Cardiff University Studentship

How do researchers use and understand statistics, and how can statistical practice be improved? The quality of science depends critically on the quality of the statistical methods in use, their match to the questions that researchers have, and the level of understanding researchers have of these methods. Without good understanding of statistical inference, behavioural and social scientists have difficulty properly interpreting the results of experiments and building models used to understand human behaviour. This goal of this project is to explore and expand statistical methods in use by behavioural and social scientists. There are several possible angles from which this project can be approached, from quantitative psychology and the development of new (particularly Bayesian methods) to the experimental exploration of statistical cognition: how researchers understand and use statistical information.

The successful candidate will have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art research facilities and resources, including 3T and 7T MRI scanners, EEG/MEG and behavioural testing labs, and high-performance computing cluster.

This studentship consists of full UK/EU tuition fees, as well as a Doctoral Stipend matching UK Research Council National Minimum (£14,057 p.a. for 2015/16, updated each year). As well as tuition fees and maintenance grant, you will receive a participant allowance of £300 per annum, and conference funding (£100 in Year 1, £600 in Years 2 and 3). You will also receive a computer and office space, and access to courses offered by the University’s Graduate Centre and become members of the University Graduate College.

Eligibility:

Academic criteria:

As only one studentship is available and a very high standard of applications is typically received, the successful applicant is likely to have a very good first degree (a First or Upper Second class BSc Honours or equivalent) and/or be distinguished by having relevant research experience in psychology, biology, neuroscience, mathematics, or engineering/computer science.
Students are expected to have good quantitative skills, including knowledge of a scripting language such as R, MATLAB, or python, high scores in statistics courses, and a demonstrated interest in quantitative questions.

Residency:

This studentship is open to students of any nationality. Students classified as international for fee purposes have to self-fund the difference between home and international fees.

Duration of award(s): Studentships are offered for three years.

Note: Interviews (either in person or by Skype) will be held around 1 March 2016 with decisions being made by 1 April 2016.