IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Statistician (SM211/09)
Department:
Surgery and Cancer / Clinical Trials Unit
Group:
Cancer Screening and Prevention Research Group
Job Family:
Professional Services, Level 3b
Salary Range:
£31,180 - £38,730 per annum
Contract:
Full-time for 12 months
Responsible to:
Professor Wendy Atkin
Location:
St Mary’s Campus of Imperial College London at Paddington
Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a statistician to work in the Cancer Screening and
Prevention Research Group (CSPRG) which is based in the Department of Surgery and
Cancer at Imperial College London.
The CSPRG group has funding for several large research projects from various
governmental and charitable sources including the National Institute for Health Research,
the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK. The statistician will be required to
contribute to the design, analysis and publication of studies in our research portfolio. He/she
will be expected to be able to work independently although support from senior statistical
colleagues will be available as necessary. They will also be expected to provide expert
statistical advice to junior staff within the research group.
The statistician will liaise closely with statisticians in the School of Public Health and with the
Imperial College Clinical Trials Unit.
Summary of Research Projects
The main focus of work of the research team is colorectal cancer (also known as bowel
cancer). Colorectal cancer is the second most frequent cause of death from cancer in the
UK, affecting 35,000 people each year. The Cancer Screening and Prevention Research
Group, based at St Mary’s, undertakes research which aims to reduce the incidence and
mortality of this disease. We have several projects in our research portfolio, the largest of
which are outlined below.
Preventing colorectal cancer in the population
The UK Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening trial (UKFSST), also known as the Flexi-Scope
Trial, has been funded by the Medical Research Council since 1994. It is designed to test
the hypothesis that a once-in-a lifetime Flexi-Scope screening, an examination of the lower
bowel which takes only 5 minutes, would be a cheap and effective method of preventing
colorectal cancer. A Department of Health economic study has shown that this method could
be a cost-saving method of screening.
Between 1996 and 1998, we recruited 170,000 people and screened 40,000 people. We
have published around 70 papers and are currently analysing the results of 10 years’ followup. If the outcome of the trial is successful it is expected that this method of screening would
be included in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme as either an additional or
alternative method of screening.
We have also been granted funding for 5 years for a study called PROXY to investigate how
bowel cancers above the reach of the Flexi-Scope test could be prevented. Preventing
proximal colon cancer is a huge challenge and our entire team is collaborating on this
exciting area of research.
Preventing cancer in higher risk groups
Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps in the lining of the bowel called adenomas.
Adenomas are very common, and are found in around one third of the population by the age
of 60. Most polyps appear to be innocuous and pose little risk of cancer during the normal
lifespan.
Polyps are asymptomatic and are often found coincidently during examination of the bowel
in symptomatic people. The problem is that they recur in 30-50% of people so it is generally
suggested that they should have repeated exams of the colon to remove recurrences. We
have previously shown that most people with adenomas are at very low risk of developing
cancer and don’t need follow-up. However, around a third of people with adenomas will
need to have regular examinations of their bowel by colonoscopy because they are at
increased risk. However, it is not known how often they require follow-up. This is very
important as the exam is very expensive and carries a small risk of severe complications.
Investigating the optimum surveillance strategy for higher risk people is now a priority for the
Department of Health as the introduction of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme
has identified many people with adenomas requiring surveillance, which is potentially a drain
on endoscopy resources.
We are undertaking a large study using datasets collected in screening studies in Italy and
the United States and from over 20 UK NHS hospitals. So far we have collected 100,000
cases.
We are also about to start a pilot study examining the feasibility and acceptability of using
curcumin, a constituent of the spice turmeric, to prevent the development of cancer in people
who have a history of adenomas. This study is funded by Cancer Research UK and is a
collaboration with the University of Leicester.
Efficient non-invasive methods of diagnosing cancer
We are currently analysing a trial we undertook to look at the most cost-effective methods of
diagnosing colorectal cancer in people presenting with symptoms. Diagnosing colorectal
cancer currently costs the NHS £0.5 billion each year. Our trial (SIGGAR1) is comparing CT
colonography which is a relatively new technology with two standard methods of examining
the bowel: barium enema and colonoscopy. We completed trial recruitment in November
2007, having recruited 6000 people in 20 centres around the UK. We are now analysing the
results.
Main Areas of Responsibility:
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Statistical input into the design, organisation, and management of research projects.
Statistical analysis of data from trials and observational studies.
Assisting research group staff with checking, validating and cleaning of data.
Recognising problems arising during the execution and analysis of studies and identifying
possible solutions.
Providing written statistical input to protocols, ethics committee submissions, and grant
proposals.
Contributing to publications for peer reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.
Preparation of graphics for public presentations.
Attending and contributing to collaborators meetings/steering groups/data monitoring committee
meetings.
Working closely with and giving informal advice to trial managers and data clerks in the
team.
Dissemination of statistical ideas, applications, and methods to relevant staff and
collaborators.
Keeping up-to-date with developments in statistical and statistical computing
methodology.
Continuing Professional Development:
Responsibility for personal CPD, keeping abreast of current statistical issues, by:
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Reading journals and books
Attending seminars, conferences and scientific meetings
Belonging to relevant professional bodies
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and so the post holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
The post holder is expected to observe and comply with all College policies and
regulations, for example Health and Safety, Data Protection etc.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in our
Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy and
Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess the following attributes:
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
 A good (first or upper second) first degree, preferably with a large statistical component
 A postgraduate degree in statistics, a substantial part of which relates to medical statistics
or equivalent experience
 Familiar with key aspects of study design and analysis, and aware of the latest statistical
techniques
 Computer literate (able to manage files, directories, back-up, internet, e-mail, and use
multiple software packages in a Windows environment)
 Standard keyboard skills
 Proficient with
 statistical software (including at least one of STATA, SPLUS, SAS or SPSS);
 word processing (preferably MS Word);
 at least one database or spreadsheet package (preferably MS Excel or MS Access
 internet
 e-mail
Desirable
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Previous work as a medical statistician
Knowledge of a programming language eg SQL
Basic presentation skills eg familiarity with MS PowerPoint
Small group teaching experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
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Ability to prioritise tasks and organise work effectively to meet deadlines
Ability to work independently and in a team
A meticulous approach and attention to detail
Proven ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing
Ability to present information to meetings, take part in discussion at meetings, and
contribute to written reports and papers for publication
Proven ability to take the initiative to identify problems and suggest improved working
methods without being instructed to do so
Proven ability to learn new skills quickly
Ability to grasp clinical research problems, understand basic medical information and
identify hypotheses to be tested
Ability to work with a minimum of supervision
APPLICATION GUIDANCE
Please read the person specification carefully and describe, as part of your application, how
much you feel you meet each of the criteria.
Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.