一位中国学者及其合作者对地学领域一个长期争论不休的重大问题（西北太平洋边缘海起源和演化）进行了十年磨一剑的研究，将研究成果（约110页两篇文稿）应约寄给牛津大学（University of Oxford）教授P. England, 他给了一个总体评价（注：约定时他很忙，但他承诺能给个总体评价。约一个月后他给了这个评价）: ......Having said that, I found the papers to be very well written, and to present a coherent and convincing view of the tectonic history of the region. Prof. England 是当今最伟大的欧亚大陆板块构造研究专家之一。虽然他评阅文稿的时间仓促和对文中涉及众多重要问题的每个新思想评价不一定都十分在行，但仍然能体现他专业上的高水准，他的评价是一针见血的，体现在关键词 coherent （前人的研究是在一个错误的大前提下，把许多重要问题孤立的研究，得出非常复杂的、杂乱的认识）。中国学者的研究再次证明真理常常是简单的。这个评价应该是历史性的。但必须说明，这个重大问题并没有彻底解决（在边缘海演化重建方面还有工作需要进一步深入），现在大约完成了80分左右， 如果彻底解决是100分的话。 欢迎对这个评价和有关问题继续讨论和质疑。 . . 相关联接： http://www.sciencenet.cn/m/user_content.aspx?id=378190 http://www.sciencenet.cn/m/user_content.aspx?id=355397 和 http://www.sciencenet.cn/m/user_content.aspx?id=260500 http://www.sciencenet.cn/m/user_content.aspx?id=378190
Senior Research Fellowship at the Oxford-Man Institute, University of Oxford Three year post, starting 1st September 2011 Grade 09S 42,563 - 49,342 (with a discretionary range to 53,981 p.a.) The fellowships are likely to be accompanied by non-stipendiary College research fellowships, the details of which will be available at the interview stage. If no suitable applicants are identified on the grade 09S then the post may be offered as a Research Fellowship on the grade 08S 36,715 - 43,840 scale (with a discretionary range to 47,905) with an appropriate change in the duties Job Description Responsible to: Professor Neil Shephard, Institute Research Director Purpose: To conduct high-quality research in quantitative finance. Duties Research: To engage in original and objective research in quantitative finance and to lead our research effort in a specialist area of interest to the Institute; To establish a high profile for the new Institute in academia and in the wider community; To train, guide and motivate research students and junior colleagues; To work effectively and collegially with colleagues as part of a team, including participating in running of seminar series, conferences and symposia; To be sympathetic to the way researchers from other disciplines approach quantitative finance. To contribute to the planning of the Institutes research direction and aims; To develop collaborations with other institutions and to help develop a international reputation in a particular area of quantitative finance. 2 Teaching: The University of Oxford runs two highly successful one year masters courses which are related to Quantitative Finance. The MSc. in Mathematical and Computational Finance, run by the Mathematics Department and Computing Lab, started in 2007 and has around 30 students. The MSc. in Financial Economics (MFE) started in 2005 and has around 80 students. It is jointly run by the Economics Department and the Said Business School. The successful candidate would be encouraged to contribute to the design and delivery of teaching of one of these courses. Typically this will take the form of teaching an elective in some aspect of quantitative finance related to the candidates research interests. If the Research Fellow wishes to carry out teaching beyond 24 hours of contact time then they need the explicit permission of the Research Director of the Institute. Selection Criteria The ability to carry out an independent programme of research; An international reputation in research in an area of quantitative finance; Significant publication record (commensurate with career stage) and qualifications in appropriate disciplines for research in quantitative finance; The ability to contribute effectively to ensuring the long-term development of Quantitative Finance in the University and in the wider academic community; The ability to initiate, maintain and lead research; The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues, including participating in running of seminar series; The ability to contribute effectively to teaching at Masters level in Quantitative Finance. OXFORD-MAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITATIVE FINANCE Founded in 2007, the Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance is an interdisciplinary research centre in quantitative finance. It is a part of the University of Oxford. It has a particular focus on alternative investments. The Institute draws researchers and students from the following Departments at Oxford: Computing Laboratory, Economics, Engineering, Mathematics, Said Business School and Statistics. It has its own building in the heart of Oxford, which houses its faculty, post-docs and students, as well as support staff. It provides excellent research facilities including outstanding computing and data resources and a well supported seminar program. It also runs conferences and an annual symposium. The main feature of the Institute is that it provides space for researchers with an interest in quantitative finance to pursue their own intellectual agendas, working on topics of their own choosing, in a supportive environment. The main financial support for the Institute is from Man Group plc, a FTSE100 company. As well as providing very substantial long-term funding for the Institute, Man has collocated with the Institute its own research laboratory. The research laboratory fosters interaction between the academic world and practitioners. The following Oxford University faculty are members of the Institute: Mike Giles, Professor of Scientific Computing. Computational finance working on both Monte Carlo and finite difference methods. Georg Gottlob, Professor of Computing Science. Computational finance. Web data extraction, constraint satisfaction, computational logic, data bases, data base theory. Chris Holmes, Professor of Biostatistics, Lecturer in Statistical Genetics. Machine learning and pattern analysis via probabalistic data modelling. Sam Howison, Professor of Mathematics, Mathematical finance; derivatives pricing; energy markets; asymptotic methods; market microstructure models. Terry Lyons, FRS, Wallis Professor of Mathematics. Stochastic analysis, particularly the control of non-linear systems driven by rough paths; particle filters. Jose Martinez, Lecturer in Finance. Capital markets, investments and investor behaviour. Tarun Ramadorai, Reader in Finance. Empirical asset pricing, international finance and hedge funds. Stephen Roberts, Head of the Pattern Analysis Machine Learning Group at Oxford. Machine learning approaches to data analysis, particularly problems in time series analysis and decision theory. Neil Shephard, FBA, Director of the Oxford-Man Institute Economics Professor. Financial econometrics. Modelling volatility in continuous time, statistical analysis of time series. Kevin Sheppard, Lecturer in Economics. Financial econometrics. Measurement, modelling and forecasting properties of multivariate financial time series. Thaleia Zariphopoulou, Man Professor of Quantitative Finance. Stochastic evolution of forward investment performance process, Monotonicity properties of optimal feedback portfolios, Valuation of early exercise claims under forward performance criteria Xunyu Zhou, Nomura Professor of Mathematical Finance. Quantitative finance and Insurance, stochastic optimal control, applied probability and stochastic processes More details about the Institute are available at: http://www.oxford-man.ox.ac.uk/ . Facilities The Oxford-Man Institute opened in September 2007. The Institute has grown rapidly since then and recently relocated to new premises in Jericho (Eagle House, Walton Well Road). The new building includes a state of the art lecture theatre, double the office space of the previous building, a large common area on the top floor with lovely views over Oxford and more space for the Man Research Laboratory, which has also expanded significantly since the Institutes opening in 2007. The Institute provides office accommodation for its faculty and research. It aims to provide first rate IT facilities for its members and gives each member a personal research allowance to support their own research. The level of this allowance is determined by the Executive committee and is currently 5,000 a year. In addition there is generous support for seminar speakers, visitors, conference organisation, etc. RESEARCH AND TEACHING IN FINANCE WITHIN OXFORD Oxford has a strong reputation for high quality research and teaching in various areas connected to finance, with colleagues working together across traditional disciplinary boundaries. We have three formal research groups: Finance Group at the Said Business School, the Mathematical and Computational Finance Group (which contains within it the Nomura Centre for Mathematical Finance) and the Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance. Quite a number of colleagues are members of two of these research groupings, the groups run joint seminars and jointly organise the Oxford University Practitioner Lectures in Finance --- reflecting how well these groups work together. In addition we have a number of informal groups of researchers, with particular interests in subjects like finance and law. A significant feature of the Oxford landscape in finance is that research and teaching is coordinated through the Oxford Financial Research Centre (OFRC) --- which provides a single portal through which interested parties can learn about our research and teaching. Its webpage www.finance.ox.ac.uk provides an exhaustive list of researchers at Oxford with an interest in finance. How to Apply Applicants should send a CV including a list of publications, employment history and education, together with a cover letter and two research papers to personnel@oxfordman . ox.ac.uk no later than 6 January 2011. Further information about the Oxford-Man Institute can be found at www.oxford-man.ox.ac.uk . GENERAL INFORMATION Salary The salary offered for the appointment to this job will be based on an annual salary in the range 42,563 - 49,342 with a discretionary range to 53,981 (University Grade 9 as at August 2010), depending on qualifications and experience. If you are appointed at a salary below the top of this range, your salary will automatically be increased each year until you have reached the top point. Increases beyond this point may be available in certain cases. There is also an annual cost-of-living salary review, which normally takes place in summer each year. Holiday The annual holiday entitlement will be 38 days, including 8 public holidays. Holidays must be arranged in consultation with the Head of administration. Pension The post is pensionable and the postholder eligible for membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), a contributory scheme to which members pay 6.35 per cent of annual salary. Subject to the Universitys Statement of Pensions Policy, which will be issued to the successful candidate, the appointee will be deemed to be in membership of USS until such time as he or she gives notice in writing to exercise the right not to be a member of the scheme. The Universitys normal retirement date for academic-related staff is 30 September immediately preceding the 66th birthday, except that, if the successful candidate can establish vested rights, as defined in the Universitys statutes (details available on request), in retirement at age 67 or later, then the date of retirement will not normally be later than the 30 September immediately preceding the 68th birthday. Maternity Leave and Childcare The University has a generous maternity leave scheme and also offers paternity leave to expectant fathers and partners, and adoption leave. It offers subsidised nursery places, a childminding network, a holiday playscheme, and tax and National Insurance savings schemes. For further information see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child . General benefits More information on the benefits of working for the University is given in the note attached to these further particulars. Probationary period The appointment will be subject to an initial probationary period of one year, during which the appointment may be terminated by one months notice on either side. Following the successful completion of the probationary period the period of notice would be three months on each side. Right to work in the UK Applicants who would need a work visa if appointed to the post are asked to note that under the UKs new points-based migration system they will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient points, and in particular that: (i) they have sufficient English language skills (evidenced by having passed a test in basic English, or coming from a majority English-speaking country, or having taken a degree taught in English) and (ii) that they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves and any dependants until they receive their first salary payment. Further information is available at: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/generalarrangements/eligibility . The University reserves the right to screen individuals for employment. Any such screening would be discussed with an individual in advance of its taking place. Equal opportunities at the University of Oxford The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that all staff are offered equal opportunities within employment. Entry into employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her gender, marital or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, religion or belief, racial group, age or disability. Where suitably qualified individuals are available, selection committees will contain at least one member of each sex. Data Protection All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post1 and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Universitys Data Protection Policy. BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD At the University of Oxford, we are naturally very proud of our outstanding reputation for scholarship and research. But we are also proud to say that we are one of the regions biggest and best-established employers, with a real diversity of staff helping to sustain our success - from lab assistants, cleaners, technicians and secretaries, to IT, finance and administrative professionals. Join us, and you can expect to find yourself working in a friendly, open-minded atmosphere where your ideas will be welcomed, with an interesting and satisfying job to do, and with plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, or maybe even get some extra qualifications. As well as pay and other benefits such as generous holidays and an excellent pension scheme, we may be able to help you with: Training we train our staff, both in the skills needed for starting the job, and to help them develop afterwards. If you do not have all the skills we are looking for (e.g. computer packages), but you know that you are a quick learner, it is worth asking if training might be available. Working hours we may be able to be flexible about working patterns to help you combine work with responsibilities at home. Even for full-time jobs, we can often adjust starting and finishing times, or even sometimes consider term-time-only working: if this is important to you, let us know. Disability if you have a disability, we have specialist staff who can help you to start and stay in work. Childcare we have several subsidised nurseries for under-fives, a holiday play scheme, tax and national insurance savings schemes, and are looking to expand our facilities. For further information see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child . Parenting as well as providing childcare facilities, we have generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes to help new parents on our staff. Cultural and religious needs we respect the cultural and religious lives of our staff. If you need time away from work, or special facilities, and can give plenty of notice for arrangements to be made, this will always be considered. Travel arrangements we offer an interest-free season ticket loan scheme for bus or train season tickets. Annual passes for Oxford Bus Company routes are available at discounted rates. Use of University facilities all University staff can use the study facilities provided by University libraries and museums; join the University Club, a sports and social club which has its own bar, caf, and reading room; and make use of the University Sports Complex and the Pulse fitness centre. Discounts a number of discounts are available to University staff e.g. for insurance, holiday travel, and computer equipment. The range of benefits is continuously reviewed and extended. Further details are on the Personnel website at www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ps/staff/benefits . If you come from outside the area, you may be interested to know that as well as the famous tourist attractions such as the dreaming spires of all the lovely old buildings, the river, and a number of attractive parks and gardens, Oxford also has a busy shopping centre and a lively nightlife, particularly during term time. Housing is relatively expensive within the city, but nearby areas such as Didcot or Bicester are more reasonably priced. Although car parking is difficult during the day, there are good train and bus services, including several Park and Ride routes; and, of course, lots of cycle paths.
在教堂学院里卖纪念品的商店里，看到一张非常美的明信片:照的是一个雾蒙蒙的清晨或傍晚，一个青年用一根长长的竹竿，撑着一只独木舟悠然划过一个古老的桥洞的背影。那照的是流过牛津的运河。很喜欢那张照片的意境，下一站我就选在运河附近的Magdalen学院。 Magdalen学院建于1458年。当时的规模是一位校长，七十位学者（Scholars），一个16人的唱诗班，还有12个男人。这些人里，只有校长是容许结婚的。现在这里有六百名学生，其中四百名本科生，两百多研究生； 70位Fellows(不知中文应该怎么翻译才准确），其中12位常驻的，传授从科学到人文科目广泛的知识。这里的本科生是以一对一的方式同导师学习，同时学院还有讲座和动手的实践课程。学院有五个图书馆，藏书包括1481年建校者捐赠的800多部手稿。 至今为止，Magdalen学院出了七位诺贝尔奖获得者。其中物理奖一位（Dr. Erwin Schrodinger, 1933), 四位医学奖（Sir Charles Sherrington,1932; Lord Howard Florey,1945, 最早的青霉素的提炼者; Sir Peter Medawar 1960; Sir John Eccles 1963), 一位化学奖 （Sir Robert Robinson, 1947), 和一位文学奖(Seamus Heaney, 1995). Magdalen学院最显眼的建筑是一座144英尺高（大约48米）的方方正正的大塔（The Great Tower). 从1492年奠基，到1509年，花了十七年才建成。之后成了牛津的地标。在英格兰内战期间（English Civil War), 在1642年牛津曾一度作为查理王一世（King Charles I）的都城。那时候，大塔是非常重要的防御建筑。 Magdalen学院紧挨着运河，运河穿过Magdalen桥后就汇合到Cherwell河中。沿着运河到Magdalen桥是一段长着参天大树的小路，树下是一片灿烂的白色和紫色的盛开的雏菊。运河对面是大片的绿色的鹿苑。在Magdalen桥下，有一个小码头，游人们划着独木舟穿过桥洞，到Cherwell河去玩儿。那张富有浪漫情调的明信片大概就是在这儿附近拍的。可惜这时候是阳光灿烂的下午，我拍不到那种雾蒙蒙的感觉了。不过，看到古桥，桥洞对面被阳光照亮的树叶，桥上看风景的游人，还有撑船的游人，觉得另有一番浪漫。 Magdalen桥上看到的大塔。 从Magdalen学院的走廊向外张望。 运河旁边开满花儿的林荫小路 在Magdalen学院新楼外面的草地上，正碰到一对新人在举行婚礼。这儿的确是个浪漫美好的地方。 再来几张花了不少时间拍的古桥-运河-船夫的逆光照（时间都花在耐心地等撑船的义务演员上了 ：） 桥上的人在看风景，不知道他们自己也成了我镜头里的风景。
在巴士转第二圈时，我就在看准的有趣的地方下车逛了。第一个地方就是Christ Church College and Cathedral。这是一个很特别的学院，因为它的建筑是一座大教堂。并且，这儿跟两本非常有名的儿童读物都有关系。其一，是作家兼数学家 Lewis Carroll（他的笔名叫 Charles Dodgson）于1855年至1898年在这儿当数学导师，他以他的朋友Henry Liddell-当时的教堂学院的院长的女儿爱丽丝为原型写的爱丽斯漫游奇境。故事中描述过的兔子洞，草地什么的，现在都还能找到踪影。这教堂学院和另外一部儿童读物的关系是最近才搭上的：电影哈里珀特里的那个令成千上万的孩子们向往的魔法学校，就是在这里拍的。 不过，为了参观教堂学院，找它的大门倒让我费尽了周折。旅游车在教堂学院街边儿的大门前停下来，我跳下车，正好奇地向里边张望，门口一位像是从福尔摩斯小说里走出来的，戴着黑色礼帽的看门人对我说，参观的人要走右面的门。我看到一个箭头，便顺着它指的方向走进一大片草地。那儿真得很美：能看到教堂的尖顶的塔楼，绿草坪上还有很多人坐着，躺着，聊天或看书，享受着阳光。 不由自主地走到了一个铁栅栏门前，心想这大概就是参观者的门了。不知道为什么，这个铁栅栏门设计得非常奇怪：有两层，只能在关上一个门的时候才能打开另一个门，中间只能容得下一个身材比较瘦的人侧身而过。推着自行车的，或是象我的美国同事鲍勃那种皮球身材的人，非得卡在中间动不了。不知道这种设计是为了防什么。我心里纳闷儿着，要是着火了，逃生的人挤在这儿，大概都得变成烤肉串儿！ 过了铁门，穿过一条狭窄的一面是围墙，一面是铁栅栏的路，终于看到了另一个大门。正想走进去，又出来了一个戴黑礼帽的看门人把我叫住，说这儿是参观的出口，入口在草地那边儿！看来我是贪看风景，错过了入口。只好再折回，从奇怪的铁门里绕出来，仔细找入口。原来，因为入口的地方正搭着脚手架修葺，被我当成建筑工地错过了。 从脚手架下边钻出来，又看到戴着黑礼帽的人，这回是卖票收费。我看过美国和欧洲大陆的不少教堂，这一点是英国的特色，参观教堂要收费。不知道上帝他老人家会对这种创收作何感想。后来知道参观牛津的不少学院也是要缴费的--这一点跟参观美国的往往是连围墙都没有的大学非常不同。 交完费，领到一本印刷精致的小册子，顺着规定的路线边走边看，才明白这儿跟斯坦福是用完全不同的经营理念来对待游人和校园的。不知道牛津是不是因为久负盛名，慕名而来的游人过多。这儿的卖点是历史，典故，古建筑，所以三步一岗五步一哨，时时有戴黑礼帽的人冒出来提醒你，不要踩了草坪，要沿着规定的路线走。。。而当我在斯坦福的校园里穿着轮滑鞋东游西逛时，或是也背着书包，混迹在其他学生中，赶着听对学生和全体大众免费的讲演或音乐会时，没有人关心我是不是学生，也没有人要求我只能按画好的路线走。斯坦福的卖点是一种强大无形的吸引力。 在戴黑礼帽的人严加把守的大门前偷窥一眼 那让我贪看风景错过大门的大草坪 爱丽丝当年追兔子的地方？ 奇怪的铁门 教堂学院的内院--那可爱的草坪可不是游人随便踩的 古典的建筑，还有那背着手，严肃认真地监督着你一定要按画好的路线走的人 这个地方是不是很面熟？觉得对面走过来的就是珀特和他在魔法学院的两个好朋友。 在出口又遇到尽职尽责的守门人。他们让我和牛津之间增加了一种难以言传的距离感。
牛津建校 900 余年，培养了 30 余位首相和 250 余位世界各国的领导人，近 50 位诺贝尔奖获得者，一大批世界知名的学者。牛津的骄人成绩使它成为人们关注、阐释的对象，成为大学发展史上的斯芬克斯之谜。它成功的秘诀是什么呢？ 有人认为是学院制。 无疑，这是一个比较让人接受的结论。牛津大学自己也认为 The collegiate system is at the heart of the Universitys success. 牛津大学的学院与我们一般意义上理解的大学学院有很大不同。牛津的学院是牛津大学的重要有机体，是先于大学并在法律意义上高于大学的机构。牛津大学没有自己的设立许可证（ Charter ），而只有后来形成的成文章程（ Statutes Regulations ），而牛津的学院则均有自己的宪章（ Charter ）。同时，牛津大学的学院也不是一级学科或二级学科的集中地，而是综合学科的有机体，牛津的学院都可以看作是一个独立的大学。牛津的学院主要是教育学生而不是教学的地方，其主要的职责有两个：一是为学生提供住宿、学习的场所和条件；二是为学生准备导师。牛津大学的学院是独立的王国，它完全独立于大学而运行，或者最多说学院与大学的关系类似于美国州与政府的关系。牛津的学院制毫无疑义是牛津成功的法宝，是牛津之所以为牛津的重要条件。 有人说是导师制。 牛津的导师制天下第一。牛津大学对此的说法是 The tutorial is at the core of undergraduate teaching and learning at Oxford. It offers students a unique learning experience in which they meet regularly with their tutor, either on a one-to-one basis or with one or two other students. 牛津现任执行校长汉密尔顿（ Andrew Hamilton ）也认为牛津延续 700 多年本科教育的珠宝是每位导师每周一对一地辅导 1 至 4 名学生。 委实如此，牛津大学为每一位本科生配备一名导师，每位导师带 6-20 位学生。但其每次辅导不会超过 4 人，大多的情况是一对一的辅导。导师制有效地促进了学生开放思维、发散思维的形成。 但我认为除此之多还有两个东西可以称之为牛津的法宝。 其一是自治 牛津的自治包含有两个层面的意思，第一是大学层面的，大学是独立于政府之外的第三部门（也有人称为第四部门），无论怎么称呼，中心的意思是大学完全按照自身的逻辑运行，而不必理会政府甚至是社会的欲望。牛津大学历史上曾拒绝过大学的城市化运动，也曾拒绝过实用技术进入大学。当然，让大家津津乐道的是布莱尔当政时，牛津大学拒绝布莱尔劝其录取一苏格兰优秀（成绩为全 A ）女生的请求或命令，并因布莱尔私下的妄语而取消授予布莱尔 荣誉 博士学位的原定计划，并对政府干预学校事务提出抗议。其二是学院层面的，学院也是一个独立的王国。前任校长胡德曾想变革牛津大学的治理结构，并为此由理事会提出了三个改革方案 ( 《牛津治理结构 ( 绿皮书 ) 》、《牛津治理讨论稿》、《牛津大学治理 ( 白皮书 ) 》 ) 。可这些方案同样遭到学院的反对，最后被牛津大学议会（ Congregation ）否决。要知道，一般情况下，议会不会否决理事会提出的立法建议和决议。从 2000 年 10 月 1 日起 也只有此一项立法建议被议会否决。牛津的自治确保了大学的学术自由 和 教授治校。 其二是国际化 国际化是指师生构成的国际化。牛津大学自诞生之日起就是一个国际化的学术团体，这种国际性保留至今。如今，牛津大学 40% 教师来自国外； 15% 的本科生、 61% 的研究生来自世界上 100 多个国家，留学生总数占到其学生总数的 30% 以上。 国际化的师资和国际化的学生确保了牛津大学的文化多元性，不同文化的学生、学生在一起学习有利于学科交叉、文化理解。国际化不仅可以产生一流的学者、一流的人才、一流的成果，也有利于世界的各国人民的理解与尊重，利于人类的共同进步，利于人类社会的和谐与共生。 http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html http://www.gmw.cn/content/2010-05/14/content_1121179.htm http://www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/facts_and_figures/index.html
标签: 牛津大学
