Research Fellow

at  University of Warwick

Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
Department
Statistics
Position Type
Fixed Term, Full Time
Duration
2 years
Salary
£34,866 to £45,163 per annum
About the Role
For informal enquiries, please contact Andreas Kyprianou (Professor) at Andreas.Kyprianou@warwick.ac.uk.
We are looking for an adventurous and talented researcher to fill a postdoctoral position as part of the £7.3M EPSRC Programme Grant, MaThRad (Mathematical Theory of Radiation Transport).
MaThRad is pursuing an interactive exploration of foundational, translational and application-driven research; developing predictive mathematical models with quantifiable accuracy and software prototypes, ready for real-world implementation in the energy, health care and space exploration nuclear industries.
This five-year interdisciplinary programme of research will use modern mathematical methods from probability theory, advanced Monte Carlo methods and inverse problems to develop novel approaches to the theory and application of radiation transport.
The programme grant is held jointly between the University of Warwick, University of Bath, University of Cambridge, University College Hospital, and the National Physical Laboratory.
This position will be based at the University of Warwick.
Nuclear technology is based around the principle of how radiation particles interact with materials. Whilst the microscopic behaviour of such systems is well understood, the degree of inhomogeneity involved means that the ability to predict the flux of particles through complex physical environments on the macroscopic (human) scale is a significant challenge. Unlike other types of transport theories, radiation transport theory is typically non-diffusive and requires a myriad of methodologies centred around the Boltzmann Transport Equation.

This lies at the heart of how we design, regulate and operate some of the most important technologies for the twenty-first century. These include:

• Building new reactors (fission and fusion) and de-commissioning old ones,
• medical radiation therapy
• establishing novel space technologies through e.g. the development of space-bound mini-reactors for off-world bases and protection for high-tech equipment exposed to high-energy radiation such as satellites and spacesuits,
• accurate prediction of how radiation interacts with surrounding matter is based on modelling through the Boltzmann transport equation.

You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature commensurate with the grade of appointment as reasonably required by your line manager.
About You
The successful candidate will be line managed by Prof. Andreas Kyprianou and Dr. Emma Horton and will work on projects looking to improve our theoretical understanding of current Monte Carlo algorithms used in a range of applications relating to Radiation Transport, and to develop novel methods which can improve the methods used by our academic and industrial partners.
Experience of conducting high quality research on interacting particle Monte Carlo methods, or rare event simulation will be highly desirable. Willingness to explore the interaction with ad-hoc and interdisciplinary approaches is highly desirable. No prior knowledge of the application area is expected, however a willingness to engage with applications is essential, as well as to collaborate with scientists and engineers who are not mathematicians.
If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure.
About the Department
The Department’s research spans a broad range of areas in statistics, data science, theoretical and applied probability, finance and interdisciplinary collaboration. Major strategic initiatives include CRiSM, the Applied Statistics & Risk Unit (AS&RU), which promotes and coordinates external partnerships, and the national Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS).
The Department has close relations with the co-located Mathematics Institute and Department of Computer Science and with other departments such as Economics and the Warwick Business School and is strongly engaged with the Alan Turing Institute in London. The newly established Warwick Centre for the Applications of the Mathematical and Computing Sciences (CAMaCS) is a joint initiative with Mathematics and Computer Science designed to link Warwick’s world-leading research in the departments with external partners and bring benefits to society through impact.
The Department of Statistics is committed to promoting equality and diversity, holding an Athena SWAN Silver award which demonstrates this commitment. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and will give due consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns, and to those who have taken a career break. Further information about working at the University of Warwick, including information about childcare provision, career development and relocation is at https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/workinghere/.
About the University
Born in the 60s with a mindset of boldness, imagination and collaboration, the University of Warwick is a world-leading research-intensive university with the highest academic and research standards. We’re one of the world’s top universities, ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK, with 92% of our research assessed to be ‘world leading or internationally excellent’*.

You’ll be joining a diverse, innovative and globally connected community committed to igniting real world progress. Here at Warwick, we offer you opportunities to follow your ambitions as long as you bring the energy and determination to succeed.

• QS World University Rankings 2024

** Research Excellence Framework 2021
How to Apply

Please refer the Job description for details