University of Bristol,
Department of Clinical Sciences at South Bristol


PhD Studentship entitled:

'Investigation of the role of bone size relative to body size in the 
pathogenesis of fractures in childhood'

Supervisors:

Dr J H Tobias (please contact for informal enquiries),
  Rheumatology Unit,
  Dept of Clinical Sciences at South Bristol,
  University of Bristol,
  [log in to unmask]

Dr K Tilling,
  Department of Social Medicine,
  University of Bristol


Summary of Project
This studentship represents an excellent opportunity for research training 
in epidemiology and medical statistics. The studentship is based on recent 
research findings where we examined the relationship between DXA (bone 
density) measurements at age 9 and fracture risk over the following two 
years, in the ALSPAC population-based child cohort, and found that bone 
size relative to body size represents a hitherto unrecognised risk factor 
for fractures in childhood (see Clark EM, Ness AR, Bishop NR, Tobias JH 
2006; The association between bone mass and fractures in children: a 
prospective cohort study. J Bone Miner Res 21:1489-1496). The studentship 
will extend these studies in ALSPAC, by examining whether fracture 
incidence during puberty, which rises to levels seen in the elderly, 
reflects transient decreases in bone size relative to body size. This will 
be achieved by relating changes in fracture risk as the cohort progresses 
through puberty, to alterations in bone size relative to body size as 
measured by two-yearly total body DXA scans. Whether these findings reflect 
the fact that bone size relative to body size represents a measure of bone 
strength relative to strain will also be addressed, by exploring 
relationships with more precise measures of skeletal geometry provided by 
hip DXA and pQCT.

Locations
Jon Tobias, Reader in Rheumatology and Director of the ALSPAC bone group, 
is based at the Academic Rheumatology unit, Bristol Royal Infirmary, which 
provides a base for researchers investigating different rheumatological 
conditions, with a particular emphasis on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and 
rheumatoid arthritis. The unit has strong links with the Department of 
Social Medicine (epidemiological studies), and with the University of West 
of England (qualitative research). Research comprises 
clinical/translational studies based on a diverse range of cohorts 
comprising normal/patient populations, involving clinicians, statisticians, 
and allied health professionals. There are also strong links with 
laboratory researchers in other university departments. Kate Tilling, 
Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics, is based at the Department of Social 
Medicine, which is the host department of ALSPAC, and is where the 
successful applicant will largely be based.

Training
As well as training opportunities offered by the project itself, the 
Department of Social Medicine has a well-established postgraduate programme 
that provides regular appraisal, guidance and mentoring for research 
students. Their short course programme offers training in the disciplines 
of epidemiology and health services research, in medical statistics, health 
economics, qualitative research methods, questionnaire design, 
meta-analysis and study design. The department also runs weekly lecture and 
seminar programs, covering software manipulation, time management, 
presentation skills, research ethics, research exploitation and 
intellectual property rights, methodology, writing up a PhD. There is also 
a weekly seminar program which provides an opportunity to hear external 
speakers, and to gain experience in presenting results of research. In 
addition, PhD students are required to present research to internal 
assessors on an annual basis as part of a well structured appraisal system. 
There is an active research student training and support group which meets 
monthly.

Funding
This three year PhD studentship, which is tenable from 1st October 2007, is 
supported by the Arthritis Rheumatism Council, who will pay a tax-free 
stipend starting at £16,182 per year, with annual increases thereafter. 
This award will also cover tuition fees for UK graduates.  International 
students are not eligible to apply due to funding regulations.

Application
Please e-mail your CV to [log in to unmask] by 16th February 2007