MATCH - Multidisciplinary Assessment of Medical Technology

EPSRC Grand Challenge - Tissue Engineering 

Advertisement for 2 PhD Studentships

We are looking for two enthusiastic post-graduate students to develop a programme of work relating to the above projects funded by the EPSRC. The successful candidates will join a small team under the direction of Professor Richard Lilford, a grant-holder under both projects. 

Background
The MATCH collaboration involves 5 UK universities - Birmingham, Brunel, KCL, Nottingham and Ulster - and a number of industrial partners in a project that seeks to assist in the process whereby new medical devices are brought to the marketplace. The EPSRC Tissue Engineering project is concerned with the development of state-of-the-art techniques for generating composite human tissue outside the body for subsequent use to regenerate damaged organs. This multidisciplinary project involves universities, hospitals and industry within the UK. The department in Birmingham also has links to an EU funded project pursuing similar aims at an international level.

The parts of these projects based in Birmingham are concerned with mathematical models for arriving at health-economic assessments of the means whereby medical devices in general, and tissue-engineered products in particular, are brought to market in an increasingly sophisticated purchasing environment. The overall aim is to ensure that the products are developed in such a way as to meet real human needs in a cost-effective way.

Subject Area
Both students will be engaged in the construction of health-economic models, and particularly in the developing area of value of information (VOI) analysis. The idea for Bayesian VOI analysis dates back to the fifties. It works by placing a value on the decisions that might be changed by the outcome of a scientific investigation. In health research it is increasingly being applied as a means of placing a value on a proposed study, often a clinical trial. It can assist in deciding whether a proposed trial represents value for money compared to other ways of spending healthcare resources. It is also relevant to development strategies at the level of an individual commercial enterprise, especially in an environment in which decisions about public reimbursement for particular therapeutic interventions are taken with explicit reference to health-economic norms. 

The successful candidates will work with Alan Girling ([log in to unmask] ) and Richard Lilford ([log in to unmask] ) on the development of mathematical models, with special reference as follows:

Post 1
To develop methods for VOI studies of investigations into the performance of diagnostic tests. The project will build on ongoing work in the group around two topics: an approach to statistical power calculations for studies of multiple diagnostic markers; and, an existing model, constructed under the MATCH umbrella, for the economic analysis of a screening model where the cut-off point for the diagnostic test is to be determined. The aim is to construct VOI analyses for studies of different types of diagnostic test, using exemplars selected after discussion with MATCH partners.

Post 2
The project will focus on the development of Health Economic models to contribute to commercial decision-making processes as early as possible in the life cycle of a new device. At this stage, information about costs and effectiveness may be available only in a very rudimentary form. Where hard information is lacking, a Bayesian approach will be taken since it provides a natural support for decision making in the face of uncertainty. In addition to a health economic model, a VOI analysis can help to inform a decision about whether to conduct further investigations around the viability of a new device. The overall aim here is to provide an economic valuation (also including a commercial perspective) for a device under development. Exemplars will be drawn especially from within the field of tissue engineering.

Person Specification
	*  At least a 2:1 degree, in a numerate discipline.
	*	Mathematical/Statistical skills highly desirable, and essential for post 1.
	*	Knowledge of Health Economic models an advantage
	*	Willingness to work as part of a team in a supportive research environment

Funding
A stipend in the range £14,000 - £18,000 per annum will be paid, plus home/EU fees. Funding is available for 3 years.


Closing Date
Expressions of interest (including a CV) to Alan Girling or Richard Lilford by 11th July. 

Professor Richard Lilford
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
Division of Primary Care, Occupational and Public Health
Public Health Building
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston 
Birmingham 
B15 2TT 
Tel: 0121 414 2226
Fax: 012 1414 2752






Alan J. Girling
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
The University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT

Tel: +44 (0)121 4147495