Peninsula Medical School
(full time, three years)
Reference: PPHI009
A major methodological challenge arises in the separation of age, period, and cohort effects in epidemiological studies due to the so-called identification problem. The problem is an important one because disentangling these effects is crucial to predicting future trends in health and disease. Improving our capacity to anticipate changes in disease incidence and prevalence will enable more effective targeting of preventive measures, better provision of appropriate interventions, and improved forecasting of future healthcare needs.
As part of our new developments and our commitment to research excellence, applications are invited from suitably qualified graduates, 2:1 or above, for a full-time PhD studentship. The stipend will be £12,600. Tuition fees will be paid at the home rate. Candidates from countries outside the European Union will be liable for the difference between ‘home student fees’ and ‘international student fees’.
Recent research has led to substantial contributions to the methodology for estimating age-period-cohort models from aggregate population data. This PhD project will involve the development and application of age-period-cohort models using individual-level data from a number of large repeated cross-sectional surveys to identify trends in health within the UK and overseas.
Depending on the strengths and interests of the student the approach taken may focus on either the statistical or the epidemiological and public health aspects of the project.
The project will be supervised by Dr Iain Lang and Professor David Melzer (Epidemiology & Public Health Group, Peninsula Medical School) and Dr William Henley (School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Plymouth).
Preferred start date is 1 of October 2008. The studentship will be based in Exeter. The studentship comes with a stipend of £12,600 per year plus home fees.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Iain Lang, by email iain.lang@pms.ac.uk or telephone number 01392 406749.
For more information about the work of the group see: http://www.pms.ac.uk/pms/research/epidem.php
For an application pack, please contact:
Peninsula Postgraduate Health Institute
John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Plymouth PL6 8BU
Telephone 01752 437300 or email researchdegrees@pphi.ac.uk
Closing date for applications: Tuesday 6 May 2008
