The University of St Andrews is seeking to enhance its research strength in Statistics by appointing a new Chair in Statistics. We would welcome applications from candidates whose research could link with existing strengths in St Andrews, including ecological or environmental statistics and the cognate areas of biostatistics and experimental design. For appointments in the area of statistical ecology, we would welcome applicants with a background in either statistics or ecology, whose research includes statistical ecology. However, our primary objective is to appoint an outstanding candidate whatever their research area. We will also be appointing a Reader/Senior Lecturer/Lecturer in Statistics and a 4-year fixed-term Lecturer in Statistics. We anticipate that one of the latter two posts may be linked to the new Chair and that the new Chair will be involved in the appointment for this post. 

Our primary strength in statistics has been in statistical ecology, centred on the world-leading Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM). Most CREEM staff are statisticians in the School of Mathematics and Statistics, but there are also strong links with the School of Biology, and with Computer Science.  The University recently appointed a Professor of Statistics in Bioscience, as a joint post between the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the School of Medicine.  The statistics group has world-leading expertise in experimental design, and has growing links with the School of Computer Science in data science research, with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, and with the School of Geography and Sustainable Development. There are also opportunities for collaboration with pure and applied mathematics research groups, including our Research Group in Mathematical Biology, which was established in 2015 with the appointment of the Gregory Chair in Applied Mathematics. 

We have strong Masters programmes in Statistics and in Applied Statistics and Data Mining (approx. 20 students per year), and a new Masters programme in Data-intensive Analysis jointly with the School of Computer Science. The School also plans to launch MSc’s in Statistical Ecology and in Mathematical Biology from 2020/21 and are contributing to a new interdisciplinary MSc in Conservation Science.

For informal enquiries, we encourage those considering applying to contact the Head of School, Professor Mark Chaplain (mathshos@st-andrews.ac.uk), the Deputy Head of School, Professor Ineke De Moortel (ineke.demoortel@st-andrews.ac.uk) and/or Head of Statistics, Dr Janine Illian (jbi@st-andrews.ac.uk) to discuss possibilities. 

The University is committed to equality for all, demonstrated through our working on diversity awards (ECU Athena SWAN/Race Charters; Carer Positive; LGBT Charter; and Stonewall).  More details can be found at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/.

This post will be based at one of the two buildings that house the School of Mathematics and Statistics, located close to one another on the North Haugh campus of the University.

Please quote ref:  AC694SB

Closing Date:  26 April 2019

Further Particulars:  AC694SB FPs.doc

School of Mathematics and Statistics
Salary: By negotiation
Start: January 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter