Regular announcements of SMRI programmes

Research Associate in Statistical Bioinformatics@Sydney

Location: Camperdown Campus at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney
Employment Type: Full time
Duration: 18 months fixed term appointment
Remuneration: $79,784–$107,516 p.a. + 17% superannuation (Level A)
Closing Date: 11.59pm; 30 May 2023

• Full time 18 month fixed term, located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Mathematics and Statistics
• Opportunity to make valuable contributions to research in statistical bioinformatics and biomedical data science

About the opportunity

We are one of the largest mathematical sciences schools in Australia, and the University of Sydney is the only Australian university to have received the highest rating of 5 out of 5 for research in the mathematical sciences in every Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia assessment to date. The University also hosts the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI), which attracts leading mathematical scientists from all over the world to do research with Australian collaborators.

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a project entitled ‘Multiscale data integration for single cell spatial genomics’. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Shila Ghazanfar on developing new statistical and algorithmic techniques to understand single cell spatial genomics data. This project has recently been funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Technological advances in measuring gene expression in a spatially resolved manner have resulted in several tour-de-force publicly available datasets, often accompanied by sample-matched dissociated single cell RNA-seq or single cell multi-omic measurements. However, many integrative data analysis tasks for spatial genomics are performed using tools designed with dissociated single cell RNA-seq data in mind, effectively ignoring the specific data structures of spatial genomics data. This project will develop new data science techniques for multiscale data integration of single cell spatial genomics, with applications in several collaborative contexts.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake research in statistical bioinformatics for single cell spatial genomics
• publish research papers
• demonstrate research excellence
• assist with grant writing and publishing original work
• participate in research group meetings and other activities
• formulate and refine statistical and computational methods for single cell spatial genomics data integration
• develop software using the R language and contribute to Bioconductor.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Sydney is one of the largest in Australia. It has more than 89 academic staff to supervise research and teaching 74 postgraduate students and 925 equivalent full-time student-load undergraduate students.

To learn more about the School of Mathematics and Statistics click here.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Research Associate who has:

• demonstrated ability to conduct research/scholarly activities under limited supervision
• the ability and a willingness to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to contribute to long-term research goals
• a strong track record of publishing their research
• research strengths in state-of-the-art high dimensional analysis of complex data
• superior computer programming or software development skills in R or similar
• excellent communication (written and verbal), organisational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• a high level of interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• a demonstrated ability to complete work in timely fashion and to write up results for publication
• a PhD (or near completion) in bioinformatics, data science, computer science, computational biology and equivalent combination of training and experience

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Learn more about this position and apply: https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Research-Associate-in-Statistical-Bioinformatics_0105459-2.

Postdoctoral Fellow @Optiver APAC

Division: Trading, Research and Risk
Employment Type: Full time, Postdoctoral Fellow
Duration: 1 year
Closing Date: 11.59pm; 31 December 2023

Have you ever thought about what research looks like in industry?Optiver’s Postdoctoral Fellowship is a one year, full-time postdoctoral position designed to bring strong PhD graduates into a new arena for the application of their research skill set.

How to apply

Learn more about this position and apply: https://optiver.com/working-at-optiver/career-opportunities/6604266002/.

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Statistical Bioinformatics@Sydney

Location: Camperdown Campus at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney
Employment Type: Full time
Duration: 18 months fixed term appointment
Remuneration: $97,043–$100,717 p.a. + 17% superannuation (Level A)
Closing Date: 11.59pm; 6 February 2023

• Full time 18 month fixed term, located on the Camperdown Campus at the School of Mathematics and Statistics
• Opportunity to make valuable contributions to research in statistical bioinformatics and biomedical data science

About the opportunity

We are one of the largest mathematical sciences schools in Australia, and the University of Sydney is the only Australian university to have received the highest rating of 5 out of 5 for research in the mathematical sciences in every Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia assessment to date. The University also hosts the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI), which attracts leading mathematical scientists from all over the world to do research with Australian collaborators.

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a project entitled ‘Multiscale data integration for single cell spatial genomics’. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Shila Ghazanfar on developing new statistical and algorithmic techniques to understand single cell spatial genomics data. This project has recently been funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Technological advances in measuring gene expression in a spatially resolved manner have resulted in several tour-de-force publicly available datasets, often accompanied by sample-matched dissociated single cell RNA-seq or single cell multi-omic measurements. However, many integrative data analysis tasks for spatial genomics are performed using tools designed with dissociated single cell RNA-seq data in mind, effectively ignoring the specific data structures of spatial genomics data. This project will develop new data science techniques for multiscale data integration of single cell spatial genomics, with applications in several collaborative contexts.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake research in statistical bioinformatics for single cell spatial genomics
• publish research papers

demonstrate research excellence
• assist with grant writing and publishing original work
• participate in research group meetings and other activities
• formulate and refine statistical and computational methods for single cell spatial genomics data integration
• develop software using the R language and contribute to Bioconductor.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Sydney is one of the largest in Australia. It has more than 89 academic staff to supervise research and teaching 74 postgraduate students and 925 equivalent full-time student-load undergraduate students.

To learn more about the School of Mathematics and Statistics click here.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) in bioinformatics, data science, computer science, computational biology and equivalent combination of training and experience
• demonstrated ability to conduct research/scholarly activities under limited supervision
• the ability and a willingness to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to contribute to long-term research goals
• a strong track record of publishing their research
• research strengths in state-of-the-art high dimensional analysis of complex data
• superior computer programming or software development skills in R or similar
• excellent communication (written and verbal), organisational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• a high level of interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• a demonstrated ability to complete work in timely fashion and to write up results for publication.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Learn more about this position and apply: https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Statistical-Bioinformatics_0100807-2https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Statistical-Bioinformatics_0100807-2.

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematics (Dynamical Systems and Machine Learning) @Sydney

Location: Camperdown Campus at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney
Employment Type: Full time 2 year fixed term
Duration: 2 years fixed term appointment
Remuneration: $97,043–$100,717 p.a. + 17% superannuation (Level A)
Closing Date: 11.59pm; 22 February 2023

• Full time, 2 years fixed term, located located on the Camperdown Campus
• Opportunity to make valuable contributions to research at the interface between dynamical systems and machine learning

About the opportunity

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a project entitled “A dynamical systems theory approach to machine learning”. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Professor Georg Gottwald on developing, understanding and applying machine learning techniques using tools from dynamical systems theory. This project has recently been funded by the Australian Research Council.

Forecasting the future state of a high-dimensional complex multi-scale system is a challenge we face in areas ranging from climate science to epidemiology. Even when basic physical mechanisms have been identified, the actual evolution equations are often unknown. This project will develop a computationally cheap machine learning framework for forecasting. We will develop mathematical theory underpinning the novel methodology, as well as applying it to the perennial problem of subgrid-scale parametrisation in climate modelling. Furthermore, we will apply dynamical systems theory to understand existing machine learning algorithms.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• undertake research at the interface between dynamical systems and machine learning
• publish research papers
• demonstrate research excellence.

The School of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of Sydney is one of the largest in Australia. It has more than 89 academic staff to supervise research and teaching 74 postgraduate students and 925 equivalent full-time student-load undergraduate students.

To learn more about the School of Mathematics and Statistics click here.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematics and AI who has:

• a PhD (or near completion) in mathematics or a relevant area
• relevant expertise in dynamical systems and machine learning desired
• demonstrated ability to conduct research/scholarly activities under limited supervision
• the ability and a willingness to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to contribute to long-term research goals
• a strong track record of publishing their research
• excellent communication (written and verbal), organisational and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• high level interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
• a demonstrated ability to complete work in timely fashion and to write up results for publication.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Learn more about this position and apply: https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Camperdown-Campus/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Mathematics–Dynamical-Systems-and-Machine-Learning-_0101102-1.

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematics and AI @Sydney

Location: Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI), The University of Sydney
Employment Type: Full time, located at the Camperdown Campus
Duration: 3 years fixed term appointment
Remuneration: $97,043–$100,717 p.a. + 17% superannuation (Level A)
Closing Date: 11.59pm; 18 January 2023

• Full time, 3 years fixed term, located at the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI)
• Opportunity to contribute to research focused on mathematics and artificial intelligence and be part of world-class team of mathematicians

About the opportunity

We are one of the largest mathematical sciences schools in Australia, and the University of Sydney is the only Australian university to have received the highest rating of 5 out of 5 for research in the mathematical sciences in every Australian Research Council Excellence in Research for Australia assessment to date. The University also hosts the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI), which attracts leading mathematical scientists from all over the world to do research with Australian collaborators.

The University of Sydney is welcoming applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematics and AI. The successful applicant will undertake research embedded in one of the research groups in the School of Mathematics and Statistics and will be affiliated with SMRI under the supervision of Professor Geordie Williamson. Preference will be given to candidates working in the areas of applied mathematics, or theoretical or applied statistics, and who will be able to build capacity in these areas at SMRI through the organization of seminars, conferences, or outreach activities.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• demonstrate research excellence in mathematics and its interactions with AI
• develop research collaborations
• assist with grant writing and publishing original work
• demonstrate development and implementation of algorithms in mathematics and machine learning
• develop your profile and the profile of SMRI in the areas of mathematics and AI through conferences and seminars.

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematics and AI who has:

• a Doctorate or PhD (or near completion) in mathematics or computer science
• primary research interests in mathematics and AI
• proven research excellence in these areas
• experience developing software, potentially with machine learning components
• demonstrated evidence of independent research ability and potential in an area of mathematics
• experience in research record keeping, preparation of research papers and presentation of seminars
• demonstrated excellence in written and oral communications skills, interacting with a variety of researchers.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Learn more about this position and apply https://usyd.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USYD_EXTERNAL_CAREER_SITE/job/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate-in-Mathematics-and-AI_0098843-3.

The Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI) International Visitor Program: applications open

The IVP2022 Round 2 applications are now open. Researchers in the mathematical sciences from international and Australian universities who wish to do research at SMRI either individually or as part of a group of collaborators are warmly invited to apply.

This round is for visits taking place between July 2023–June 2024 for general applicants, and March 2023–June 2024 for Australian citizens/permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.

Applications will close on 9 August 2022 (11.59pm AEST).

Applications with the information requested in the terms and conditions can be made through the webform found on the IVP webpage https://mathematical-research-institute.sydney.edu.au/international-visitor-program/.

Applications from female and gender-diverse researchers, researchers employed in developing countries and/or researchers belonging to other groups which are underrepresented in the mathematical sciences, are particularly encouraged.

ICM2022 Down Under @SMRI, 6–8 July 2022

Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI) Sydney, 6–8 July 2022, register here: https://mathematical-research-institute.sydney.edu.au/news/icm2022-down-under/.

The official International Congress of Mathematics 2022 will now take place as a virtual event. Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI) will attempt to create some of the usual spirit of the ICM.

The local event will feature talks by the Australia based invited speakers, presentations on the work of the Fields medallists, and interactive streaming of plenary and special session talks selected by the participants of ICM2022 Down Under.

Live talks will be given by Regina Burachik (University of South Australia, Section 16 – Control Theory and Optimisation) and George Willis (University of Newcastle, Section 2 – Algebra).

The ICM Down Under will conclude with a twilight talk by SMRI Director Geordie Williamson on Friday evening (8 July 20:00 AEST). The talk will be recorded and broadcasted by the London Mathematical Society (virtual ICM public lecture, 8 July 12:00 BST).

For further information and registration, please visit: https://mathematical-research-institute.sydney.edu.au/news/icm2022-down-under/

SMRI International Visitor Program (NZ only)

The SMRI International Visitor Program is now open again, for visitors travelling from
New Zealand only. This program funds researchers in the mathematical sciences to travel
to Australia for research collaborations at Australian universities. If you have
existing or potential collaborators working in New Zealand, please encourage them to
make use of this opportunity.

Please direct any potential applicants to the SMRI website for the full terms and conditions,
and instructions on how to apply. Any further questions about the scheme can be
addressed to this email address.

At least initially, applications for this NZ-only IVP will be on a rolling basis as with
our Domestic Visitor Program. For Aus or NZ citizens or Aus permanent residents, the
application deadline is 2-6 months before the start of the proposed visit; for other NZ
residents, 4-6 months before the start of the proposed visit.

Terms and conditions for the IVP will be updated when travel to Australia from other
source countries becomes possible.

Anthony Henderson

Executive Director, SMRI

Call for Proposals MATRIX-SMRI Research Symposium

MATRIX (Creswick) and the Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI) invite proposals for a joint Research Symposium to be held in a hybrid format (in-person/on-line) in 2021.

The joint MATRIX-SMRI Research Symposium will be centered around one distinguished international researcher who will Chair the Symposium, or one key publication for which one of the international authors will be designated Chair. 

The hybrid research symposium will normally run for at least two weeks with face-to-face and online components. The Chair will deliver at least two online lectures coordinated by SMRI in the lead-up to a  central face-to-face intensive research event for up to 20 participants at the MATRIX facilities in Creswick. 

Local participants may also present seminars during the online lead-up. Those who are not able to travel to MATRIX due to COVID-19 travel restrictions can participate online during this event. During or after the face-to-face event at MATRIX, the Chair will take part in an online discussion session, facilitated by SMRI. 

How to apply

Proposals should come with a team of organisers including at least two organisers planning to attend in person at MATRIX. Organisers should aim for gender balance. The application should contain: 

  • Title of the suggested research symposium
  • Research Program organisers including up to 10 publications relevant to the proposal of each of the organisers
  • Dates of the event – please refer to scheduled MATRIX Research Programs to identify available gaps in the calendar
  • Description of the topic and focus of event, recent results, references (4-6 pages)
  • The proposed provisional program of the research symposium, taking into account the different time zones
  • List of up to 20 suggested participants at MATRIX and up to 10 online participants during the MATRIX face-to-face component of  the symposium
  • Event budget

Proposal guidelines: https://www.matrix-inst.org.au/matrix-smri-research-symposium-guidelines/

Please prepare a PDF proposal in the format outlined in the guidelines and attach/submit here

Applications close on Friday, 7 May 2021.

SMRI Seminar 8th April 2021

The Symmetry in Newcastle Seminar is not back just yet, but that does not mean you have to miss out on your monthly fix of Australian group theory seminars! Our friends at Sydney Mathematical Research Institute (SMRI) are hosting a seminar this Thursday and if you like combinatorial and geometric group theory, this might be just the event for you because the speakers for the day are Adam Piggott, Australian National University, and Murray Elder, University of Technology Sydney. The times, titles and abstracts of the talks, along with important links are as follows.

When: 8 April 2021, 15:00-17:00 AEST (05:00 – 07:00 UTC)

Where: Quad Oriental Room S204 (University of Sydney staff, students and affiliates only) and via Zoom (registration link below)

Talk 1: 15:00 AEST (05:00 UTC)

‘Stubborn conjectures concerning rewriting systems, geodesic normal forms and geodetic graphs’ 
Adam Piggott (ANU)

Abstract: A program of research, started in the 1980s, seeks to classify the groups that can be presented by various classes of length-reducing rewriting systems. We discuss the resolution of one part of the program (joint work with Andy Eisenberg (Temple University), and recent related work with Murray Elder (UTS).

Talk 2: 16:00 AEST (06:00 UTC)
‘Which groups have polynomial geodesic growth?’ 
Murray Elder (UTS)

Abstract: The growth function of a finitely generated group is a powerful and well-studied invariant. Gromov’s celebrated theorem states that a group has a polynomial growth function if and only if the group is {\em virtually nilpotent}. Of interest is a variant called the {\em geodesic growth function} which counts the number of minimal-length words in a group with respect to some finite generating set. I will explain progress made towards an analogue of Gromov’s theorem in this case. I will start by defining all of the terms used in this abstract (finitely generated group; growth function; virtual property of a group; nilpotent) and then give some details of the recent progress made.

The talk is based on the papers arxiv.org/abs/1009.5051arxiv.org/abs/1908.07294 and arxiv.org/abs/2007.06834 by myself, Alex Bishop, Martin Brisdon, José Burillo and Zoran Šunić.

To Register: 
https://uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrdeyrqTkoGNIG0BAyuvcTjuBxA7MPDTvC