Exploring predictors of healthy ageing in UK Biobank
Social Genetic and Deveopmental Psychiatry Centre 
King's College London 
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/prospective-students/programmes-of-study/pgr/fundedresearchopportunities/PhD-SGDP-CML-BBSRC-SGDP-17.aspx

To start: 1st February 2018
Award: 1 fully-funded BBSRC CASE award. 

Project
As part of a BBSRC-funded Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP) between the Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, King’s College London and Exeter University, we have a 4-year fully-funded PhD position available. The project will explore healthy aging by assessing the genetic and environmental factors in UK Biobank, a cohort of 500,000 UK residents aged 40-69.   Statistical approaches will determine pathways to healthy ageing using baseline self-report of clinical diagnosis, follow-up health questionnaires, hospital-episode statistics and causes of death. We will assess how these depend on environmental risk factors (BMI, smoking, socio-economic status), by diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, and by genetic predisposition using polygenic risk scores.
Students will develop and apply statistical methods for analysing cross-sectional and longitudinal data, including genetic data of genome-wide genotypes, and biological measures.  

Supervisors will be (1) Professor Cathryn Lewis, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology & Statistics, and (2) Dr Kerrin Small, Senior Lecturer, Department of Twin Research.
The successful student will develop skills in data analysis, statistical modelling and genetics.  An academic background in mathematics, statistics, or computer science would be an asset; students from other scientific disciplines who have a numeric aptitude and a strong interest in developing those skills will be welcome to apply.  The student will be based in the MRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London.  The supervisors’ research groups are dynamic interdisciplinary teams that explore different aspects of how individual-level genomic differences influence life and health. 
The studentship will be part of the wider GERAS Collaborative Training Partnership, a BBSRC-funded Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP) between the Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Exeter University and King’s College London. Between 2017 and 2023, the CTP will deliver 11 four-year studentships in priority areas of Bioscience for health, World class underpinning bioscience, and Exploiting new ways of working.  The research area of GERAS is focused on the biological basis of lifespan and healthy ageing, particularly ageing and the brain. The primary objective is the data-driven generation of new knowledge on the development and maintenance of health across the life course with the long-term objective of promoting health in later life. The training focus of the CTP is on the skills needed to understand complex biological systems from a data perspective, with core training in Bioinformatics, Programming and Coding, Statistics, and Data Science alongside professional skills training. The CTP will provide PhD students with a first-rate, challenging research training experience within the context of mutually beneficial research collaborations. 

Supervisors
Professor Cathryn Lewis, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology & Statistics, 
Dr Kerrin Small, Senior Lecturer, Department of Twin Research. 

Entry requirements
Applicants should have (or be expected to obtain) a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Award type and eligibility
Full studentships (UK/EU tuition fees and an enhanced stipend of £18,296 (2017/18 level) [tax-free] for 4 years for UK/EU students subject to eligibility criteria (below).  Please read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying. 
Studentship Criteria - This BBSRC award is available to UK/EU applicants, only.  EU students are only eligible for a full studentship if they have lived, worked or studied within the UK for three years prior to the funding commencing. More information can be found on the BBSRC website.   

How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight, Sunday 15th October, 2017. 
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select “Social Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time)”
 In your application, you will be asked to include:
Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
Details of previous employment
A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.

Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.

In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: CML_BBSRC_SGDP_17
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator. 
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: midnight, Sunday 15th October 2017.

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