PhD studentship - Strategies for the analysis of pragmatic randomized
controlled trials. Available from October 2008

The Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, at Keele
University, has a large and dynamic research programme in pain and
osteoarthritis, underpinned by a wealth of cohort and trial data-sets,
with linkage to medical records. The Centre includes a multidisciplinary
grouping of clinicians working alongside epidemiologists, statisticians
and social scientists, and our funding framework gives us a strong remit
to increase research capacity by providing training opportunities and
career support for early-experience researchers.  The successful candidate
would join a diverse and enthusiastic group of postgraduate research
students.  The Centre runs a programme of both internal and external
seminars, as well as journal clubs and in-house training.  In addition to
the University-wide research training programme, training will be provided
in relevant techniques as required.

A three-year PhD studentship is available to pursue research in the above
topic based in the Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care
Centre, at Keele University.   The successful candidate would join a
diverse and enthusiastic group of postgraduate research students. 
Supervision for the PhD would be provided by Dr Martyn Lewis and Professor
Julius Sim.

The project will examine, through sensitivity analyses on both simulated
and real data, different methods of analysing pragmatic randomised
controlled trials in which there is covariate imbalance.  The focus of the
study will be on the effects of an adjusted analysis on important aspects
of a statistical hypothesis: power, actual versus nominal Type 1 error
rate, and bias.  The outcomes of this programme of work are intended to
include: a literature review; papers reporting the substantive findings of
the study; one or more papers on statistical aspects of the analyses
performed; recommendations for appropriate analysis of RCTs in primary
care.

Funding is available for three years to cover fees for PhD registration
(2008/09 rates - home/EU rates: £3,350) and a research studentship stipend
of currently £12,900 per annum for 2008.  Non-EU students would be
required to pay the balance (currently approximately £8,550 per annum) of
the overseas fees themselves.

Applicants should have a good (2:1 or above) first degree with experience
of quantitative research methods (e.g. statistics, epidemiology,
mathematics, psychology) and experience of health care research. A Masters
degree in a relevant discipline is highly desirable.

Further Information
Interested candidates are invited to discuss the project and/or pay an
informal visit to the Centre. Please contact either Dr Lewis on 01782
583924 or [log in to unmask] or Professor Sim on 01782 584253 or
[log in to unmask] See also:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/fundingkeele.htm

Application Process
In order to be considered for a studentship, an application form for PhD
study must be completed (“Application Form Postgraduate Research
Degrees”) plus an additional “Application form for a
studentship or bursary” indicating that you wish to apply for this
studentship and detailing your suitability for the award -
http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/prospectus/

CLOSING DATE -  Wednesday 11 June 2008