A reminder that the closing date for applications for this 4-year PhD opportunity at the University of Manchester is Wednesday 26 November 2014.

This project represents an excellent opportunity for a candidate with a strong quantitative background to develop skills in epidemiology, genetics, statistics and bioinformatics, and to work with both the large UK Biobank data resource and the "big data" of routinely collected primary and secondary healthcare records.

Further details, including how to apply, are listed below and on http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=57740&LID=2473.

Jamie.

Dr Jamie Sergeant
Lecturer in Medical Statistics
NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit

Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology
University of Manchester
Room 2.705 Stopford Building
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PT

Tel: +44 (0)161 275 5639
Email: [log in to unmask]

________________________________________
From: Jamie Sergeant
Sent: 05 November 2014 14:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PhD studentship: University of Manchester

* Closing date: Wednesday 26 November 2014 *

A 4-year competition funded PhD studentship in medical prediction models is being offered at the University of Manchester.  For more details please see http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=57740&LID=2473.

Title: Predicting individual risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis using UK Biobank data

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic auto-immune diseases affecting 0.5-1% of the adult population. The causes and underlying mechanisms for developing both diseases are not yet known. Although several factors have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of RA or PsA (e.g. smoking, hormonal exposure, alcohol intake, shared epitope), it is seldom possible to study both environmental and genetic risk factors in the same large population.

Aim: This strategic studentship will use UK Biobank data to develop predictive models to identify individuals in the general population at high risk of developing RA, and psoriasis patients at high risk of developing PsA.

This project offers a substantial opportunity for the development of cross-cutting skills in epidemiology, genetics, statistics and bioinformatics in the analysis of the large and complex UK Biobank dataset and its linkage with routinely collected primary and secondary care records. A particular challenge is identifying cases with RA or PsA using various national databases in which data on diseases and medication are recorded differently. Additional techniques of handling missing data, developing prediction models, and assessing model performance will also be utilised. The University of Manchester's Centre for Musculoskeletal Research has a well-established and successful programme of methodological training, including epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, biostatistics and statistical modelling in STATA.

This 4-year full-time studentship forms one of our PhD opportunities within the MRC Doctoral Training Partnership (MRC DTP) scheme. Funding provides full support for tuition fees, annual tax-free stipend at Research Council UK rates (currently £13, 863) and conference/travel allowance. The project is due to commence October 2015 and is open to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Statistics, Genetics or Bioinformatics, or one of the medical/health sciences with a strong quantitative component. A Masters qualification in a similar area would be an advantage.

Please direct applications in the following format to Prof Jane Worthington ([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 Prof Worthington. Applications are invited up to and including 26 November 2014.

Further details on the MRC DTP scheme, shortlisting/interview process and additional PhD project opportunities can be found on our website: www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/mrcdtp

http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/Jane.worthington/

www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/mrcdtp

http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/mhs-graduate-school/



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