1. EPSRC PhD Mathematical Sciences Industrial CASE Award for 3.5 years.
Modelling genetic effects in the transmission of pneumococcal carriage
and infection.
Supervised by Dr D Greenhalgh and Prof C Robertson, Statistics and
Modelling Science, Strathclyde University and Dr D McIntosh, Wyeth
Pharmaceutics, , in collaboration with Dr Claire Cameron, Health
Protection Scotland.
Background and Description
Pneumococcal infection can be acquired by anyone though children under 2
years of age and the elderly are most susceptible. While the most
common outcome of exposure to pneumococci is transient colonisation with
no visible disease, the disease could spread leading to invasive
disease, such as pneumonia, meningitis and bacteraemia, and non invasive
diseases, such as otitis media and sinusitis, in susceptible
individuals. Invasive pneumococcal disease is associated with a
considerable health care burden.
Streptococcus Pneumoniae can be classified according to serological
criteria and 90 serotypes have been identified. Some serotypes are more
commonly carried than others and some are more associated with invasive
pneumococcal disease than others,. Currently there are two vaccines: a
23-valent polysaccharide which protects against invasive disease but
offers no protection against carriage and a multivalent conjugate
vaccine which protects against carriage of the target serotypes. It is
the potential effects of this conjugate vaccination which are the
subject of this proposed research. It is recognized that the
elimination of carriage of some serotypes may lead to a change in the
serotype distribution in the population which may have unexpected
consequences for invasive disease.
The main aim of this project is to develop mathematical and statistical
models for the transmission of pneumococcal carriage and invasive
disease using genetic sequence information as well as serotype
information. These models will be used to investigate the interplay
between sequences and serotypes and the impact of this interplay on the
effects of introducing a conjugate vaccine in a population. This is
part of a long term collaborative research project between Wyeth,
Strathclyde University, Scottish Meningicoccus and Pneumococcus
Reference Laboratory and Health Protection Scotland to develop a
realistic population model for pneumococcal carriage and infection
incorporating genetic sequencing information.
Further Details are available at
http://www.stams.strath.ac.uk/vacancies/index.php
under Modelling genetic effects in the transmission of pneumococcal
carriage and infection.
Desirable candidate profile
Candidates should be highly motivated and have, or expect to gain, a
first or upper second class degree in statistics, mathematics, biology
or a related quantitative subject, or hold a relevant masters degree. A
completed application form (available from
http://www.strath.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/aplicate.htm) together
with a covering letter should be sent to:
Dr David Greenhalgh, Department of Statistics and Modelling Science,
Strathclyde University, 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XH.
Electronic applications may be emailed to [log in to unmask]
For an informal discussion, please contact Prof. C Robertson on +44 141
548 3215 or Dr. D Greenhalgh (+44 141 548 3653 ).
Eligibility
U.K. citizens are eligible for full funding at current research council
rates. E.U. citizens may be eligible for fees, but not maintenance.
Non-E.U. citizens are not eligible for this studentship.
Application
Applications for this studentship will be accepted from 1st April 2005
until the position is filled. The studentship is available to start at
any time after 1st October 2005 and the duration will be for 3.5 years.
Financial Support
Financial support will be provided by the standard EPSRC stipend
(£12,000 for 2005/6 with corresponding standard EPSRC increase) plus an
additional £2000 per year from the industrial partner, Wyeth Pharmaceutics.
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2. EPSRC PhD Mathematical Sciences Industrial CASE Award for 3.5 years.
Spatial modelling of multiple time series of counts.
Supervised by Dr E Mckenzie and Prof C Robertson, Statistics and
Modelling Science, Strathclyde University and Dr J Cowden, Health
Protection Scotland.
Background and Description
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) is the national surveillance centre for
infectious diseases in Scotland and collects data routinely from
laboratories. Currently data on about 1500 organisms are recorded and
each week the weekly counts of the more frequent and more
epidemiologically important organisms are scrutinised. A system which
automatically reports on exceptionally high counts has been developed.
This is based upon a regression model used to predict the observed
weekly count and then an exceedance score is calculated to determine if
an exceptionally large number of cases have been observed compared to
what was expected. An independent Poisson regression model is used
based upon data from the corresponding week, and all the data within
plus or minus 3 weeks over the last 5 years to estimate a prediction
equation which is then used to forecast the expected count for the week
under consideration.
The raw data of weekly counts come from one of the 15 health boards in
Scotland and the management of any outbreak is controlled through the
health boards. We propose to research the statistical methods required
for multiple times series of counts which are spatially linked. We
expect that neighbouring regions would have similar models we propose
investigating the cross- and auto-correlation properties of spatially
linked times series of counts with a view to developing a forecasting
model. This modelling strategy is not just restricted to disease
surveillance in Scotland. The results will be applicable in other
countries and in systems where there are sequential counts from a number
of spatially linked point sources
Further Details are available at
http://www.stams.strath.ac.uk/vacancies/index.php
under Spatial modelling of multiple series of counts.
Desirable candidate profile
Candidates should be highly motivated and have, or expect to gain, a
first or upper second class degree in statistics, mathematics or a
related quantitative subject, or hold a relevant masters degree. A
completed application form (available from
http://www.strath.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/aplicate.htm) together
with a covering letter should be sent to:
Dr David Greenhalgh, Department of Statistics and Modelling Science,
Strathclyde University, 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XH.
Electronic applications may be emailed to [log in to unmask]
For an informal discussion, please contact Prof. C Robertson on +44 141
548 3215 or Dr. E McKenzie (+44 141 548 3812).
Eligibility
U.K. citizens are eligible for full funding at current research council
rates. E.U. citizens may be eligible for fees, but not maintenance.
Non-E.U. citizens are not eligible for this studentship.
Application
Applications for this studentship will be accepted from 1st April 2005
until the position is filled. The studentship is available to start at
any time after 1st October 2005 and the duration will be for 3.5 years.
Financial Support
Financial support will be provided by the standard EPSRC stipend
(£12,000 for 2005/6 with corresponding standard EPSRC increase) plus an
additional £2000 per year from the industrial partner, Health Protection
Scotland.
--
David Greenhalgh http://www.stams.strath.ac.uk/
Statistics and Modelling Science, University of Strathclyde
Livingstone Tower, 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow, UK, G1 1XH
Tel: +44 (0)141 548 3653 Fax: +44 (0)141 552 2079
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