LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
DEPARTMENT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY
Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group
Research Fellow in Epidemiology
We are seeking to recruit a talented scientist to join a team of researchers and support staff
undertaking a major new programme of research and teaching in cancer survival, in
collaboration with existing staff in the Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group.
CONCORD is a programme for the global surveillance of cancer survival. It will involve estimating
international patterns, time trends and racial/ethnic differences in population-based survival
from 10 major malignancies around the world since 1995. Survival is a key measure of the
effectiveness of health services. It also enables estimation of the proportion of cancer patients
who are likely to have been “cured”, and the number of premature deaths that would be
avoidable if survival were as high as in a comparator population. These measures have
considerable importance for public health strategy and for evaluating progress in cancer control.
The Research Fellow will help to handle many large data sets from more than 180 populationbased cancer registries in 50 or more countries on 10 cancers diagnosed over the 15 years up to
2009, and comprising up to 30 million tumour records. S/he will need to be able to work
independently, under supervision by senior staff, and to be able to deal directly with registry
directors or analysts in a specific (e.g. continental) group of cancer registries. The Research
Fellow will tabulate and document a range of quality control parameters for each cancer and
each registry; perform the main survival analyses; produce tables and graphs of the results, and
contribute to publications. S/he will also contribute to the CONCORD teaching programme in the
UK and other countries.
The Research Fellow will be a member of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group in the
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
You are an enthusiastic epidemiologist/biostatistician looking for new opportunities and a
chance to address challenging research questions in cancer epidemiology. You have a track
record showing your capacity to learn new methodologies, develop statistical models and
analyse complex data sets. You are a self-motivated individual with excellent inter-personal skills
and you are capable of working in a large international collaborative team, as well as on your
own.
This is a new full-time position, available inmediately until 31 May 2013 in the first instance. The
salary will be within the range £35,661 to £40,499 on Research Fellow grade 6 and will be subject
to LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Prospective candidates seeking further information
may wish to contact Prof Michel Coleman (michel.coleman@lshtm.ac.uk) to arrange an informal
discussion.
Applications should be made on-line via our website www.jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for
this post is CC04 Applications should include the names and email contacts of 2 referees who can
be contacted immediately if you are shortlisted. Any queries regarding the application process
may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer
FURTHER PARTICULARS
THE SCHOOL
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is one of Europe’s leading schools of Public
Health and a leading postgraduate institution worldwide for research and postgraduate
education in global health.
Part of the University of London, the London School is the largest institution of its kind in Europe
with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise encompassing many disciplines. The School
was ranked one of the top 3 research institutions in the country in the Times Higher Education’s
'table of excellence', which is based on the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). In 2009,
the School became the first UK institution to win the Gates Award for Global Health.
The School’s environment is a rich multicultural one: there are almost 4000 students from 100+
countries following 22 taught masters courses delivered either in London (~650) or through
distance learning (~2700), and undertaking research degree training (~400). Over 40% of these
students are from non-European countries. The largest growth has been in distance learning
students (>40% over 3 years), though the London-based student population (where
accommodation limits growth) is at its highest level ever. Alumni are working in more than 180
countries. The School has about 1500 staff drawn from over 60 nationalities.
There are research collaborations with over 100 countries throughout the world, utilizing our
critical mass of multidisciplinary expertise which includes clinicians, epidemiologists, statisticians,
social scientists, economists, molecular biologists, immunologists, ophthalmologists,
anthropologists, virologists, pharmacologists and nutritionists. At any one time around 100
School staff are based overseas, particularly in Africa and Asia. We have a strong commitment to
partnership with institutions in low and middle income countries to support the development of
teaching and research capacity.
The School has expanded greatly in recent years. Its research funding now exceeds £67M per
annum, much of it from highly competitive national and international sources. The commitment
of staff to methodological rigour, innovative thinking and policy relevance will ensure that the
School continues to occupy a leadership position in national and global health, adapting quickly
to new challenges and opportunities.
Mission
To improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve
excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into
policy and practice.
THE FACULTY
The Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health (EPH) houses a large group of epidemiologists,
demographers, statisticians and nutritionists working on issues of major public health
importance in the UK and globally. EPH has approximately 330 staff members organised into four
research departments.
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Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Department of Medical Statistics
Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Department of Population Health
The Faculty has a teaching programme consisting of ten MSc courses: Epidemiology,
Demography and Health, Medical Statistics, Public Health in Developing Countries (run jointly
with the Faculties of Infectious & Tropical Diseases and Public Health & Policy), Nutrition for
Global Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health Research, Veterinary Epidemiology (run jointly with
the Royal Veterinary College), Global Mental Health (run jointly with Kings College London Institute of Psychiatry) and the Distance Learning courses in Epidemiology and Clinical Trials. The
Faculty also has approximately 149 research students studying for an MPhil, PhD or DrPH
degree. The Head of Faculty is Professor Laura Rodrigues.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology is the main focus of research on
the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical
Medicine. While most of our studies have been in the UK or other high income countries, we
have a growing programme of research on non-communicable diseases in low and middle
income countries, including India and parts of the former Soviet Union. Research interests range
from genetic susceptibility to disease, through metabolic and endocrine disease mechanisms to
personal behaviours and the population health effects of changes in national diets and drinking
behaviours. Themes include determinants of ethnic variation in disease risk; adverse drug
reactions; epidemiology of ageing; foetal and childhood origins of adult disease; determinants of
reproductive outcomes; cardiovascular disease; growth factors and cancer risk; natural history of
genital human papillomavirus (HPV); time trends in cancer survival; non-communicable diseases
in low and middle income countries. The department has considerable methodological strength
and experience, particularly in the analysis of genetic association studies and the conduct and
analysis of large scale longitudinal cohort and record linkage studies. We work closely with
colleagues in other departments and faculties and have excellent collaborative links with
researchers in other institutions around the world. Funding comes from a wide variety of sources
including the Medical Research Council, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. The
Department head is Prof. Liam Smeeth.
Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group
The post-holder will be part of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Survival Group within the
Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology. Our research is designed to describe
and explain local, national, international and socio-economic differences and inequalities in
cancer survival. The results help policy-makers to target investment in cancer services to
improve survival and reduce inequalities. Geographic differences in survival are being explored
within the UK and, in the EUROCARE and CONCORD projects, in collaboration with cancer
registries and research institutions in more than 60 countries worldwide.
The Cancer Survival Group is responsible for producing the official National Statistics on cancer
survival for England, in close collaboration with the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It also
collaborates with ONS on a range of other projects, analysing and publishing trends and sociodemographic patterns in cancer survival for all the major cancers by age, sex and socio-economic
status in England.
The Group is actively involved in methodological innovation in survival analysis, and participates
in the European network CENSURE. Statistical software and other tools for cancer survival
analysis developed by the Group have become widely used, and are freely accessible via its
webpages. More information about the Cancer Survival Group and its research can be found at:
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/eph/ncde/cancersurvival/
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Research Fellow in Epidemiology
Responsible to:
Dr Claudia Allemani and Prof Michel Coleman
Grade:
Academic Pathway – Research Fellow
We are seeking an epidemiologist to work on the global surveillance of cancer survival. The
successful applicant will have a postgraduate degree (MSc or equivalent) and proven research
experience in epidemiology, an excellent understanding of survival analysis, and the capacity to
implement new approaches in STATA and to develop statistical models to analyse complex data
sets. S/he will be expected to undertake independent research and to contribute to research
grant proposals.
Details of post
Tasks:
Under the supervision of Dr Allemani and Prof Coleman, and in collaboration with other
epidemiologists and statisticians working on the CONCORD project, the post-holder will be
expected to:
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Clean, manage and analyse complex cancer registration data sets.
Carry out cancer survival analyses and excess hazard modelling.
Contribute to the development of new research ideas and grant applications in cancer
research.
Work on other cancer epidemiology projects compatible with the Cancer Research UKfunded Cancer Survival Programme.
Write scientific papers for peer-reviewed publications.
Make oral or poster presentations at scientific conferences, and assist colleagues with such
presentations as appropriate.
Participate in meetings of the Cancer Survival Group.
Attend meetings of the Department of Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology and other
meetings (seminars, workshops, etc.), as necessary.
Contribute to the teaching programme in the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential attributes
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An MSc or equivalent postgraduate degree in epidemiology or biostatistics
A good understanding of the concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology, and in particular of
the theory of survival models.
Significant experience in the use of modern statistical packages, preferably STATA.
Experience in developing statistical models to analyse complex data sets and proven ability
to learn new methodologies.
Proven ability to work independently but also as a collaborative team member, to work
effectively under pressure and to meet tight project deadlines.
Ability to present scientific material clearly to a professional audience.
Publications in peer-reviewed journals that are commensurate with previous research
experience.
Excellent inter-personal skills.
Desirable attributes
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A research background and practical experience in cancer survival analysis.
Ability to develop and deliver teaching.
Appointment will be until 31 May 2013 in the first instance. We anticipate further resources for
at least 2 more years.
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
This is a new full-time position, available immediately until 31 May 2013 in the first instance. The
salary will be within the range £35,661 to £40,499 per annum inclusive on Research Fellow grade
6 and will be subject to LSHTM terms and conditions of service. Membership of the USS Pension
Scheme is available.
The post-holder will be a member of the Department of Non-communicable Disease
Epidemiology in the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health at the London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on-line at our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference for this
post is CC04. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until midnight on
the closing date. Applications should include the name and email contact details of 2 referees
who can be contacted immediately if you are shortlisted. Any queries regarding the application
process may be addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The supporting statement should set out how your qualifications, experience and training meet
each of the selection criteria. Please provide one or more paragraphs addressing each criterion.
The supporting statement is an essential part of the selection process; a failure to provide this
information will mean that your application will not be considered. An answer to any of the
criteria such as "Please see attached CV" will not be considered acceptable. Please note that if
you are shortlisted and are unable to attend (or otherwise participate in interview) on the
interview date it may not be possible to offer you an alternative date.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal opportunities
employer.