Research Associate or Research Fellow in Geometric Inference

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Research Associate or Research Fellow in Geometric Inference
Cardiff School of Mathematics

Applications are invited for a Research Associate or Research Fellow in Geometric Inference in the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University. The position is full-time and fixed term (for 36 months) starting 1st January 2023 or at another mutually agreeable date.

If you join us, you will support a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship research programme focussed on the application of rigorous geometric methods to determine the statistical properties of method is topological data analysis. You will also develop links with industry to find new applications for geometrically aware data analysis tools. You are likely to work closely with the project leader, Dr John Harvey, and with graduate students to use tools from Riemannian geometry and statistics to make both theoretical and practical advances. However, if you believe you can contribute to this programme of research in other ways, you are very welcome to apply and should clearly articulate your motivation in a cover letter. You may also optionally submit a brief statement of research interests.

You will benefit from substantial support for your career development, as the Fellowship includes funds budgeted for attendance at conferences, inviting short-term visitors, and developing your independent research interests. You will have the opportunity to set your own agenda within the scope of the project, especially in the development of applications. If you have a strong track record which shows your ability to play a leading role, you should consider applying for the position of Research Fellow. Informal discussions on this topic are welcome.

Cardiff University can assist with your relocation costs, more information about this can be found here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs/what-we-can-offer/financial-benefits/relocating-to-cardiff

The School of Mathematics is a research-led School in Cardiff University, one of the UK’s leading universities, with a reputation for internationally excellent research and teaching. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, Cardiff University was ranked 5th in the UK in terms of the grade point average (GPA) of its overall quality profile and 2nd for Impact. http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/mathematics

This position is full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term for 36 months.  The post is available 1st January 2023.

Salary range:
£35,333 – £42,155 per annum (Grade 6) or
£44,737 – £51,805 per annum (Grade 7)

Please indicate in your covering letter if you are applying for the post at Grade 6 (Research Associate) or Grade 7 (Research Fellow).

We particularly welcome applications from women as they are under-represented with Cardiff University in this field.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr John Harvey at harveyj13@cardiff.ac.uk .  For information about working in the School of Mathematics please contact Cath Noble at maths-hr@cardiff.ac.uk .

Date advert posted: Monday, 24 October 2022
Closing date: Monday, 5 December 2022

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff University

Job Description

Job Description

Grade 6: To conduct research within geometric inference or topological data analysis and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Grade 7: To lead or work within research projects within geometric inference or topological data analysis, to contribute to the research record of the School through commitment to carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To develop collaborations with industrial partners. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Grade 6

• To conduct research within geometric inference or topological data analysis and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Grade 7

• To independently develop research objectives within geometric inference or topological data analysis, projects or proposals for own or joint research including research funding acting as a PI as required. To develop research networks through regular national/international conference/seminar presentations
• To generate and pursue independent and original research ideas in the field of research and support the initiation of new lines of research in related areas
• To disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective national  and international publications, research seminars, meetings and conferences
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects
• To supervise and develop other research staff within own research projects
• To provide guidance to students in own specialist area, including supervising and assessing undergraduate projects

Other

• Grade 6 & 7: To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

• Grade 6 & 7: To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Grade 6 & 7: Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

• Grade 6: To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Grade 6: Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
Grade 7: Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Grade 6 & 7: An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within any of the following research fields:

• geometric inference
• topological data analysis
• Riemannian geometry

      3. Grade 6: Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field

          Grade 7: Growing national reputation within academic field

      4. Grade 6: Proven ability to publish in national journals, national/ conferences or other research outputs

          Grade 7: Proven substantial record of publications in national journals and/or other research outputs.

      5. Grade 6: Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

          Grade 7: Proven ability attain competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants

Communication and Team Workin

Grade 6 & 7: Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication

      7. Grade 6: Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individual

          Grade 7: Ability to lead and develop a research team

      8. Grade 6 & 7: Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work

      9. Grade 6 & 7: Proven ability to work without close supervision

    10. Grade 7: Ability to develop collaborations with industry.

Desirable Criteria

Grade 6 &7: Evidence of collaborations with industry.

Grade 7: Ability to attract MA and PhD students

Grade 6 & 7: Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

Grade 6 & 7: Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Grade 7: A willingness to take responsibility for academically related administration.

Additional Information

This post is supported by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship MR/W01176X/1 “Volume-collapsed manifolds in Riemannian geometry and geometric inference” which aims, in part, to apply geometric methods to understand questions in high-dimensional statistics and to develop links with British industry to promote the use of geometric tools in data analysis. The Research Fellow will independently develop and pursue activities which contribute to these objectives..

Job Category

Academic – Research