THE LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
FACULTY OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND POPULATION HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY
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Research Assistant in Epidemiology
We have a vacancy for a Research Assistant to work in the Non-Communicable Disease
Epidemiology Department within the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health with
Professor Liam Smeeth’s team. The post-holder will work on an exciting new study on
the validation of COPD and COPD exacerbations within the UK General Practice
research database and also profile the natural history of acute exacerbations of COPD
patients, and explore the relationship between cardiovascular disease and risk of acute
exacerbation of COPD. The study involves use of very large datasets of linked
electronic health records. The post-holder will carry out data management and analyses
of these data. S/he will be expected to register for a PhD in Epidemiology on a topic
related to the aims of the study. The post is based in London.
Applicants should have an MSc in epidemiology or related area with very good results,
excellent quantitative skills, practical experience of creating, manipulating and managing
very large complex datasets with a meticulous approach and an interest in the
epidemiology of respiratory diseases. The appointment will be until 30th September
2015 in the first instance and will be made on the School’s Research Assistant scale
(£31,065-£35,661 per annum inclusive). This is a full time position.
Interested applicants are also invited to contact Dr Jennifer Quint
(jennifer.quint@lshtm.ac.uk ) for further information.
Applications should be made on-line via our website at http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk .The
reference for this post is JQ01. Applications should also include a CV and the names
and email contacts of two referees who can be contacted immediately if the candidate is
shortlisted. Further particulars and the job description are available from
http://jobs.lshtm.ac.uk.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is committed to being an equal
opportunities employer.
FURTHER PARTICULARS
LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE
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 Londonbased 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 – Institiute of Psychiatry) and the Distance Learning
courses in Epidemiology and Clinical Trials. The Department also has approximately 149
research students studying for an MPhil, PhD or DrPH degree. The Head of Faculty is
Professor Laura Rodrigues.
THE DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY (NCDE) 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; noncommunicable 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 Professor Liam Smeeth.
JOB DESCRIPTION
POST:
Research Assistant in Epidemiology
Responsible to:
Dr Jennifer Quint
Grade:
Academic Pathway Grade 5
THE POST
This post is for a research assistant to join the Department of Non-Communicable
Disease Epidemiology (NCDE), London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
(LSHTM). The post-holder will work on the Medical Research Council and GSK funded
project ‘Validation of COPD and COPD exacerbations and the relationship between
COPD exacerbations and vascular events’. The aims of the project are to improve our
definition of COPD and exacerbations of COPD, to profile the natural history of acute
exacerbations of COPD patients, and to explore the relationship between cardiovascular
disease and risk of acute exacerbation of COPD. The project will use large linked UK
datasets of hospital, general practice and mortality records and the UK MINAP registry. .
The post-holder will assist the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr Jennifer Quint, in the data
management and in selected analyses of the large datasets used for this project. S/he
will be expected to undertake a PhD in Epidemiology using these data, on a topic that
relates to the aims of the study.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To prepare the large datasets for analysis for a programme of work around
COPD. This will include merging, cleaning and categorising the data, and (under
the supervision of the PI) developing and applying code lists for the variables of
interest.
2. To work with the PI in carrying out selected analyses of the data.
3. To participate in the writing of results of the analyses for publication in peer
reviewed journals and in any other form of dissemination of research findings,
such as research seminars.
4. To identify, obtain and maintain relevant research papers and anonymised
patient hospital correspondence.
5. To undertake data extraction and initial data management of electronic health
record data for collaborative studies within the department
6. To participate in monthly meetings held within the Faculty of Epidemiology &
Population Health at the LSHTM for researchers who work on studies using
these large datasets.
7. To undertake other duties as may be required by the Principal Investigator.
8. To contribute to the School’s postgraduate teaching programme
9. To contribute appropriately to the academic life of the Department, Faculty and
the School
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL:
1. A Masters Degree in Epidemiology or related area with very good results
2. Evidence of excellent quantitative skills with a range of statistical techniques and
methods.
3. Proven ability using statistical software for managing and analyzing data using
STATA.
4. Proven expertise in wider information technology including creating, manipulating
and managing very large complex datasets with a meticulous approach.
5. Excellent writing skills
6. Interest in the epidemiology of respiratory diseases
7. Willingness to do a PhD in Epidemiology using these data
DESIRABLE
1. Experience in working with UK population-based data
SALARY AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
The appointment will be until 30th September 2015 in the first instance and will be made
on LSHTM’s Academic scale, £31,065- £35,661 per annum inclusive. Ideally we would
like the post-holder to start in October 2012. The post will be subject to the LSHTM
terms and conditions of service. Membership of the USS pension scheme is available.
APPLICATIONS
Applications should be made on-line at our website at jobs.lshtm.ac.uk. The reference
for this post is JQ01. Online applications will be accepted by the automated system until
midnight on of the closing date. Any queries regarding the application process may be
addressed to jobs@lshtm.ac.uk.
The supporting statement section 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 and thus a failure to provide this information will mean that the 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 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.