Centre of Excellence for Mathematics
and Statistics of Complex Systems
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AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH COUNCIL
Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics of Complex Systems |
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(Reference No. 1312253)
Frequently Asked Questions
(Last updated 21:16 on 23rd June 2008)
An offer has been made and the successful candidate has accepted the offer. All unsuccessful candidates have been contacted.
The following questions were asked by prospective candidates for this and previously advertised research positions. I list them here simply to avoid having to repeatedly answer the same set of questions by e-mail. If the information you require cannot be found below (or in the further particulars), please contact me. I'm more than happy to answer your questions.
Disclaimer: This is an informal (and I hope useful) FAQ, with frank answers to the questions listed. They include personal views that may not necessarily accord with the official University of Queensland view.
We will start by looking at standard stochastic network models* involving interaction and flow between nodes (think of migration between colonies), but adapted to account for population growth and local extinction at those nodes. We will also look at models for the spread of infection in population networks. Then, who knows? Further interesting avenues are bound to emerge.
*R. Serfozo. Introduction to Stochastic Networks. Springer-Verlag, New York, 1999.
Simple. I have more ideas than there is time for working on them.
I would expect you to contribute ideas and direction: not merely perform routine calculations.
Yes.
No. We will contact them, but only if we think you are suitable for the position. Indeed, I will be bemused if I receive references directly, for I will usually ask referees specific questions about your suitability to work on the project.
Certainly you should apply. We will be prepared to wait for a good applicant.
No (if you do this, your application will not be considered). It is very important that you provide a covering letter that addresses the selection criteria. A list of names and contact details of three referees (including fax numbers and e-mail addresses) is also required.
Yes.
No. This is not an "open" research position. It is project based, the research programme being funded by the Australian Research Council. You will be expected to work full time on the project.
It is MASCOS policy that research fellows be involved in joint projects with researchers at other nodes of MASCOS and, furthermore, that successful candidates shall spend at least four weeks at another AMSI or MASCOS site (travel and accommodation provided). Frankly, I know of no such exchanges. When a postdoc from the South arrives on our doorstep, I will believe it.
No.
We will acknowledge all applications by e-mail. If an applicant is suitable, referees will be contacted immediately. Candidates for whom references are not taken up will be contacted to let them know that their applications will not progress to the next stage in the selection process. A decision will be made very soon after all referees' reports have been received. The successful applicant will be contacted informally to say that an official offer will be forthcoming. After he/she has accepted the appointment, all remaining applicants will be contacted by e-mail. Return here to find out the current "state of play".
This is likely to depend on a number of factors. Please e-mail me to find out.
Certainly you should apply. The position has been advertised widely in Australia. The best person will be appointed irrespective of nationality. So far, only three of my six research fellows have been Australian.
Yes.
Everyone will be considered. Your academic record will be judged against your age and experience. The majority of my research fellows were nearing completion of their PhDs at the time they applied for the position. They were appointed on the basis of their potential to develop a research career and their willingness to work on the project.
Certainly, but you must have submitted your PhD for examination prior to taking up the position.
Everyone will be considered. Your academic record will be judged against your age and experience. You should address the selection criteria in your covering letter. Applicants must be prepared to make a commitment to work full time on the project. Please note: this is not a visiting position. Note also: applicants must be domiciled in Brisbane for the full period of the fellowship.
You should only consider applying if your written and verbal communications skills (in English) are excellent. You must be take the lead in writing scholarly papers, and your communications skills must be sufficient to participate in postgraduate supervision, to teach courses in the UQ Mathematics programme relevant your research area, to assist in teaching short courses for PhD students and for industry and government, to assist with the organization of conferences, workshops and courses sponsored by the Centre, and to assist in the preparation of the Centre's Annual Report.
This is not a problem, but applicants must be prepared to make a commitment to work full time on the project.
No. There is provision in the budget for only a single (one-way) economy airfare to Brisbane.
Your referees will be contacted by e-mail. Please be sure that you know how they can be contacted. If I'm having difficulties, I will ask you how I should contact them.
In most cases, yes, but this will depend on availability of rooms. In the past, research staff working under my supervision have had their own rooms.
Yes.
Yes, but you must present a paper/poster at the conference.
Yes. I have supervised the following people (in order of their arrival): Gopal Nair, Mark Bebbington, Owen Jones, Andrew Hart, Hanjun Zhang and Martin O'Hely.
Being on my wavelenght.
Phil Pollett
FAQ first posted March 2007
The Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics
of Complex Systems is funded by the Australian Research
Council, with additional support from the Queensland
State Government and the University of Queensland