MRC PhD Studentship (University of Cambridge)
Application of Bayesian Statistics to Physiological Modelling
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship, funded by the MRC, to
commence in October 2007.
MRC Human Nutrition Research has one of the largest collections of
glucose metabolism data derived from experiments with human subjects
using stable isotope methodologies. Conventional models of glucose
metabolism include terms describing net insulin-independent and
insulin-assisted processes; however isotope data considerable
enriches the scope of the model since it allows both glucose disposal
and endogenous glucose production to be explicitly defined in its
structure. These data are traditionally analysed using the minimal
model that describes glucose uptake in terms of two key parameters,
one for insulin-independent disposal (glucose effectiveness), and one
for insulin-assisted glucose metabolism (insulin sensitivity). The
project will use Bayesian methods to estimate the key parameters,
incorporate the hierarchical features of the data, use expert priors,
handle missing data, combine data over multiple studies and use
decision theory to identify optimal sampling times.
Students will be registered with the University of Cambridge and
should have, or expect to obtain, a first or upper second class
honours degree in a mathematical discipline containing a significant
amount of statistics. The studentships are available to UK residents
and EU nationals who have been resident in the UK for at least the
previous three years. Further information about residence eligibility
criteria can be found on the MRC website at
<http://www.mrc.ac.uk/>www.mrc.ac.uk.
Further information about the project and research at MRC Human
Nutrition Research can be obtained from the website
(www.mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk). Informal enquiries are welcomed to Dr Adrian
Mander ([log in to unmask]).
Applicants should provide a full CV and covering letter explaining
their interest in the studentship and also detailing two academic
referees. Please email to
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask] or post to
Postgraduate Administration, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie
Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, CB1 9NL.
Closing date: 16th February 2007
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