Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Applied Medical Statistics in Cambridge, UK

The post is funded for 4 years in the first instance, with likely extension thereafter. The post is jointly funded by the NIHR and a charity (Sands).
The successful candidate will work on the analysis of a prospective cohort study which has completed recruitment (July 2012) and will have completed all data collection by Spring 2013. A total of 4,544 women with first pregnancies have been studied. They have been serially scanned from their first antenatal visit (~12 weeks) with research scans performed at 20, 28 and 36 weeks gestational age. Blood samples have been obtained at the same intervals. The dataset will consist of maternal demographic characteristics, data from the serial ultrasound scans (fetal measurements and placental blood flow measures), combined with an extensive series of biomarkers. The major outcomes of interest are intra-uterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia (i.e. pregnancy induced high blood pressure and renal dysfunction). The data represent a unique international resource and it is anticipated that a series of high profile publications will arise, with significant impact on maternity care. The cohort has been funded by the Women’s Health theme of the NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre.

The study protocol has been published:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2611961/
The primary role will be to perform analysis of the dataset. Major analytic methods will include multivariate linear and logistic regression, area under the ROC curve analysis, plus application of methods for adjusting for optimism (bootstrapping or cross validation). An appropriate qualification and/or PhD in Statistics is essential. Previous experience of multivariate analysis of observational data is highly desirable. There will be some scope for methodological work in addition to the analytical work. Methodological areas may include the approach to over-fitting and optimistic assessment of the C statistic, the assessment of linearity of continuous variables and the treatment of missing data.
The PI of the study is Prof Gordon Smith of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. There is a strong track record of publication of obstetric epidemiological research in top journals over the last 15 years, with publications in Nature (1), NEJM (3), JAMA (4), Lancet (4), BMJ (8) and PLoS Medicine (3). There is also a strong track record of collaboration and joint publications with the nearby MRC Biostatistics Unit, including methodological papers. The post will be based in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. However, the work will be overseen jointly with two biostatisticians: Dr Ian White (Programme Leader MRC BSU) and Dr Angela Wood (Lecturer in Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health).
Please download the further particulars from our website http://www.obgyn.cam.ac.uk/job1.html
Please submit your full application (letter of application, CHRIS/5 http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/forms/chris5/ and CV with two academic referees) to Joanne Hackett (jh483@medschl.cam.ac.uk). Posted applications should be address to Joanne Hackett, Department Administrator, University of Cambridge, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Box 223, Level 2, The Rosie Hospital, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SW. Please quote reference: RI00917.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 14th March 2013.
Shortlisted candidates will be informed on Friday 15th March and interviewed on 28th March 2013.
Fixed-term: The post will be for 4 years in the first instance. RA or SRA status will be determined by previous experience.