FOUR-YEAR PhD STUDENTSHIP IN STATISTICS- START October 2006
Funding is for four years (open to EU citizens) and offers excellent
opportunities for integrated training and personal development. Two
possible projects are available.
Essential: A good first degree or Masters in a maths or statistics subject.
Desirable: Knowledge of Bayesian theory and methods; Good programming
skills; Experience with WinBUGS and S-Plus/R; Experience in medical,
psychological or biological applications.
1. Multiple Outcome Evidence Synthesis for Decision Making
The focus of this PhD will be to explore different approaches to modelling
multiple outcome data, with an emphasis on outcomes that are continuous
rather than event based. Included among the evidence structures to be
examined will be: structures with multiple continuous outcomes, with
different outcomes or combinations of outcomes reported in different
trials; multiple outcomes reported at different time points; discretised
continuous outcomes (i.e. percent of patients with test result greater than
some cut-off); combinations of continuous and discretised reporting.
2. Expected Value of Information and Research Prioritisation Based On
Evidence Synthesis Models
Methods for combining evidence from different studies, where the studies
have observed different functions of the underlying parameters of interest
are being increasingly applied in medical decision making. The focus of
this PhD is to develop Expected Value of Partial Perfect Information
(EVPPI) and Expected Value of Sample Information (EVSI) calculation methods
that can take posteriors from such models as priors for prioritisation and
design of future studies. Included among the evidence structures to be
examined will be: mixed treatment comparisons, and surrogate outcomes,
which are typical of the type of analyses faced by NICE, and tree structure
models used in epidemiology and screening decisions.
Supervisors: Dr. Nicky Welton, Prof. A.E. Ades
Further project details: www.hsrc.ac.uk
For an informal discussion: [log in to unmask]
Application: Send CV, covering letter (stating clearly which project you
are applying for), and details of 2 referees to: Sarah Garbutt, Training
Administrator, MRC HSRC, Dept. Social Medicine, University of Bristol,
Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol. BS8 2PR
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Dr. Nicky Welton
MRC Health Services Research Collaboration
Department of Social Medicine
University of Bristol
Canynge Hall
Whiteladies Road
Bristol BS8 2PR
Tel: +44 (0)117-331-3902
Fax: +44 (0)117-928-7236
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