Assistant Professor in Statistical Data Science

Assistant Professor in Statistical Data Science

Heriot-Watt University - School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Detailed Description

The Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, is seeking to enhance and expand its strengths in research and teaching by appointing an Assistant Professor in Statistical Data Science, or related area. This is an open-ended position.

The successful candidate will lead, carry out and publish internationally excellent research, contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and play a key role in our joint BSc Data Science programme with Xidian University in Xi’an, China. Teaching in China is delivered in short blocks, offering a distinctive opportunity to gain international teaching experience and contribute to one of our most dynamic global programmes.

Applicants are invited from any area of statistical data science. Those working in statistical learning, actuarial statistics, financial mathematics or relevant areas are particularly welcome to apply. Candidates who would like to work with the University’s multi-disciplinary Global Research Institutes in the areas of either climate change and sustainability, or healthcare are also welcomed.

As a successful candidate, you will either be established or have the potential to establish yourself as an international research leader, with strong postdoctoral research experience and the ambition to build a world-class academic group. You will have the relevant experience to engage and innovate in our specialised actuarial, statistical, data science and financial teaching programmes.

The School strongly encourages and supports the generation of industry impact from research, and we welcome candidates with experience of statistical work with industrial partners or working with the actuarial/insurance/financial industry.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post-holder will be required to:

• Lead, carry out and publish internationally excellent research in statistical data science, or a related field;
• Apply for research funding through either the submission of high-quality grant proposals or funding from industry, with the goal of building a research group;
• Undertake knowledge exchange activities to promote and disseminate your research;
• Carry out such administrative and recruitment activities as may be required to achieve these aims;
• Develop and deliver innovative teaching in statistics, actuarial science, financial mathematics or related fields at undergraduate and postgraduate level;
• Teach on the Data Science joint programme with Xidian University;
• Be responsible to the Head of Department for performing the activities listed above in a way that will maintain and enhance the School’s reputation for excellence.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

As a successful candidate, you will lead, carry out and publish internationally excellent research in your field. You will have a strong track record of research in actuarial data science - which may also include machine learning, financial risk and climate change risk - as demonstrated through publications, citations, external invitations and research funding.

You will be established as an international research leader, with the ambition to build a world-class academic group and have the experience or potential to supervise PhD students and post-doctoral researchers.

You will have the relevant experience to engage in and innovate our specialised statistical, data science, actuarial and financial degree programmes. You will have the drive and commitment to contribute to the expansion of our teaching programmes.

Essential Criteria

• PhD in statistics, or related field;
• Track-record of high-quality research in areas of statistical data science with internationally excellent publications;
• Demonstrable teaching experience related to courses in the Department, as well as skills to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations in Statistical Data Science;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Track record of obtaining research funding;
• Track record of successful supervision of PhD students and/or post-doctoral researchers;
• Potential to provide leadership in the development and implementation of research strategy and in the planning, organisation and development of learning and teaching activities in the Department.