Epidemiology and Medical Statistics – "Determinants and trajectories of healthy ageing"
To start: 1st June 2017
Award
This PhD studentship will provide a stipend of £24,000 for three years. A contribution towards research costs, training and conference attendance will also be provided.
Project
This is a unique opportunity to join the ATHLOS project, a newly funded consortium consisting of 14 partners from 11 European countries.
There is overwhelming evidence of a rapidly increasing proportion of older people in the population in Europe and around the globe, and its enormous economic impact that will fundamentally alter health and social policy. Depending on life course exposures to health risks, lifestyle, genetic makeup, socio-economic background, and many other factors there are different ageing pathways. ATHLOS is a research and innovation action aimed at identifying the trajectories of healthy and active ageing, to prepare a healthy policy and social response to the demographic shift, and specifically to help people age in good health and promote their well-being.
As part of ATHLOS, we are currently harmonising a number of international longitudinal studies of ageing to create a combined dataset, comprising more than 341,000 subjects. During this doctorate, the student will have the opportunity to: 1- study and estimate trajectories of healthy ageing across settings; 2-identify biological, lifestyle, medical and social determinants of healthy ageing across the life span with public health policy implications.
The student will be based in the Department of Health Service and Population Research (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience – King’s College London) and will join another student who has already been working on the project.
The student will acquire cutting-edge expertise in advanced statistical methods, such as Mixed effect Models for Repeated Measures (MMRM), Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Moreover, the student will gain insight in broader epidemiological and health policy issues and be part of an exciting new programme of research.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a 2.1 or 1st class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project. Applicants should also have or hope to obtain by the starting date an MSc in Statistics, Medical Statistics/Biostatistics. An MSc in Epidemiology or Social/Health Research Methods is also acceptable, provided it included strong quantitative elements (advanced statistics), including experience of using relevant statistical software (Stata, R or SAS). Training in SEM software like Mplus will be also provided. Experience with longitudinal data analysis is highly desirable.
Award type and eligibility
Applicants should have a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project. Applicants should also have or hope to obtain a research-based MSc degree.
The selected candidate is expected to cover the course fees, but the stipend has been intentionally increased to take this into account (£24,000 per year).
How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT), Sunday 12th March 2017.
On the ‘Choosing a programme’ page, please select ‘Research degrees’ and enter the keywords Health Service and Population Research, which will take you to the following:
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (Research) / Health Services and Population Research / Health Services Research MPhil/PhD (Full-time).
*Please note that you will need to select our 1st October 2017 intake. All studentship applications will then be transfered to the 1st June 2017 intake by our Admissions Team.
In your application, you will be asked to include:
• Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
• Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
• Details of previous employment
• A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
• Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: AMP-IoPPN-H2020
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Dr Matthew Prina (supervisor) for more information regarding the project and the studentship.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Sunday 12th March 2017 (23:59 GMT)
Interviews: Week commencing 27th March 2017.
Further Information
About ATHLOS - http://athlosproject.eu/
About the IoPPN - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/about/index.aspx
Studying at the IoPPN - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/index.aspx
MSc programmes at the IoPPN - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/school/institute-of-psychiatry-psychology-and-neuroscience/programmes#graduate
Research degrees at the IoPPN - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/study/prospective-students/programmes-of-study/pgr/welcome.aspx
Global Mental Health - http://www.centreforglobalmentalhealth.org/
HSPR department - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/hspr/study/phd/index.aspx
Biostatistics department - http://www.kcl.ac.uk/ioppn/depts/biostatistics/index.aspx