MRC Capacity Building PhD Studentships UK 2008

Department of Epidemiology & Population Health

MRC Capacity Building PhD Studentships

MRC Capacity Building Studentships

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, one of the largest post-graduate medical schools in Europe, is pleased to invite applications for two Medical Research Council-funded PhD studentships in epidemiology/statistics. The studentships will run for three years from October 2008 and will provide fees plus a stipend, subject to eligibility requirements.

Research in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health focuses on issues of major public health and social importance. The Department is multi-disciplinary and encompasses epidemiologists, medical statisticians, medical demographers, nutritionists, social scientists and public health practitioners.

Project Outlines

Project one: Modelling the relationship between homocysteine and cardiovascular disease.

Supervisors: John Whittaker and Liam Smeeth

This will be a mix of statistical modelling and epidemiological work, with the balance of the two determined by the student’s interests and abilities.
Project two: Quantitative methods for the assessment of systematic error in observational studies: improving causal research.

Supervisors: Simon Cousens and Bianca DeStavola

There are many sources of uncertainty other than sampling variation which intrude on our efforts to estimate causal effects from observational studies. This project will examine some of the approaches that have been proposed to address this and develop practical guidelines on methods which provide robust outputs while being transparent and accessible to a wide range of practitioners.

Eligibility

For project one applicants must hold, or expect to obtain, a 1st or 2.1 university degree in a quantitative subject (mathematics and/or statistics), and preferably a relevant MSc, or have a combination of relevant qualifications and experience which demonstrates equivalent ability and attainment.For project two applicants must hold a 1st or 2.1 university degree and an MSc in statistics, epidemiology or other relevant subject, or have a combination of relevant qualifications and experience which demonstrates equivalent ability and attainment.
The full MRC award is only available to UK residents; other EU nationals may receive tuition fees but not a stipend. Please check the eligibility requirements at: www.mrc.ac.uk

Funding

The studentships will run for 3 years from October 2008 and will provide full payment of tuition fees and a stipend of £16,709 in the first year (a similar stipend is offered for subsequent years), subject to eligibility requirements. To check your eligibility, please visit the MRC website (follow the link for the current Postgraduate Studentships Handbook for students at HEIs/Universities).

How to Apply

The lead institution for this studentship project is the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, therefore applications should please be sent to the LSHTM directly.

Applications must be in writing and must clearly state which studentship you are applying for. Applications should consist of:

Research Application Form (112K PDF)
Research Applicant Reference Form (106K PDF)
Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (168K PDF)
a full, original, transcript of the applicant’s academic record
two-page CV, including names of two academic referees
a covering letter stating why you wish to do a PhD in this research area at the School
your current postal, e-mail address and telephone number

Please send applications to:

Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7299 4646, fax: +44 (0)20 7323 0638 or e-mail: registry@lshtm.ac.uk