PhD candidate in Methodology and Statistics 'Combining estimates based on multiple datasets'

Your position
As a PhD candidate, you will work towards examining, developing and testing statistical approaches to combine estimates based on multiple data sources. 

 

National statistical institutes (NSIs), such as Statistics Netherlands, often have multiple datasets in which data on the same phenomena are observed. For instance, data on “health” may be observed in a survey sample, administrative datasets from hospitals, and even in opt-in web surveys. These datasets have their own advantages and disadvantages. Survey samples are usually representative for the population (in any case after reweighting the observed survey sample data by weights based on the used survey sample design) but are generally small. So, estimates on these data are unbiased, but inaccurate. Administrative data are large, but selective. So, estimates based on them are accurate, i.e., they have small variance but are often biased. Also, definitions of variables in administrative data may differ from the definitions used by the NSI, leading to measurements error in the administrative data. Opt-in web surveys can be very large, but suffer from selectivity and measurement errors, generally even more so than administrative data. By combining estimates based on multiple datasets, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, one may obtain more accurate estimates with no or only small bias.

 

In the project, which will be carried out in close collaboration with Statistics Netherlands, the following aspects may be examined.

• Development of a method for obtaining accurate and (nearly) unbiased estimates when a target variable is observed in a nonprobability sample, i.e., a sample from the population with an unknown sampling design such as an administrative dataset or an opt-in web survey.
• Development of a method for obtaining accurate and (nearly) unbiased estimates when a target variable is observed in both a nonprobability sample and a probability sample.
• Development of a method for estimating relations between target variables that are observed in different datasets.
• Exploration of the practical aspects of the developed methods so they can be applied in practice.
• Application of the developed methods to real-life data.
• Development of software.

 

The project will be supervised by Prof. dr. Ton de Waal, dr. Lizbeth Burgos-Ochoa. 

 

Your responsibilities

• Your research work towards carrying out the proposed research described below, with the aim to write several academic articles that are publishable in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and to develop the accompanying software.
• You will present key findings at national and international scientific conferences and write a dissertation.
• You will actively participate in the Department of Methodology and Statistics.
• You will contribute to education and supervision (e.g. supervising bachelor’s theses and research skills groups; not more than 10% of your time will be devoted)

We are looking for a PhD candidate with a strong background in statistics, programming (e.g., R, Python, or C++) and data analytical skills. Affinity with research methods and techniques is required. Furthermore, the candidate should have (nearly) completed a Master’s degree with excellent academic results in methodology, statistics, mathematics, sociometrics, or a related field. Academic curiosity and an interest to work in an interdisciplinary environment are important characteristics for this position.

 

Other requirements include:

• Communication and cooperation skills and the willingness to work in a team.
• Project management and organization skills.
• Interest in open science.
• Proficiency in English, including academic writing.
• Interest in providing small-scale education, such as teaching working groups or bachelor thesis supervision.

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 1.0 fte (40 hours per week). 
• A salary of minimum €2.901 and maximum €3.707 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile PhD and salary scale PhD. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience. 
• This is a vacancy for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. 
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave. 
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport. 
• A monthly internet allowance of €25.
• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center. 
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions). 
• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary. 
• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center. 
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities. 
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

 

For more information, see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities. 

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

 

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral sciences
Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (TSB) is one of the five faculties of Tilburg University. The teaching and research of the Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences are organized around the themes of “Adaptive societies, organizations, and workers”, “Healthy life span”, and “Personalized prevention and care”. The School’s inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions, involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences | Tilburg University

 

Department Methodology and Statistics
The Department of Methodology and Statistics is responsible for education and research in methodology and statistics for the social and behavioral sciences.
Methodology and statistics play an essential role in all subfields of the social and behavioral sciences, and related fields. At the Department of Methodology and Statistics we do research on and teach about quantitative and qualitative methods that researchers need in order to answer challenging research questions, come up with strong research designs, critically apply statistical analyses, and avoid bias when interpreting research findings. Within the department, there is a strong focus on developing novel statistical and methodological techniques to tackle complex problems in the social and behavioral sciences.
Department Methodology and Statistics | Tilburg University

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact:

• Prof. dr. Ton de Waal  via A.G.deWaal@tilburguniversity.edu or 
• dr. Lizbeth Burgos-Ochoa via L.BurgosOchoa@tilburguniversity.edu