Funded Biostatistics/Data Science PhD project at the University of Calgary:
Bayesian methods for studying patient-centered comparative effectiveness.
Research Area: Data science; Bayesian statistics; clinical trials; network meta-analyses; computational statistics; biostatistics; precision medicine; machine learning; discrete choice experiments.
Start Date: September 2018
Application Deadline: January 31, 2018
Background:
A major and current concern in biomedical data science is how to tailor treatments for various conditions to individual patients, taking into account not only treatment benefits, but also possible harms and side effects. This is not only a clinical matter, but also relates to patients preferences regarding potential benefits and harms. The Bayesian approach to statistics is a very natural way to deal with such questions, building models from multiple sources of evidence, whilst also accounting for various sources of uncertainty (e.g., quality of model fit, quality of data, uncertainty of experts and/or patients expressing preferences).
Dr. Rob Deardon (Dept. of Mathematics & Statistics) and Dr. Glen Hazlewood (Dept. of Community Health Sciences) are requesting applications for a fully funded doctoral student position to explore the use of applied Bayesian methods for patient-centered comparative effectiveness research.
The student will have access to large data sets on treatment benefits and harms (including data sets from network meta-analysis and observational cohorts) and data from patient preference studies. The student will explore the use of Bayesian methods to synthesize comparative effectiveness research and to inform the design of future clinical trials in view of the existing evidence base and patients' preferences. The research will focus on rheumatoid arthritis treatment, which is of high interest to multiple stakeholders, given the increased availability of highly effective, but expensive treatment options. The ultimate goal is to produce cutting-edge models and software that can provide physicians with patient-tailored treatment recommendations.
A generous University of Calgary Eyes High scholarship is available for this position. The successful applicant will have an MSc in Data Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, or equivalent, with a good GPA, and have an interest in applied clinical research methods and computational statistics. Strong communication skills are essential.
Web: http://people.ucalgary.ca/~robert.deardon/
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Dr Rob Deardon
Associate Professor (Biostatistics), University of Calgary
Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Faculty of Science
Department of Production Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine (Adjunct)
Web:
http://people.ucalgary.ca/~robert.deardon/Tel: +1 403-210-7985 Room: HRIC 2AC66
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