Please bring the following to the attention of any students or staff who might
be interested / suitable.
The University of Birmingham
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
Research Associate / Fellow (Medical Statistics)
Brief Job Description.
The department has recently been funded by the NHS HTA methodology
programme to review the use of sub-group analysis in RCTs.
Components of this potentially important, interesting, and
challenging research include:
a) reviewing the available methods for sub-group analysis
b) developing a classification to be applied to papers reporting RCTs,
to classify their use of subgroup analysis
c) developing methods for assessing the validity of subgroup conclusions
d) classifying subgroup analyses made in a sample of RCTs
e) conducting an experiment to assess which factors seem to influence
clinicians and reviewers when drawing conclusions about subgroup
effects
f) writing peer reviewed papers and a final report
The appointee(s) will work closely with David Braunholtz (medical
statistician, grant-holder) to carry out these tasks, with the help
and advice of the research team, which has experience and expertise
in all the required areas. There are possibilities for collaboration
with a parallel HTA funded research group looking at subgroup
analyses in RCTs, using simulations, led by Dr Elise Whitley
(University of Bristol).
Appointee(s) will also be expected to contribute to the Department's
programme of teaching and research generally as appropriate.
There are considerable numbers of medical statisticians working in the
medical school, in particular in the University Clinical Trials
Unit. Occasional informal meetings and seminars are arranged. The
DPHE has fortnightly seminars from invited speakers and members of
staff presenting work in progress.
Required attributes:
High level of initiative and intellect
Interest in Bayesian, as well as Frequentist, methods
Interest in clinical trials
Desirable Attributes:
Experience in these areas
Experience of literature review
Expertise in cognitive/experimental psychology
Proven ability to draft papers/reports
Higher degree
Pay and Conditions:
May be suitable for job-share or other part-time basis. Secondment
may be another possibility.
Funding is available for 15 months in the first instance, to start as soon
as possible, but we are prepared to wait for the right candidate(s).
The DPHE is expanding, and in the past has been successful at winning
new research and other contracts and so re-employing members on fixed
term contracts.
Salary according to age, qualifications, and experience (up to point 10
currently 20867 pounds UK, subject to pay award).
Appointee(s) will be sharing an office with 3 or 4 others. A new PC will
be provided, with access to the Internet, and extensive electronic
journal and bibliographic databases. Some funds are available for
attending seminars and conferences. If appropriate, the appointee(s)
will be encouraged to register for a higher degree.
Informal enquiries to David Braunholtz (see below).
Application forms and further particulars are available from
Director of Staffing Services, The University of Birmingham,
Edgbaston, B15 2TT
Tel: (0121) 414 6486 e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: http//www.bham.ac.uk/staffing/
Please quote reference M18159/99
Closing date for receipt of applications 8/6/1999
David Braunholtz
Department of Public Health & Epidemiology
Public Health Building
University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 0121-414-7495
FAX: 0121-414-7878
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