PhD Scholarship

Australian National University

PhD Scholarship Statistics
Australian National University

Scholarship period: three years.
Annual stipend: $25,118 (tax exempt)

The School of Finance and Applied Statistics (FAS) have been awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery grant to undertake the project “Air pollution: do modern statistical model selection techniques make the silent killer speak too loud?” Estimates of the public cost of air pollution are based partly on the estimated mortality effects of air pollution obtained from time series investigations. However, many published studies of this kind have been called into question as they fail to take into account the effects of model selection processes used in the analyses. The aim of this project is to develop methodology for incorporating information from the model selection process into the estimates obtained from air pollution mortality investigations. This research will enable authorities to produce more accurate and defensible estimates of the burden of air pollution and to implement better air pollution standards.

FAS invites applications for an ARC funded PhD scholarship to undertake associated research under a supervisory panel constituted by Chief Investigators in the research team under the rules and policies of ANU. The successful applicant will be directed towards a subset of the research problems, and their work will add to the whole project. Among other academic and research activities, the doctoral student could participate in developing model selection methodologies for use in air pollution mortality time series studies and/or investigating the properties of methodologies developed by the Chief Investigators. This research would suit a scholar with interests in applied statistics, statistical epidemiology, and environmental statistics.

The scholar will be required to have a background in statistics or econometrics. The successful applicant will be required to have a First Class Honours or high Second Class honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent). The scholarship, which must be taken by 31 March 2008, includes a tax-free annual stipend of A$25,118 over three years (with a possible six months extension) and funding for the thesis production. The possibility of top-up funding exists for exceptional candidates. Funding will also be available for fieldwork, travel and attendance to appropriate conferences. Candidates should preferably be Australian citizens, unless no eligible Australian candidate can be identified, in which case Australian permanent residents will be considered.

Information for applicants at:
http://www.anu.edu.au/graduate/prospective/research.php

Applicants should quote ARC on their Postgraduate Research Program and/or Scholarship Application

Contact for discussion about the proposed research:
Dr Steven Roberts T: 02 61254723 E: steven.roberts@anu.edu.au

General information on the application process:
Chihyon Meneses, Student Administrator,
T:+61 2 6125 1524 E: Chihyon.Meneses@anu.edu.au