The University of Cambridge is creating a new mathematical statistics group, hiring five permanent academics, 21 postdoctoral researchers, and nine PhD students to strengthen the UK’s statistical research base. This matters because modern statistics is the engine behind reliable decision-making in science, engineering, and industry. The group will develop core mathematical and methodological theory that can be applied across many fields—from engineering to medicine—rather than solving one-off problems. By embedding the new statisticians within Cambridge’s Engineering Department and other partner groups, the project ensures that theoretical advances are directly informed by real-world challenges. If successful, the initiative will produce a pipeline of trained independent researchers for UK academia and industry, while generating generic statistical tools that improve how complex systems are understood and controlled. These tools could quietly enhance things people rarely think about: manufacturing quality control, supply chain reliability, medical trial design, or energy grid stability. The research is fundamentally curiosity-driven, building the mathematical foundations that allow future applied breakthroughs—much as earlier work in statistical theory underpinned today’s machine learning and data science.
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We will build a group in Mathematical Statistics based upon established excellence and expertise in the Statistical Laboratory and elsewhere in the University. Theoretical statistics takes its life blood from areas of potential application, and thus the current project will be developed in collaboration with distinguished groups elsewhere in Cambridge and the UK. The principal target of the Statistics group will be to develop core mathematical and methodological statistics of generic importance for applications. The major partner is the Engineering Department, where applications are confronted through the development of generic theory. Through strong links to application areas, the research of the group will bring greater value to UK industryFour new Lectureships will be established, funded initially from the EPSRC Award but thereafter as a full charge on University funds. A further University-funded Chair in Statistics will be created in the Statistical Laboratory. The five appointees will join existing tenured staff in the Statistical Laboratory and Engineering with associated interests to form a new group. There will be about 21 person-years of postdoctoral Research Assistantship, and 9 PhD studentships. The individuals appointed to these posts will support the research programmes of members of the group, will collaborate with cognate groups in Cambridge, and will be trained as independent researchers suitable for employment in the UK higher-education sector. The Research Assistants will pursue innovative research, while developing their levels of administrative and teaching skills through contact with undergraduate and graduate students.
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