The Centre for Biostatistics at The University of Manchester has a fully funded PhD studentship available, to start in September 2013.  The deadline for applications is 18th February 2013. 

Project title:
Causal modelling in stratified and personalised health: developing methodology for analysis of primary and secondary care databases in stratified medicine

Project details:
The underlying idea of personalised or stratified medicine is that treatments have more benefit for some patients than for others. If we can identify before any treatment decision whether a patient will have a better outcome or less adverse events, it could prevent patients being exposed to unnecessary treatment. We can target the right treatments to the right patients at the right time. 

This PhD project focuses on developing and implementing new methodology for stratified medicine in register-based cohort studies. It will focus on analysis of two linked complex datasets, one from general practice and one containing patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) managed in secondary care. Once linked, the augmented dataset will be used to answer substantive clinical questions relating to the use of biologic therapy in RA patients. For example, does biologic therapy lead to more non-serious adverse events such as headaches? Can we identify which patients should receive specific biologic therapies to reduce the likelihood of serious or non-serious adverse events? 

The PhD will involve developing and applying statistical methods, in particular approaches for linking complex datasets, longitudinal data analysis and causal inference in stratified medicine. Existing methods will be applied to answer these and other substantive questions, and opportunities for further methodological development will be pursued in order to develop new models for future analysis. 

Supervisors:
Professor Graham Dunn (Centre for Biostatistics), Dr Richard Emsley (Centre for Biostatistics), Dr Will Dixon (Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit).

Training:
Extensive training will be provided in statistics, biomedical informatics, ehealth, econometrics, data linkage and management of complex data sets. The study will be conducted within the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, an internationally recognised hub of musculoskeletal expertise, comprising over twenty existing PhD researchers. Upon completion, the PhD would provide an excellent grounding for progression into a postdoctoral role within biostatistics and/or epidemiology. 

Applications:
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in mathematics, statistics, economics or related area. A Masters degree in biostatistics, epidemiology or health economics would be an advantage. 

This 3-year full-time studentship will provide full support for tuition fees, an annual tax-free stipend of £13, 590 and cover all research expenses.  The project is available to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding and is due to start September 2013. 

Please direct applications in the following format to Professor Graham Dunn ([log in to unmask]) or Dr Richard Emsley ([log in to unmask]) 

. Academic CV 
. Official academic transcripts 
. Contact details for two suitable referees 
. A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date. 

Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Professor Dunn at the address above. 

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