University of Cambridge in conjunction with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
We seek to appoint talented PhD students to a new interdisciplinary research programme in population health and genomics. The programme is part of the £4m National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Unit in Donor Health and Genomics (http://donorhealth-btru.nihr.ac.uk) based at the University of Cambridge, and is supported by funds from the NIHR, the British Heart Foundation and the University of Cambridge. The lead organisations are the University of Cambridge’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care, one of Europe’s leading academic department of population health sciences, and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Europe’s leading genome campus.
The goals of this new Unit are to advance understanding of iron homeostasis and the causes and consequences of iron deficiency in frequent blood donors through powerful interdisciplinary studies that combine cutting-edge genomics tools, clinical science, and quantitative methods. A further goal is to develop and evaluate novel targeted (“personalised”) strategies to promote the health of blood donors, while maintaining the nation’s blood supply. To address these goals, students will have access to the INTERVAL trial and bioresource, a randomised trial of 50,000 blood donors who have dense genomic (SNP array, whole-exome & whole-genome sequencing) and phenotypic (full blood count, proteomics, metabolomics) data.
Candidates will work across world-leading institutes in population health sciences, applied biostatistics and genomics, and gain direct experience of NHS Blood and Transplant, an innovative high-throughput component of the National Health Service.
Beginning in April/October 2016, candidates may pursue either a 3-year PhD (subject to having an appropriate Masters degree) or a 4-year PhD, with Masters degree training in a relevant subject during the first year. Ideal candidates will have outstanding academic abilities combined with strong quantitative and communication skills in order to make the most of interdisciplinary training opportunities.
Support includes a generous tax-free annual stipend (£17,500), University fees, research expenses and some travel costs.
Applications for this scheme should include:
• A CV, including full details of all University courses taken with date, with grades if available.
• The names and contact details of three academic referees.
• A covering letter (up to 500 words) explaining why you wish to be considered for this particular studentship, what you will bring to the project and listing any relevant research experience to date.
Eligibility
The scheme is open to nationals from the UK/EU.
Applicants should have excellent grades (ideally a “first-class” undergraduate degree or distinction in a Masters degree) in a subject that relates to the approaches of the Research Unit (eg, Biostatistics, Human Genetics, Epidemiology, Functional Genetics, etc).
Further information, including details of some exemplar projects, are available at http://www.phpc.cam.ac.uk/ceu/research/phd-population-health/
Informal enquiries should be directed to Adam Butterworth at [log in to unmask]
Applications should be emailed to Sean Hickin ([log in to unmask])
All applications must be received by midnight on Monday 7th December 2015. Earlier applications are encouraged.
Shortlisted candidates can expect to be interviewed in January 2016.
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