Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

The project:  Our ability to fully exploit new molecular and genetic technologies in epidemiology depends on a new generation of inter-disciplinary scientists who can harness the benefits of these technologies in exciting and productive ways. This innovative four-year PhD programme equips students with the knowledge and technical skills to achieve this.

The Programme The MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol has established a 4 year inter-disciplinary PhD programme.

The aim of our Integrative Epidemiology PhD programme is to train graduates from a wide range of disciplines (e.g. natural sciences, biostatistics, molecular genetics, econometrics, biochemistry, mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering and computational science) to integrate molecular, cellular, clinical and population data to identify the causal effects of potentially modifiable exposures on health-related outcomes. The PhD studentships are funded for 4 years and have two components:

1) a foundation year combining specific and generic skills training with practical experience gained from undertaking three 'mini-projects' each lasting 3 months and reflecting the programmes and cross-cutting themes of the Unit. Mini projects can be chosen from a range of topics to match individual training needs:

• Causal and translational epidemiology
• Data mining and bioinformatics
• Molecular/genetic sciences, including metabolomics and epigenetics and a laboratory attachment
• Statistical and econometric methodology
• Innovative data capture methods and cohort study methods in epidemiology

The rotations will be integrated with attendance at 1-5 day basic and advanced research skills training short courses, including new programme-specific courses (e.g. Epigenetic Epidemiology; Computational Medicine and Integrating Omics and Epidemiology)

2) a 3-Yr PhD project.

The University All of your studies will be at the University of Bristol, a leading UK research university. The university is near the centre of Bristol, a vibrant and leading UK city.

The MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol offers an integrated approach to postgraduate education in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment. It complements parallel PhD programmes at the University including (amongst others) those in Molecular, Genetic and Lifecourse Epidemiology; Dynamic Cell Biology; Neurosciences, and Complexity Sciences.

Candidate requirements: Candidates for MRC studentships must hold qualifications at the level of, or equivalent to, a good honours degree from a UK academic institution, in a subject relevant to MRC’s scientific remit. This should be a first or upper second class honours degree. Qualifications, or a combination of qualifications and experience, which demonstrate equivalent ability and attainment will also be considered.

Funding:  These studentships are in open competition for applicants who satisfy the eligibility requirements and are awarded for a period of four years. The studentships cover university tuition fees and, for those eligible, a stipend at the level recommended by Research Councils UK (tax free). Students also receive a research budget, transferable-skills training and a travel/conference allowance.

How to apply: Applications are invited from November 2013 for 3 studentships starting in October 2014. Applications are completed online at http://www.bris.ac.uk/pg-howtoapply.

For further details about the 4 year PhD Programme in Integrative Epidemiology, potential topics and supervisors please email scm-postgrad-admin@bristol.ac.uk.  You are strongly advised to discuss your PhD proposal with potential supervisors

Contacts: scm-postgrad-admin@bristol.ac.uk

Deadline for applications:  Monday 6^th January 2014 for 3 studentships to start in Oct 2014. Interviews will be held late January/Early February 2014

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