PhD Student - Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics

Last application date Jun 14, 2025 00:00

Department WE02 - Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics

Contract Limited duration

Degree Master's degree in Statistics, or Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering (each with a strong statistics or data science component), or equivalent, with excellent (‘honors’-level) grades.

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

Job description

We are looking for two highly creative and motivated PhD students to perform research in the context of the Advanced ERC Grant ACME ("Assumption-lean (Causal) Modeling and Estimation"). As the field of causal inference shifts toward population-level intervention effects, there is a risk of overlooking the value of statistical modeling. The ACME project seeks to reintegrate flexible modeling into modern causal inference by combining its strengths with innovations in debiased machine learning, as well as to improve both the statistical efficiency and robustness of debiased machine learning algorithms. The two PhD students hired through this vacancy will primarily contribute to the development of debiased learning methods and assumption-lean modeling tools, and their application on real-world medical data, in close collaboration with a team of statisticians and machine learning researchers.

Job profile

- You have a  master's degree and a strong background in statistical data analysis or machine learning (ideally, we will recruit one candidate with specific specialization in machine learning and one student with specific specialization in statistics and data analysis; familiarity with causal inference or debiased machine learning is a plus.
- You are creative and have strong analytical skills.
- You are a team player, motivated to work in a team of statisticians, and have strong communication skills.
- Your English is fluent (C1 CEFR level) both speaking and writing.

What we can offer you

- We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.

- Your contract will start on 01/09/2025 at the earliest and at the latest on October 1, 2025.

- The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales

- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.

How to apply

Send your CV, transcripts of study results, a motivation letter of maximum 1 page (highlighting why you believe you are a suitable candidate for the position, why you want this position, and what relevant skills you have developed), and at least two reference contacts to [email protected], with the subject ‘Application: PhD ACME’. The transcripts of study results at the time of application are not necessarily official (yet), but these will be required upon recruitment.