https://applicationsinter.unil.ch/inter/noauth/php/Po/pooffres.php?poid=3398&langage=8
Full-time PhD position in forensic science at University of Lausanne School of Criminal Justice, Institute of Forensic Science
Subject areas: Forensic interpretation and comparative handwriting examinations
About the School: The School of Criminal Justice (www.unil.ch/esc), with its Institute of Forensic Science (IFS), is affiliated with the Faculty of Law, Criminal Justice and Public Administration of the University of Lausanne (UNIL). The IFS dates back to the legal photography courses taught at the beginning of the 20th Century by Professor Archibald Rodolphe Reiss. It was the world’s first academic Forensic Science school and has, today, a longstanding international reputation of excellence for research in forensic science. It offers complete academic education and training in forensic science (at BSc, MSc and PhD level) and is particularly committed to recruiting outstanding PhD researchers.
PhD Position Summary: The School of Criminal Justice is seeking an aspiring young scientist to start a PhD research project on probabilistic evaluation of comparative handwriting examinations using graphical models (i.e., Bayesian networks). A Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Grant funds the starting phase of this PhD project during a period of 18 months.
Project Summary: The primary objective of this SNSF funded research is to rely on Bayesian networks within a general methodology for structured expert knowledge elicitation and analysis in order to build diagrammatic interpretation structures that have the potential to become part of the scope of resources that forensic experts need to substantiate probabilistic evaluations and conclusions in cases involving the results of comparative handwriting examinations. The appointed PhD candidate in this project will work closely with practising forensic handwriting examiners and conduct both fundamental research on probabilistic interpretation in the context of forensic handwriting examination and in-depth case studies. The project also involves exchanges on methods and approaches with a researcher from the Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science of the China University of Political Science and Law, Beijing (CUPL).
Required Qualifications: Applicants must have a strong background in science, preferably forensic science or mathematics/statistics, with an emphasis on Bayesian inference and data analysis. Further, applicants should have or be willing to acquire a thorough understanding of the belief-type (i.e., subjectivist) interpretation of probability, case based probabilistic reasoning and methods for probability elicitation (in particular when data are scarce). Knowledge and experience in graphical probability models (i.e. Bayesian networks) and practical skills with the R computer language are also highly welcomed and would be a real advantage. The candidate is expected to show ability to work independently and effectively on a structured schedule in order to meet deadlines and produce the project deliveries in time. Good communication skills (written and oral) and proficiency in English will be additional assets.
Work Location: This PhD project is hosted at UNIL’s School of Criminal Justice, located at Lausanne-Dorigny, and is jointly supervised by Prof. Franco Taroni (PhD advisor) and Dr. Alex Biedermann. The successful applicant will meet a stimulating and exciting research environment where many other PhD students in different domains pursue their research projects. The applicant will also have the opportunity to participate in the School’s unique doctoral program (http://www.unil.ch/esc/doctoral-program) that brings together PhD students of UNIL as well as any PhD student from another university delivering a PhD in forensic science or criminology.
How to apply and further information: Applicants should electronically submit (in a single PDF) a cover letter, curriculum vitae and one reference letter to Prof. Franco Taroni (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Alex Biedermann (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Deadline for applications is December 19th 2014. The earliest starting date is March 2015. For inquiries and e-mail correspondence please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The salary for this full-time position, including social security contributions, follows standard SNSF and UNIL regulations (CHF 47’040/EUR 39’000 p.a., excl. social security contributions). Ref: n°3398
