Postdoctoral Researcher – Data Science/Statistics

SFI Insight Centre for Data Analytics and

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

Ref. No. University of Galway 027-24

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time Fixed term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Data Science/Statistics in the SFI Insight Centre for Data Analytics and School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Galway.

This position is funded by Science Foundation as part of an Insight Targeted Project with Endotronix Ltd and is available immediately for 18 months.

This project is led by Dr. Andrew Simpkin at the University of Galway, and the successful candidate will join Dr. Simpkin’s research group at the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences in Galway as well as the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. This group’s aim is to foster new collaborative research, in particular on problems that arise through the application of cutting-edge mathematical and statistical modelling techniques. The candidate will also work closely with industry partners.

https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Andrew-Simpkin-2028645884

Job Description:

Supported by the SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, the University of Galway wishes to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher to join this exciting project bringing together industry partners, and clinical and data science researchers within the University of Galway.

Cardiovascular medical device innovation is a prolific development area. A major challenge is how to devise the most effective use of devices to optimally benefit the patient while minimizing harm. Endotronix have developed a sensor which is implanted in patients to collect real time readings of the pulmonary artery waveforms. The implant is minimally invasive and allows for longitudinal assessment of patients through 20 second daily readings of heart dynamics. The project goal is to develop an algorithm for estimating cardiac output (CO) using features derived from pulmonary artery pressure waveforms and correlating it to thermodilution measured cardiac output. CO is the amount of blood pumped by the heart every minute and is the mechanism whereby blood flows around the body. CO is difficult to measure non-invasively, so the goal is to estimate the CO using the Endotronix sensor alone, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining accuracy.

Dr. Simpkin’s research group at Galway has a history of developing and deploying models for such rich, multivariate sensor data and other data in applications from genetics to cancer to sports science and engineering. This project will develop and apply solutions for the multivariate data generated by the Endotronix sensor. The Functional Data Analysis (FDA) statistical framework is a rapidly growing research area and has been successfully deployed in a variety of settings. FDA treats each measured data stream as a realisation of a smooth, differentiable function, thus exploiting key properties of the data. A key first step in FDA involves smoothing to remove noise and produce a finite-dimensional representation of the data for model fitting. This project will apply such techniques to analyse the large datasets generated by the Endotronix sensor. The successful candidate will develop novel statistical methods required to fully utilise and exploit all data. The outputs from this research are applicable across all domains where sensor data are routinely obtained, increasing the impact of this project.

Duties:

• Contribute to the research programme under general guidance of a Principal Investigator.

• Define research objectives and proposals for own (or joint) research in line with research strategy.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support as appropriate.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations / commercial exploitation.
• Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
• Plan, co-ordinate and implement research project.
• May work with PI to contribute to proposals for developmental purposes.
• Write up results from own research activity.
• Contribute to the research project’s dissemination.
• Present information on research progress and outcomes e.g. to bodies supervising research; conferences, steering groups; other team members, as agreed with the PI / project leader.
• Where appropriate, work with PI to register patents to protect intellectual property.
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post.

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements:

• PhD (completed, or Thesis submitted) in Statistics, Data Science, or related discipline with significant statistical or data science content.
• Demonstrable programming skills in R
• Knowledge of functional data analysis methods.
• Evidenced ability to collaborate with other researchers in the University and industry partners, and/or experience of participation in interdisciplinary research projects.

Desirable Requirements:

• Strong communication skills and well-developed ability to communicate technical concepts to non-experts.
• Experience and/or publications in the statistical modelling of longitudinal data.
• Excellent interpersonal, project management and people management skills.
• Experience in biomedical data applications.

Salary: Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €42,782 – €54,965 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the pay scale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

Research Salary Scales – University of Galway).

Start date: Position is available from August 1st 2024

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment – see HERE for further information.

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about the school and centre is available at

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/science-engineering/school-of-maths/

https://www.insight-centre.org/

(Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Dr. Andrew Simpkin, Andrew.simpkin@universityofgalway.ie)

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr. Andrew Simpkin (Andrew.simpkin@universityofgalway.ie)

Please put reference number University of Galway 027-24 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) 18^th April 2024.

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment