Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Statistical Genetics
Genetic Epidemiology group, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester.
Available from 1st October 2007 for 3 years (Ref: R3329)
Closing Date: 3 Aug 2007
A Research Associate position is available to work on a Medical Research Council funded project on "Inferring Epidemiological Causality using Mendelian Randomisation" which is a collaborative project between the Universities of Leicester and Bristol and is a topic that is currently very much at the forefront of biomedical and statistical research. The focus of the project is on developing methodology for inferring causes (e.g. effect of alcohol) for common diseases of public health interest (e.g. cardiovascular disease) from observational studies when there are many confounding factors (e.g. lifestyle) by exploiting a known genetic predisposition for the hypothesised cause (e.g. ALDH2, the gene that regulates alcohol metabolism). Such methods are called instrumental variable methods. The research at Leicester will focus on the theoretical aspects of these methods in epidemiological and econometric applications, in particular with regard to making formal causal inference in a non-randomised situation and dealing with binary disease outcomes.
The post will be based in Leicester but jointly supervised by Nuala Sheehan (Reader in Statistical Genetics, Leicester) and Vanessa Didelez (Lecturer in Statistics, Bristol). The research will be motivated by real problems and will involve working closely with other project investigators in the Economics and Social Medicine departments at Bristol and the Genetic Epidemiology group in Leicester. There will be another Research Associate funded by the grant to work on the practical implications of these methods in Bristol and it is envisaged that the theoretical and applied strands of the project will develop in parallel. Frequent exchange visits between the two groups are essential to this collaboration and have been built into the grant application.
The successful candidate must have a PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Statistical Genetics or a related discipline. Good analytical and computing skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and evidence of research productivity (e.g. publications, presentations etc.) are required. Due to the collaborative nature of the project, effective interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member, as well as independently, are essential. This post may appeal to a mathematician who is interested in developing theory for biological and medical applications. Knowledge of biology or experience in the research field are not essential as long as there is a strong interest in learning what is necessary to communicate with the applied partners.
Application
This promises to be an exciting and outstanding interdisciplinary research environment that will strongly support the research career of the post-holder. Informal enquiries can be made to Nuala Sheehan (Principal Investigator) at nas11@le.ac.uk (tel: 0116 2297271) or to Vanessa Didelez at vanessa@stats.ucl.ac.uk.
We hope to appoint in the Salary Grade 7 scale (GBP 28,289 to GBP 32,796 per annum) with starting salary depending on qualifications and experience. Downloadable application forms and further particulars are available from www.le.ac.uk/personnel/jobs. If you require a hard copy, please contact Leicester Personnel Services - tel: 0116 252 5114, fax: 0116 252 5140, email: recruitment2@le.ac.uk. Please note that CVs will only be accepted in support of a fully completed application form.
Genetic Epidemiology group, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester.
Available from 1st October 2007 for 3 years (Ref: R3329)
Closing Date: 3 Aug 2007
A Research Associate position is available to work on a Medical Research Council funded project on "Inferring Epidemiological Causality using Mendelian Randomisation" which is a collaborative project between the Universities of Leicester and Bristol and is a topic that is currently very much at the forefront of biomedical and statistical research. The focus of the project is on developing methodology for inferring causes (e.g. effect of alcohol) for common diseases of public health interest (e.g. cardiovascular disease) from observational studies when there are many confounding factors (e.g. lifestyle) by exploiting a known genetic predisposition for the hypothesised cause (e.g. ALDH2, the gene that regulates alcohol metabolism). Such methods are called instrumental variable methods. The research at Leicester will focus on the theoretical aspects of these methods in epidemiological and econometric applications, in particular with regard to making formal causal inference in a non-randomised situation and dealing with binary disease outcomes.
The post will be based in Leicester but jointly supervised by Nuala Sheehan (Reader in Statistical Genetics, Leicester) and Vanessa Didelez (Lecturer in Statistics, Bristol). The research will be motivated by real problems and will involve working closely with other project investigators in the Economics and Social Medicine departments at Bristol and the Genetic Epidemiology group in Leicester. There will be another Research Associate funded by the grant to work on the practical implications of these methods in Bristol and it is envisaged that the theoretical and applied strands of the project will develop in parallel. Frequent exchange visits between the two groups are essential to this collaboration and have been built into the grant application.
The successful candidate must have a PhD in Mathematics, Statistics, Statistical Genetics or a related discipline. Good analytical and computing skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills and evidence of research productivity (e.g. publications, presentations etc.) are required. Due to the collaborative nature of the project, effective interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team member, as well as independently, are essential. This post may appeal to a mathematician who is interested in developing theory for biological and medical applications. Knowledge of biology or experience in the research field are not essential as long as there is a strong interest in learning what is necessary to communicate with the applied partners.
Application
This promises to be an exciting and outstanding interdisciplinary research environment that will strongly support the research career of the post-holder. Informal enquiries can be made to Nuala Sheehan (Principal Investigator) at nas11@le.ac.uk (tel: 0116 2297271) or to Vanessa Didelez at vanessa@stats.ucl.ac.uk.
We hope to appoint in the Salary Grade 7 scale (GBP 28,289 to GBP 32,796 per annum) with starting salary depending on qualifications and experience. Downloadable application forms and further particulars are available from www.le.ac.uk/personnel/jobs. If you require a hard copy, please contact Leicester Personnel Services - tel: 0116 252 5114, fax: 0116 252 5140, email: recruitment2@le.ac.uk. Please note that CVs will only be accepted in support of a fully completed application form.
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