methodologically oriented lectures and interdisciplinary research seminars.

The Research Training Group involves the Institutes for Mathematical Stochastics, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Agroecology, Animal Breeding and Genetics, Ecosystem Modelling, Forest Inventory and Remote Sensing, Genetic Epidemiology, Statistics and Econometrics, and the Courant Research Centre on Poverty, Equity and Growth in Developing Countries. The advertised position will be located at the Institute for Statistics and Econometrics, Prof. Kneib (in Göttingen from October 2011).

For more information on the RTG, visit http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/156579.html.

PhD ProjectProject 4 will investigate the impact of different covariate scales on model choice and variable selection. Both model choice and variable selection are of high relevance when analyzing empirical data based on regression models but have been shown to be nontrivial tasks when covariates are measured on highly diverse scales. These problems are even more prevalent in complex regression models such as mixed models or geoadditive regression. In this project, the model choice and variable selection performance in such types of regression models will be studied and suitable strategies to overcome problems arising from the different covariate scales will be developed. The project will also include the application of the developed approaches in complex regression data arising for example in development economics and other areas of interest involved in the Research Training Group.

RequirementsThe successful candidate will hold a M.Sc. degree or equivalent in statistics, mathematics, or in related fields with strong quantitative skills (including programming skills).

Conditions of employmentThe position will start October 1, 2011, and is awarded for up to 3 years. The salary is in accordance with the German public service salary scale (75% E13 TV-L; gross income per month € 2330 - 2590).

In accordance with German jurisdiction: The University of Göttingen actively seeks to foster career opportunities for female scholars and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Candidates with disabilities who are equally qualified for the position will receive special consideration.

To apply, please upload your application via the online application sitehttps://lotus1.gwdg.de/uni/umst/rtg_2011_02.nsf (available from June 1). Further application details you find on that site. The closing date for applications is July 3, 2011.

Contact: Coordinator Dr. Barbara Strauss (bstraus@uni-goettingen.de)