ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CAMPAIGN EPIDEMIOLOGY UNIT
SCHOOL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY & HEALTH SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
PhD Studentship
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD studentship within the
ARC Epidemiology Unit. This internationally renowned Unit carries
out an extensive research programme into the causes and burden of
rheumatic diseases in the population, and the successful candidate
would be involved in studies of chronic pain. Candidates should be
graduates with a good honours degree (1st class/upper 2nd class) in
science or a related field. Experience in the use of computerised
databases and/or data analysis would be desirable. Application forms
and further particulars can be obtained from the Office of the
Director of Personnel, University of Manchester, Stopford Building,
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT. Informal enquiries can be
made to Professor Gary Macfarlane or Dr. John McBeth on 0161-
275-5191. The advertisement and further particulars can be found on
http://www.medicine.man.ac.uk/epidem/chronic.htm. The University is
an Equal Opportunity Employer. The closing date for applications is
6th September 2000.
FURTHER PARTICULARS
PhD Studentship
(Stipend ,11,000)
Background
Applications are invited for a full-time PhD studentship within the
ARC Epidemiology Unit. This internationally renowned Unit carries
out an extensive research programme into the causes and burden of
rheumatic diseases in the population. The successful candidate would
be involved in studies of chronic pain. Candidates should be
graduates with a good honours degree (1st class/upper 2nd class) in
science or a related field. Experience in the use of computerised
databases and/or data analysis would be desirable.
The precise topic of the PhD studentship would be finalised on
appointment, but it will principally involve the analysis of data from
one or more of the large population-based pain surveys which the unit
is conducting. These studies examine the occurrence of regional and
widespread pain and their aetiology. Particular interest has focussed
on the role of mechanical (injury) factors and adverse psychological
and psychosocial factors.
The applicant would work in the Pain Research Group of the ARC
Epidemiology Unit under Professor Gary Macfarlane. On a day-to-
day basis they would be responsible to (and be supervised by) Dr.
John McBeth.
Specific Duties of the Studentship will Include
1. Entry of study data on to computer databases.
2. The preparation of study data for analysis
3. Analysis (under supervision) of data collected as part of the
population pain surveys
{SEQ1_0 \* Arabic \r 4}4. Preparation of oral and written reports of the data analysis
{SEQ1_0 \* Arabic \n}5. Preparation of background papers and reviews on relevant
topics
{SEQ1_0 \* Arabic \n}6. Satisfying the requirements of the proscribed programme of
graduate study
Person Specification
Essential
# A good honours degree (1st class/upper 2nd class) in science
or a related field
# Some experience of using computerised databases
# Methodical and conscientious approach to work
# Ability to work independently, plan and organise own work
schedule to meet deadlines
# Evidence of independent thought
# Flexibility
# Good communication skills, both verbal and written
Desirable
# Some knowledge of statistics
# Experience of data-entry using computerised databases
# Some knowledge of survey and database design
# Interest in rheumatic disorders and their consequences
# Non-smoker
The ARC Epidemiology Research Unit
The Unit is a research group within the School of Epidemiology and
Health Sciences at the University of Manchester
(http://www.medicine.man.ac.uk/epidem/homepage.htm.) It is unique
internationally in undertaking a number of important and substantial
population studies across the whole range of musculoskeletal and
rheumatic disorders. In addition, the Unit provides a unique service
giving advice and issuing data in relation to the rheumatic diseases to
a wide variety of bodies and organisations, both internationally and in
the United Kingdom. It has extensive international links and has
visitors both short-term and long-term from overseas.
Research Programme
The successful candidate would be involved in the pain research
programme. These are studying the major regional and widespread
pain disorders, including low back pain, fibromyalgia and shoulder
pain. They are conducted in collaboration with the Unit of Chronic
Disease Epidemiology.
Other research programmes in the ARC Epidemiology Unit are:
_ genetic epidemiology: nationwide twin study of rheumatoid
arthritis, a UK collaborative study of multicase rheumatoid
arthritis families and population genetic studies of populations in
Nigeria, Hong Kong, Israel and other areas.
_ clinical epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis: the Unit has set up a
unique population based register for rheumatoid arthritis in
Norwich with a view to studying the incidence of, risk factors for,
and prognosis of, rheumatoid arthritis in a true population sample.
_ scleroderma: the Unit through its contacts with the UK
Scleroderma Study Group and the wider United States/European
Scleroderma Working Group is undertaking a number of studies
on the aetiology and clinical assessment of scleroderma.
_ osteoporosis: the Unit is the coordinating centre for a 39 centre,
20 country study on the prevalence of and risk factors for
vertebral osteoporosis in European and Mediterranean countries.
Computing and Statistical Facilities
The Unit has substantial data processing facilities based on links with
Manchester University=s main frame and on a network of IBM
compatible PC=s linked to a large hard disc storage facility. Access to
the major data processing and statistical software packages is readily
available. There are also a large number of terminals available for
individual word processing, spreadsheet and simple graphical work.
Library Facilities
The Unit has a large library and subscribes to some 60 journals
including all major epidemiology, statistics, rheumatology, and
community medicine journals. All members of the Unit=s staff also
have ready access to the University library. The Unit has a
professional librarian and all searching facilities are readily available.
Other Facilities
The Unit has its own facilities for producing 35 mm transparencies for
the purposes of publications, poster and spoken presentations. A
high quality photocopier, microfilm and facsimile facilities are
available within the Unit.
Meetings
The Unit holds weekly in-house journal clubs and research seminars,
both of which are run on informal lines. Members of staff are also
encouraged to attend relevant lectures and seminars run by the
Rheumatology and other Epidemiology research groups. Courses are
also run by the Staff Development Centre. From time to time
members of staff are encouraged to present work and attend national
and international meetings.
Postgraduate teaching and research programme
The School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences offers modules on
the MRes in Community and Health, attracting both clinical and non-
clinical graduates(http://www.ihs.man.ac.uk/fullmres.htm). This
Masters programme is also open to attendance on single modules for
PhD students within the University. The School has a thriving
programme of training for its PhD and other research students.
Approximately 40 students are registered at present.
Applying for this position
Application forms and further particulars can be obtained from the
Office of the Director of Personnel, University of Manchester,
Stopford Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT. Informal
enquiries can be made to Professor Gary Macfarlane or Dr. John
McBeth (0161-275-5191). The advertisement and job description
may also be found on the Unit=s home page:http//:www.arc.man.ac.uk.
The advertisement and further particulars can be found on the home
page of the Unit of Chronic Disease Epidemiology:
http//:www.medicine.man.ac.uk/epidem/chronic.htm. The closing date
is Wednesday 6th September 2000 and interviews will be held on
Friday 15th September 2000.
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