Professor of Statistics
Vacancy
Ghent University Global Campus (GUGC) in Incheon, South Korea, has a vacancy for a professorship in the field of statistics (professorial rank to be decided based on the resume of the selected candidate). This position is 100% funded by GUGC where you will be permanently based but is combining a 90 % appointment at GUGC with a 10% appointment at the home campus of Ghent University in Ghent, Belgium. The position is a contractual appointment initially for a period of 2 years but to be converted into an indefinite contractual appointment after positive evaluation. For more information about the available academic career, please see 'Appointment information' below.
Last application date
December 1, 2020
Anticipated starting date
February 1, 2021
Contract
Full-time position for a starting period of 2 years, with possibility of extension (professorial rank to be decided based on the resume of the selected candidate)
Degree
PhD degree in the domain of biostatistics, statistical data science, mathematics, bioinformatics, computer science, or equivalent
Occupancy rate
100%
Vacancy Type
Research and Teaching staff (Autonomous Academic Staff)
About Ghent University and Ghent University Global Campus
Ghent University is one of the most important education and research institutions in the Low Countries. On a daily basis, over 9,000 staff members and 41,000 students implement its motto "Dare to Think". Ghent University's mission statement is characterized by qualitative education, internationally renowned research, and a pluralistic social responsibility.
GUGC is an extended campus of Ghent University in South Korea, and the first European university to be part of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC). Since 2014, GUGC offers Bachelor of Science programmes in Molecular Biotechnology, Environmental Technology, and Food Technology. Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the world (ARWU 66th), and in the life sciences subjects taught at GUGC, Ghent University ranks even higher.
At GUGC, the Center for Biotech Data Science (RC4) pursues the development of novel mathematical and computational approaches for extracting knowledge from (vast) biotech data sets, paying attention to technical challenges such as (1) predictive analysis and visualization of biotech data; (2) complexity reduction and validation of data-driven models for biotechnological processes and systems; and (3) interpretability and robustness of data-driven models for biotechnological processes and systems.
The newly developed approaches target a wide variety of applications, ranging from cancer research and medical image diagnosis over drug development to plant phenotyping. Current research topics are varied and include, among others, adversariality in deep machine learning, 3-D phenotyping of rice plants, interpretability for biological sequence and biomedical image analysis, and stability and model reduction of biochemical reaction networks.
To sustain and strengthen the teaching, research, and service activities of the Center for Biotech Data Science, GUGC is looking for a full-time professor with a background in (bio)statistics. This professor will join a group of two professors, one lecturer, one teaching assistant, and eight research and teaching assistants (PhD students).
Please visit the homepage of Ghent University (Global Campus) to learn more about our organization:
http://www.ugent.be/globalcampus/en
Assignment
Academic education
You lecture various course units in the area of probability, statistics, and mathematics, both as a lecturer-in-charge and as a co-lecturer. You have the willingness to co-develop and co-lecture a second course unit on bioinformatics.
You supervise bachelor’s and master's theses, and you act as an academic advisor for PhD students.
Academic research
You conduct research on statistical modeling and data analysis, targeting applications in the area of the life sciences (e.g., statistical genomics/proteomics, environmental statistics, high-dimensional data analysis, statistical process control, and/or system identification).
You link up with colleagues at the global campus and the home campus of Ghent University in Belgium and, if relevant, you are willing to spend a certain research period at the home campus (1 to 3 months per year). You also link up with colleagues at Korean universities and research institutes.
You conduct high-quality research that results in peer-reviewed publications in reputable conference proceedings and journals.
Academic service
You provide internal and external services to the Center for Biotech Data Science and GUGC, for instance assisting with the development of the data science component of a future master’s degree programme in the area of the life sciences. Together with colleagues at the global campus and the home campus of Ghent University, you contribute to the growth of the Center for Biotech Data Science (e.g., through the acquisition of national and international research funding), so that it becomes a center of expertise recognized in South Korea and beyond.
Management and administration:
-
You take up internal roles of responsibility by, e.g., contributing to committees (membership, secretarial work) and acting as a mentor.
-
You participate in internal initiatives and events, including open days and outreach activities.
-
You act as a supervisor for, e.g., research projects and internships.
Profile
Experience
-
You hold a doctoral degree in a relevant subject (biostatistics, statistical data science, mathematics, bioinformatics, computer science, or equivalent).
-
You have already conducted research within the fields of statistics, mathematics, and/or computer science (preferably biostatistics, mathematical biology, or bioinformatics).
-
You have an excellent academic track record, proven by peer-reviewed publications in proceedings of high-quality conferences and international journals.
-
You possess the necessary didactic skills to instill academic competencies in university students.
Recommended are:
-
Interest in the application of mathematical and/or computational techniques (e.g., machine learning) to biotechnological processes, even if your previous research experience was in a different area.
-
Experience with international mobility, amongst others through participation in research programs at research institutions not linked to the university where the highest degree was obtained.
-
Positively evaluated experience with procedures and/or education organized at an academic level.
-
Experience with supervising research projects and/or advising PhD students.
-
Experience with attracting research funding.
-
Professionalization in education.
Skills / Attitude
-
You have an excellent command of English (e.g., a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT test), and good academic writing and presentation skills.
-
You have an independent research and strong self-learning ability; a creative and inquisitive attitude is a must.
-
You have strong didactic, communicative, and managerial skills, as well as a large interest in providing and supporting academic education.
-
You are a team player, open to (interdisciplinary) collaboration within both GUGC and the home campus of Ghent University.
-
You are comfortable with working in an international and multi-cultural environment that is dynamic in nature (GUGC alone currently has more than 20 nationalities among its teaching and research staff).
-
You are quality-oriented.
Admission requirements
-
You hold a thesis-based doctorate, or a diploma or degree certificate that is recognized as equivalent (article V.20 Codex Higher Education).
-
You have at least two years of postdoctoral experience by the start date of your appointment at Ghent University (Global Campus). This term of two years is determined by the date written on the above-mentioned required diploma.
Gender and diversity
Ghent University and GUGC have an equal opportunities policy and encourages everyone to apply. Ghent University also strives for a gender balance. Female applications are thus especially welcomed.
Selection procedure
After the final application date, all applications received will be sent to the assessment committee assembled for this vacancy. This committee will first evaluate the application file. To that end, it will match all elements of the application file against the required expertise for the position in terms of education, research, and service. Based on this deliberation, relevant candidates will be shortlisted and invited for further evaluation (interview, presentation, test lecture, ...). Afterwards, the committee will rank the suitable candidates and present this ranking to the relevant faculty boards at GUGC and the home campus of Ghent University. This advice will then be presented to the GUGC and University Board for approval.
Candidates are asked to list their top-5 most important publications (or other academic achievements with a high impact). Next to academic publications, the candidate is thus also able to show merit of knowledge transfer by academic dissemination, social valorization, public awareness, seminars, or conference presentations. These competences are also taken into account when evaluating the candidates.
Pregnancy leave, prolonged sick leave, parental leave, filial leave, or other forms of absence are taken into account when evaluating the available time for the realization of academic output.
Appointment information
We offer you a contract as a professor either in the grade of an assistant, associated or full professor depending on your previous career and scientific output. According to the Korean law, the contract will initially be for a two years period, after which an infinite period contract is given on condition of a positive evaluation of the performance. With respect to the career path, we follow the same rules and evaluation periods as for a professorship at Ghent University home campus :
https://www.ugent.be/en/work/mobility-career/career-aspects/professorial-staff).
Although fully employed on the pay-role of GUGC, the appointment consists of a 90 % appointment at GUGC and a 10 % appointment at Ghent university home campus. This ensures that the selected candidate has access to all opportunities offered to Ghent University professors (e.g., internal funding calls and professional development opportunities). Specifically, the selected candidate will be integrated in the Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics of the Faculty of Sciences of Ghent University.
One of the important benefits is that candidates who are newly appointed at Ghent University receive a Starting Grant of € 210.000 to contribute towards the personnel, operating and/or equipment costs of establishing a research team.
- Compensation and benefits
- Salary will be determined in accordance to the Ghent University salary standards
- Bonus: a bonus in June (92% of monthly salary) and a bonus in December (100% monthly salary)
- Transportation and housing
- Severance
- Private health insurance
- Leaves and holidays
- For international applicants: visa support and relocation
How to apply
Application procedure
-
Motivation letter
-
Full resume (CV), including at least 2 references
-
Your research plan, including a description of the integration of your research in the Center for Biotech Data Science (6 pages)
-
Your vision on research, education, and service (2 pages)
-
A complete list of your publications
-
A copy of your PhD and Master degree certificates (if you have a degree certificate in a language other than Dutch, French, German, or English, please add a legalized translation in English)
-
Application deadline: December 1, 2020
All required documents must be submitted in English. The documents MUST BE MERGED INTO A SINGLE PDF file and sent to gugc_hr@ghent.ac.kr (subject line: Professor of Statistics – Last Name, First Name).
More information
For further information regarding this vacancy, please contact please contact Junku Lee Junku.Lee@ghent.ac.kr
