PhD Opportunity at Faculty of Social Science - Utrecht University

Faculty of Social Sciences

Defaculteit Sociale Wetenschappen in Utrecht verzorgt onderwijs aan ruim4200 studenten. Er zijn zes opleidingen: algemene socialewetenschappen, culturele antropologie, onderwijskunde, pedagogiek,psychologie, sociologie. De faculteit draagt verder ook bij aan drieandere opleidingen, nl. economie, cognitieve kunstmatige intelligentie,en bestuurs- en organisatiewetenschappen. De faculteit participeert inacht onderzoekscholen. Dit brede palet aan opleidingen enonderzoekcentra binnen een faculteit biedt mogelijkheden om inonderwijs en onderzoek te profiteren van elkaars kennis en expertise.Het draagt bij aan het streven van de faculteit een kwalitatiefhoogwaardige bijdrage te leveren aan de oplossing van wetenschappelijkeen maatschappelijke vraagstukken.

1 PhD-RESEARCHER/PROMOVENDUS (1,0 fte)

Job description
Research Project: Robustness of optimal designs and estimation methods for cluster-randomised trials

Project Description
Clusterrandomised trials randomise complete groups, or clusters, to treatmentconditions. The estimates of the model parameters and their standarderrors are only correct if the chosen statistical regression modelincludes all necessary fixed and random effects, and if the modelassumptions are satisfied. Furthermore, optimal designs forcluster-randomised trials depend on the values of certain modelparameters, of which the researcher must specify a value. This studyresearches two questions: What is the robustness of optimal designs andestimation methods? What should be done to correct for an incorrectmodel or an incorrect guess of the model parameters?

Responsibilities
ThePh.D. candidate will be responsible for conducting a literature reviewof the existing research in this area and together with the researchteam further refine the planned research. In addition the candidatewill be expected to disseminate the knowledge gained from this projectthrough publishing five research articles in international researchjournals, the dissertation and presenting results at international andnational conferences. The candidate will also follow advanced graduatetraining courses as deemed necessary including advanced statistics andmethodology courses.

The candidate will be a part of thedepartment of Methodology and Statistics, in the research group ofprofessor P.G.M. van der Heijden. This department participates in theInteruniversity Graduate School of Psychometrics and Sociometrics(IOPS), which is recognized by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Artsand Sciences (KNAW). Besides being a member of the research team thecandidate will also be expected to follow advanced courses offered bythe national research school IOPS. The candidate will also be expectedto provide teaching assistance at undergraduate level

Qualifications
A master's degree or equivalent in statistics, econometrics,biometrics, or one of the social sciences with a solid training instatistics. The applicant should be familiar with the general linearmodel, matrix algebra, research designs, and have some experience incomputer programming. Motivation to do quantitative research isindispensable. A good written and oral command of the English languageis also desired.

Terms of employment
The initial appointment to the position will be made for a full timeappointment (1.0 fte) for 1.5 years that, with satisfactory completion,will result in an extension for an additional 2.5 years. It isexpected that the appointee will complete all requirements for thePh.D. degree within this period. We prefer to start the project assoon as possible. But not later than May 1, 2005. The salary is Ã¢â€šÂ¬ 1813per month in the first year and is expected to increase to Ã¢â€šÂ¬ 2394 permonth in the fourth year, for a full time appointment, contingent onsatisfactory performance.

Further details
A more detailed description of the project is available from Dr. M. Moerbeek, phone: +3130 253 1450, m.moerbeek@fss.uu.nl or Dr. C.J.M. Maas, phone: +3130 253 4594, e-mail: c.maas@fss.uu.nl.

How to apply
Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a coveringletter before 28 January 2005 to the Faculty of SocialSciences, Personeel & Organisatie, f.a.o. Mrs. W. Steinbusch,Postbus 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht or by mail: P.G.M.Steinbusch-Duijkers@fss.uu.nl. Be sure to refer to this website and the vacancy number 69502 in any correspondence concerning this position and include the vacancy number for this position on the envelop.

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