UCL SCHOOL OF LIFE AND MEDICAL SCIENCES

institute of epidemiology and health care

MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL

MRC PHD STUDENTSHIP IN

Life course epidemiology of physical, cognitive,cardiovascular or brain ageing

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JOB DESCRIPTION

1.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

An enthusiastic doctoral fellow is sought to undertake original research using a life course approach to understand health and ageing based in the MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL (MRC LHA).MRC LHA is an international centre for life course epidemiology and statistical methods, investigating biological, psychological and social factors across life that affect ageing outcomes, in order to inform policy and improve human health in later life. Our research is based on the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD), the world’s longest running birth cohort study. We also undertake international comparative and collaborative work through networks including CLOSER (),UCLEB () and IALSA ().

The NSHD is unique in having data from birth onwards on the health and social circumstances of a representative sample of men and women born in March 1946,with biological samples collected at several time points in adult life. A number of blood-based biomarkers related to health and disease have been measured and genetic and epigenetic data have been derived using a number of platforms such as the Illumina Cardio-Metabochip and the HM-450 beadchip.Cardiovascular, body composition and brain imaging have also been undertaken.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates with a First Class or Upper Second Class BSc in a biomedical discipline. The studentship is available as either +3 or 1+3 and entry requirements vary correspondingly. The +3 studentship covers a three-year period of PhD study for applicants who already hold an MSc in epidemiology or a related discipline. The 1+3 studentship covers a four-year period, which includes one year of study on the MSc in Health & Society() or the MSc in Population Health ()followed by three years of PhD study.

Research projects include life course approaches tocardiovascular, cognitive, musculoskeletal and reproductive ageing and the ageing brain;disability and care; epigenetics of ageing; and inflammatory and neuroendocrine pathways to ageing. See for further information for prospective PhD students and suggested topics.

MRC LHA is a research department within the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care at UCL. Further information on the MRC LHA can be found at and information on the UCL Graduate training programme can be found at .You will gain skills in life course epidemiology, birth cohort studies, and statistical methods for longitudinal data and willbe enrolled on a PhD programme which includes:

  • taught methods and statistics courses
  • weekly student run seminar series
  • annual residential away weekend and workshop
  • annual student poster competition
  • student run journal club
  • customised panels of 2-4 supervisors to provide multi-disciplinary expertise

Main duties / key responsibilities:

To develop and carry out a doctoral project on an aspect of physical, cognitive, cardiovascularor brain ageing using NSHD data. This involves:

  • undertaking literature searches and keeping up-to-date with the relevant scientific literature;
  • collaboration with the study team and external specialists;
  • the development of testable life course hypotheses using NSHD data, and other data where appropriate;
  • drawing up analysis plans and creating data files including existing and newly derived variables;
  • conducting longitudinal analyses, and interpreting results;
  • drafting and revising original articles for publication in high quality journals;
  • disseminating findings at conferences, workshops, in high quality journals and through the study website.

The main responsibility is to develop, undertake and submit the thesis within the three-year period. You will be expected to disseminate the results widely. You may have some additional responsibility for an aspect of the data collection or the data archive.

Working relationships:

Depending on the project, the post holder reports directly to a panel of Unit scientists:

Professor Diana Kuh (Head of Department), Dr. Rebecca Bendayan, , Dr. Theodore Cosco, Dr. Rachel Cooper, Dr. Phil Curran, Dr. Daniel Davis, Professor Rebecca Hardy, Dr. Stella Muthuri, Professor Marcus Richards, Dr. Nikhil Sharma, Dr. Mai Stafford, Dr. Andrew Wong. Where relevant, LHA specialist collaborators will provide additional supervision. You will work collaboratively with staff at the Unit or other establishments as the research requires.

2.PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED

CRITERIA
E: essential
D: desirable / ASSESSED BY:
Application – A
Interview – I
Education/Qualifications
  • First or upper second class honours degree in a biomedical subject
  • MSc in epidemiology or related subject or relevant research experience (for +3 applicants)
/ E
E / A
A
Skills/Ability
  • Keen interest in life course approach to health and ageing
  • Motivated researcher capable of setting priorities, meeting deadlines and delivering research outputs to the required standard
  • Familiar with statistical analysis packages, e.g. Stata, SAS, R, SPSS
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Independent worker and effective collaborator
  • Some experience of longitudinal data analysis
  • Familiarity with an area of physical, cognitive or cardiovascular health and ageing
/ E
E
E
E
E
D
D / A / I
I
A / I
A / I
I
A/ I
A/I
Experience of
  • Evidence of original independent thinking to develop and address research questions
  • Some experience of managing and analysing survey data
/ E
D / I
A / I
  • Experience of literature searches
  • Evidence of completed projects
/ D
D / A
A / I

3.ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION

Please note the eligibility residence criteria that must be met at:

We are a broad multidisciplinary unit and are open to candidates with diverse academic backgrounds.

To apply, please include a CV, a separate statement of research experience and interests, an indication of the topic for which you are applying, and the names and contact details of two academic referees.Electronic submissions are preferred. Please send them to Jane Johnson Please include a contact number and an email address. Applicants who would like to receive this advert in an alternative format (e.g. large print, Braille, audio or hard copy), or who are unable to apply online should contact us by telephone on 020 7670 5700.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to present their topic of interest and how data from the MRC NSHD will contribute. Candidates are strongly encouragedto discuss the topic with a potential supervisor, contacting Dr. Stephanie Pilling () or 020 7670 5715 in the first instance. If you wish to know about the research environment or have general questions on studying within the Research Department of Epidemiology and Public Health please contact the Graduate Tutors, Dr. Anne McMunn () or Dr. Annie Britton ().

Academic references will be taken up for all short-listed candidates and travel costs will be reimbursed up to the equivalent of the most economical train/air fare available within the UK.

Closing date: 19th June 2016

Applications received after this time will not be considered.

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