The following studentship is available - the closing date is quite close unfortunately (26 May). Further details of the project from myself or Helen Dolk ([log in to unmask]), details on administrative issues from Hazel Campbell (contact details below)

Ian Bradbury
Department of Biomedical Sciences
University of Ulster

UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP
Four Year Programme: Masters + PhD

Applications are invited for a 4 year postgraduate award in Health Services Research funded by the Northern Ireland Research and Development office. The successful candidate will initially seek to gain a place and enrol , as of October 2005, on a full-time one year Masters in Public Health (Health Services Research) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (www. lshtm.ac.uk), followed , on successful completion, by a 3 year full-time programme of research study on the topic “Risk of congenital anomaly among multiple births in Europe”  for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Ulster (www.ulster.ac.uk).  This 3 year postgraduate studentship will be tenable in the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, University of Ulster, and be based on the Jordanstown campus.  
The award will comprise fees (at the Home rate only) and an annual stipend of £12,000 plus research and training expenses of £5,000 per annum . The award will be for a period of up to four years subject to satisfactory progress. 
Candidates should have UK residence and hold, or expect to obtain by August 15 2005, a first or upper second class honours degree in biomedical sciences, psychology, or an area related to health or health services, or in mathematics/statistics. Candidates should be able to demonstrate interest and aptitude for training in quantitative analysis of health data. Applicants should initially complete an application form for admission to research studies at the University of Ulster available at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/rps/prospects/index.phtml  and return it to :

Hazel Campbell,
 Research Office,
 University of Ulster,
 Cromore Road,
 Coleraine,
 County Londonderry,
 BT52 1SA.

Enquiries: Tel Hazel on 02870 324729 or e-mail [log in to unmask] 

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is May 26, 2005
Interviews will be held on 3 June 2005.

Following interview the selected applicant will be notified and required to submit an application to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine for a place on the full-time Masters in Public Health(Health Services Research). Confirmation of a place on this course and of acceptance for Postgraduate Research study at the University of Ulster, will be required before the award of funding is made.
PhD project outline
 “Risk of congenital anomaly among multiple births in Europe”
In Northern Ireland and Europe, the rate of multiple births has been increasing steeply due to the combined effect of a rise in maternal age and increased use of assisted reproductive technology. Multiple births are well known to carry a higher risk of perinatal mortality, preterm birth and cerebral palsy. Risk of congenital anomaly is less well documented. This project will assess the risk of congenital anomaly among multiple births using the database of EUROCAT (European Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies www.eurocat.ulster.ac.uk) at the University of Ulster, a unique database derived from 39 population-based registers of congenital anomaly in Europe now covering one quarter of the European birth population, and more than 6 million births since 1980. Specifically, the project will a) determine the excess risk of all and selected congenital anomalies in multiple births compared to singleton births in Europe b) describe the excess perinatal mortality due to congenital anomalies among multiple births in Europe and explore possible interpretations and c) determine levels of concordance in twins. The research will provide an opportunity to work with public health professionals, academics and clinicians across Europe. The four year programme will introduce the student to a range of health services research techniques, but in particular will provide epidemiological training.

Supervisors:  Professor Helen Dolk ([log in to unmask], Tel 028 90368540) and Dr Ian Bradbury ([log in to unmask], Tel 028 90 70323254) of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences. Candidates are invited to make informal inquiries or requests for further information about the project.