Research Fellow x2 (110972-1025)

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Tom Berrett (Associate Professor (Reader)) at Tom.Berrett@warwick.ac.uk

Applications are invited for two post-doctoral research associates to work with Thomas Berrett in the Department of Statistics at the University of Warwick. These are a 3-year position that are part of the larger European Research Council project HeDiStat: Statistical theory and methodology for the combination of heterogeneous and distributed data.

The aims of the project are to develop statistical methodology and theory for modern data science problems arising from fields such as semi-supervised learning, missing data, differential privacy, causal inference and distributed learning, with a focus on robust methods for nonparametric and high-dimensional settings.

The larger project runs from October 2024 to September 2029 and provides funding for junior researchers to join a vibrant research group. This position comes with a generous travel allowance.

Applicants should be highly motivated and hold a PhD in statistics or mathematics, though this can be interpreted broadly to include fields such as theoretical computer science and data science. Familiarity with some of the topics mentioned above is desirable though not essential. An interest and background in theoretical aspects of statistics is particularly valued.

You will be required to work independently as well as collaboratively. You will also be expected engage with group and department events.

For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.

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.

This position will be based at the University of Warwick, where the Department of Statistics is one of the largest and most diverse statistics groups in the world. Research in the department spans a broad range of areas in statistics, data science, theoretical and applied probability, finance and interdisciplinary collaboration.  Its teaching programmes attract exceptional students at all levels. It comprises around 800 undergraduate students on degree courses in MORSE, Mathematics and Statistics and Data Science and 150 postgraduate students on the MSc Statistics, MSc Mathematical Finance and PhD degree streams.  Major strategic initiatives include the research centre CRiSM, which acts as a catalyst for research across the breadth of the Department, the Applied Statistics & Risk Unit (AS&RU), which promotes and coordinates external partnerships, and the national Academy for PhD Training in Statistics (APTS).

Warwick is recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research, with collaboration in this area across departments including Statistics, Computer Science and the Warwick Manufacturing Group.

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/. 

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**

Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.

* World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025

** Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 14th December 2025 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your cover letter should explain:

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

• Interview Date: To be confirmed
• Start Date: To be confirmed

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.