NIHR RESEARCH METHODS TRAINING FELLOWSHIP (3 years)
Clinical osteoarthritis and joint pain in older people: optimal 
management in primary care

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CAMPAIGN NATIONAL PRIMARY CARE CENTRE, KEELE UNIVERSITY,

The Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, at Keele 
has a large and dynamic research programme in Pain and Osteoarthritis. A 
new NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research undertaken by the Centre 
aims to develop and evaluate models of care that improve early 
identification of patients who are at risk of disease progression and 
increase access to effective primary care management of OA.

The Centre has successfully secured a 3-year NIHR Research Methods 
Training Fellowship attached to this research programme. The successful 
candidate will undertake a 3-year, structured training programme in 
research methods and gain research experience in a high-quality 
environment. The programme of work will include:
· registering to undertake an MSc in Medical Statistics at The 
University of Leicester (September 2009 – August 2010)
· completing a Masters dissertation in an area linked to the Centre’s OA 
Programme
· completing a period of research training, gaining relevant work 
experience whilst being based at Centre at Keele
· developing a PhD proposal, and submitting this as a personal applicant 
for an NIHR Doctoral Training Fellowship
· supervising a 3-month NIHR Research Methods Internship

Following completion of the Masters component of the programme, the 
successful candidate will join established research project teams at 
Keele and gain experience and expertise in modelling longitudinal 
observational data, and in the design and planning of randomised 
controlled trials. Basic interpretation of clinical and self-report data 
will be covered in appropriate and sufficient detail to introduce a 
non-clinical statistical Masters student to writing and reflecting on 
health data.

Applicants should have a good (2:1 or above) first degree in a subject 
that contains substantial Mathematics/Statistics content. The Fellowship 
will attract a 3-year salaried position (University Grade 6: £24,152) 
and funding to cover fees for the Masters registration (2009/10 rates - 
home/EU rates: £3,850). Non-EU students would be required to pay the 
additional overseas fees themselves (approximately £5600 per annum).

For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit to the Centre, please 
contact Dr Elaine Thomas on 01782 54851, or email: 
[log in to unmask] or Prof Danielle van der Windt on 01782 734830 
or email: [log in to unmask]

If you are interested in this Training Fellowship please lodge your 
request for the full job pack by contacting Sue Weir, Administrator, 
Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, on 01782 
733922 or email [log in to unmask]

CLOSING DATE – 3 weeks following advert placement on Keele website (May 
2009)

-- 
Dr Kelvin Jordan
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Reader in Biostatistics
Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre
Primary Care Sciences
Keele University
Keele
Staffs ST5 5BG
UK
Tel: (+44) 1782-733924
Fax: (+44) 1782-733911
email: [log in to unmask]
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