There is a vacant for applicants who wish to obtain the degree of a Philosophical Doctor (PhD) in the field of Medical Statistics at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. The applicant will be enrolled in the PhD programme Medical Informatics, Statistics and Complex Systems, including participation in all necessary courses. He/she will be supervised by Prof. Georg Heinze. The applicant will carry out research in the interdisciplinary, EU-funded Innovative Training Network CaReSyAn (Combatting the Cardiorenal Syndrome). More information about the project and consortium can be found at:http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/211577_en.html.

We offer a training position in a stimulating environment at one of the largest medical schools in Europe. The hosting research group is embedded in a network of interdisciplinary collaboration both at the national and international le vel. More information about the research group can be found at: http://cemsiis.meduniwien.ac.at/en/kb.

The major responsibility of the PhD student will be to pursue his/her own PhD studies within the framework of the project. The PhD student is expected to develop statistical methods and software (likely in R), for the analysis of proteomics data with the goal of detecting and validating new proteomic markers and developing and validating proteomic predictive models. Results should be communicated in scientific journals, at scientific conferences and project consortium meetings. Close interdisciplinary collaboration with other international partners of the project consortium is expected.

Two secondments with other partners of our consortium are foreseen (Germany, France). Gross salary is €2.732, 00 per month for a full employment (40h/week). Starting date is expected on August 1, 2018, and duration of the position is 3 years. According to the EU rules for the ITN projects, the recruited researcher must comply with the following conditions: Is — at the date of recruitment — an early-stage researcher (i.e. NOT have a doctoral degree AND be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent research experience) of research career). Be employed full-time, unless the Agency has approved a part-time employment for personal or family reasons. Work exclusively on the research training activities. Must comply with the following mobility rule: not have resided in Austria for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date (and not have carried out main activity (work,  studies, etc.) in that country) — unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. 

Requirements: Strong background in statistics, mathematics or a related field. Interest to develop innovative statistical methods. Very good programming skills, e.g., in statistical software such as R or SAS. Sound oral and written communication skills in English (knowledge of German is not required). Willingness to collaborate across scientific and geographic borders. Moreover, the applicant should have an interest in the translation of medical and biological research questions into statistical models. Be interested in predictive modelling with many predictors, modern variable selection methods, and the combination of data –driven approaches with biological knowledge to improve prediction. On top of a graduate education in the field of theoretical and applied statistics, we expect the candidate to be highly committed to the common goal of the project, and motivated to complete the PhD programme within the runtime of the project. To be a team player. To possess exceptional presentation and communication skills, which are of crucial importance in interdisciplinary collaboration. Applications should be addressed to Georg Heinze (biometrie@meduniwien.ac.at), not later than April 1, 2018, including all following documents as PDF: CV with a complete list of publications. Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences. Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust. Two references that we can contact. Personal letter/Qualifications 1-3 pages where you introduce yourself, present your qualifications, previous research fields, main research results, and future research plans. Copies of bachelor or master’s thesis.  Copies of completed education, grades and other certificates. Copies of an original scientific text and/or presentation created by the candidate. For any inquiries about this offer, please contact Georg Heinze (per e- mail: biometrie@meduniwien.ac.at), with reference ‘CaReSyAn Call’. More information