PhD Scholarship in Biostatistics

QUT Faculty of Science

QUT Faculty of Science
School of Mathematical Sciences

Project Aims

Medical decisions are increasingly based on data derived from multiple databases of different sizes and designs, with different acknowledged errors, and collected by different sources including hospitals, state and federal agencies and research facilities. NaÃ¯ve combination of these data without acknowledging these characteristics may lead to substandard decisions that affect the institution, medical profession and, importantly, the patient.

This three year project aims to develop practical Bayesian statistical models that account for different database characteristics and to evaluate the consequent potential improvement in medical decision-making for three different problems: cardiovascular disease management, orthopaedic surgery and neurological risk analysis, which are specialist areas of the Industry Partner, the St Andrew's Medical Institute in Brisbane. The methods will be targeted at defining and measuring processes to minimise deviation from ideal care pathways. Currently these pathways exist to guide "best-practice" clinical intervention based on clinical evidence-based practice. These new methods will aim to use multiple information sources to integrate other measures of holistic care in 'patient-based' practice, in accordance with the Industry Partner's mission. In order to extend the outcomes and impact of the project, a concomitant aim is to establish a Biostatistics Research Clinic within the Medical Institute, which will provide support, communication, training and collaborative research potential in the wider Institute community.

Selection Criteria

We are seeking a PhD student who is motivated to learn and develop new biostatistical methodology, and to actively participate in the application of this methodology in a medical environment. We seek someone who has:

A high class Honours degree or equivalent in statistics or a closely related discipline
High level skills in the development and application of statistical methodology
High level skills in statistical computing, programming and use of statistical software
Interest in medical statistics
Excellent technical and non-technical oral communication skills
Excellent technical and non-technical writing skills
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

The following attributes are also desirable:

Experience in the analysis of biostatistical data
Knowledge of Bayesian statistics
Experience in statistical consulting

Scholarship

A three-year APAI scholarship will be awarded. The annual stipend is $26,000 tax-free.

Eligibility

This scholarship is restricted to Australian and New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.

Application Details

Closing date for applications is 10th July 2007. Applications, addressing the selection criteria, should be submitted to:

Kylie Conlon
Administration Officer (Research)
School of Mathematical Sciences
Queensland University of Technology
GPO Box 2434
BRISBANE QLD 4001
Or email: kylie.conlon@qut.edu.au

Further Information

For further information about the project and PhD position, please contact the following academic staff at the School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology:
Dr Helen Johnson - phone: 07 3138 2890 or email: h.johnson@qut.edu.au
Professor Kerrie Mengersen - phone: 07 3138 2063 or email: k.mengersen@qut.edu.au