The department Methodology and Statistics has a vacancy for a

PhD Project: Statistical Modeling of Dynamic Social Networks

Background:
Relational event (social network) history data are becoming increasingly available due to technological developments (e.g., email, sociometric badges). These data contain precise information about who was interacting with whom and at what point in time. This new type of data has the potential to greatly contribute to our understanding of dynamic social networks by providing new insights about speed, rhythm, duration, and lag in social interactions. However a crucial problem is that statistical tools for analyzing such data are currently underdeveloped.

Project:
The goal of this project is to develop novel (Bayesian) statistical methods for analyzing these time-stamped relational data. Methods need to be developed for fitting dynamic relational event models, and for testing the fit of these models. Moreover, efficient algorithms must be developed that allows users to apply these models to real-life data with ease. Finally, the methods will be used to answer substantive research questions on dynamic social networks. The project will be supervised by Dr. Ir. Joris Mulder (Dept. of Methodology & Statistics) and Prof. dr. Roger Leenders (Dept. of Organization Studies).

Candidates (PhD):
We are looking for a strong PhD candidate with a technical background in (mathematical) statistics, biostatistics, econometrics, or the like, and a strong interest in (Bayesian) dynamic social network models. Candidates with a social science background with strong quantitative skills are also encouraged to apply. Finally, programming skills (in R, Matlab, Python, Java, C++ or otherwise) are necessary.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months, extension possible for remaining project period (36 months).

Tilburg University is among the top Dutch employers and has an excellent policy concerning terms of employment. The collective employment terms and conditions for Dutch universities apply. The PhD appointment starts off with a 12 month contract and will be extended for the remaining project period (36 months) under the condition of a good first year evaluation. We offer a gross salary of € 2.325,- per month in the first year up to € 2.972.- in the fourth year. Furthermore an attractive package of benefits, including, sports facilities, an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year allowance. If applicable we can apply for the 30% tax regulation.

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is a modern university, specialized in social sciences and humanities and is internationally known for its high standards in education and scientific research as well as its good facilities. The Tilburg University campus offers both quietness and connectivity as it is located in a wooded park, ten minutes away from the city center, main highways, and railways. It is a mid-sized city of 200,000 inhabitants in the South of the Netherlands, in proximity to cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London, and Tilburg is thus located at the very heart of Europe.

Tilburg University is committed to diversity as a self-evident value within its organization. Diversity, inclusion, and equality are important key priorities of the university’s HR policy.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences accommodates the traditional disciplines of Psychology and Sociology but also comprises unique multidisciplinary research areas for Health, Care & Well-Being, People, Work, & Organizations together with research groups which take social issues as a starting point. The inspiring working environment where involvement and cooperation are considered to be basic principles, challenges our staff to realize their ambitions.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department Methodology and Statistics

The department is part of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Tilburg University and responsible for the teaching and the research in the area of methodology and statistics for the social and behavioral sciences. The Department of Methodology and Statistics is an internationally renowned group, holding several experts in data science methods, latent variable methods, psychometrics, meta-research, survey methodology, and other applied statistics fields. The department has a strong tradition of working with the other (substantive) research programs in our School and with the Data Science programs (including the novel joint bachelor in Data Science together with the Technical University of Eindhoven), and the Liberal Arts and Science program of Tilburg University. The department is a member of the Interuniversity Graduate School for Psychometrics and Sociometrics (IOPS).