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Dr S Deeny
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Based at: Modelling and Economic Unit, Public Health England, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ
Supervisors: Sarah Deeny (Public Health England), Mark Wilcox (University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust & Public Health England), Carolyne Horner (Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust & Public Health England) and Susan Hopkins (University College London & Public Health England)
Registration at: University College London
Stipend: £15,930 per annum (tax free)
Interview date:TBC, requests for a phone interview can be accommodated.
Background and Objectives
Care homes, caring for elderly residents are considered to be an important link in the transmission of antibiotic resistant bacterial infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which can cause serious infections. Due to age and frailty, the residents of a care home are more likely to be admitted to hospital, and may become colonised with MRSA without showing any symptoms. They can then transmit MRSA to other residents in the care home. This process may occur repeatedly and is known as the “revolving door syndrome”. This project provides an exciting opportunity for a student to analyse data collected during a controlled intervention study implemented in 65 care homes in the Leeds area between November 2006 and February 2009 (1,2). This will inform and parameterise a mathematical model of MRSA transmission in a care home and hospital which the student will construct during their PhD. Using the model the student will then simulate the “revolving door syndrome” and examine its impact on MRSA incidence and control.
Person specification
This project is jointly supervised by researchers and clinicians in Public Health England, UCL, Leeds Teaching Hospital and University of Leeds and would be ideal for a student (UK and EU applicants) with a first or upper second class honours degree and preferably an MSc or MPhil with a significant computational component (including but not limited to Computational Biology, Epidemiology or Statistics). Students from other scientific disciplines who have a clearly demonstrated aptitude for programming and numerical reasoning may also be considered. The student should have a keen interest in pursuing research to inform policy in infectious disease transmission and control.
Dependent on the academic background of the student, we will provide informal or if deemed necessary formal additional training in microbiology, epidemiology or infectious disease modelling as appropriate. Therefore, the ideal candidate would have a large appetite for learning new skills, techniques and be able and willing to exploit opportunities for innovation and creativity as they arise. The successful candidate will also have to fulfil University College London postgraduate registration and entry requirements:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application/research/general-entry-requirements
In addition to developing the successful candidate’s existing quantitative skills in mathematical modelling and data analysis; this project provides an exiting opportunity to develop a foundation in epidemiology and infection control supported by a multi-disciplinary supervisory team. This studentship will allow a highly motivated student to produce clinically relevant research that will inform our understanding of the spread and control of MRSA outside the hospital setting.
Location and PhD registration:
The student will be based in the Modelling and Economics Unit (PHE, Colindale) . However the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with collaborators and co-supervisors in Leeds through regular teleconferences and some time spent working on site in Leeds. You will be registered with the University College London and participate in the post-graduate training programme as required.
EU applicants must demonstrate a relevant connection to the UK through ordinary residence. As a UK public funded body, PHE cannot fund applicants from outside the EU.
Application:
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter by email. In your covering letter please state why you think you are suited to the research project and why you are interested in the studentship and research subject. For further information please contact Sarah Deeny ([Email Address Removed])
Supervisors: Sarah Deeny (Public Health England), Mark Wilcox (University of Leeds, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust & Public Health England), Carolyne Horner (Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust & Public Health England) and Susan Hopkins (University College London & Public Health England)
Registration at: University College London
Stipend: £15,930 per annum (tax free)
Interview date:TBC, requests for a phone interview can be accommodated.
Background and Objectives
Care homes, caring for elderly residents are considered to be an important link in the transmission of antibiotic resistant bacterial infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which can cause serious infections. Due to age and frailty, the residents of a care home are more likely to be admitted to hospital, and may become colonised with MRSA without showing any symptoms. They can then transmit MRSA to other residents in the care home. This process may occur repeatedly and is known as the “revolving door syndrome”. This project provides an exciting opportunity for a student to analyse data collected during a controlled intervention study implemented in 65 care homes in the Leeds area between November 2006 and February 2009 (1,2). This will inform and parameterise a mathematical model of MRSA transmission in a care home and hospital which the student will construct during their PhD. Using the model the student will then simulate the “revolving door syndrome” and examine its impact on MRSA incidence and control.
Person specification
This project is jointly supervised by researchers and clinicians in Public Health England, UCL, Leeds Teaching Hospital and University of Leeds and would be ideal for a student (UK and EU applicants) with a first or upper second class honours degree and preferably an MSc or MPhil with a significant computational component (including but not limited to Computational Biology, Epidemiology or Statistics). Students from other scientific disciplines who have a clearly demonstrated aptitude for programming and numerical reasoning may also be considered. The student should have a keen interest in pursuing research to inform policy in infectious disease transmission and control.
Dependent on the academic background of the student, we will provide informal or if deemed necessary formal additional training in microbiology, epidemiology or infectious disease modelling as appropriate. Therefore, the ideal candidate would have a large appetite for learning new skills, techniques and be able and willing to exploit opportunities for innovation and creativity as they arise. The successful candidate will also have to fulfil University College London postgraduate registration and entry requirements:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate-study/application/research/general-entry-requirements
In addition to developing the successful candidate’s existing quantitative skills in mathematical modelling and data analysis; this project provides an exiting opportunity to develop a foundation in epidemiology and infection control supported by a multi-disciplinary supervisory team. This studentship will allow a highly motivated student to produce clinically relevant research that will inform our understanding of the spread and control of MRSA outside the hospital setting.
Location and PhD registration:
The student will be based in the Modelling and Economics Unit (PHE, Colindale) . However the successful candidate will be expected to work closely with collaborators and co-supervisors in Leeds through regular teleconferences and some time spent working on site in Leeds. You will be registered with the University College London and participate in the post-graduate training programme as required.
EU applicants must demonstrate a relevant connection to the UK through ordinary residence. As a UK public funded body, PHE cannot fund applicants from outside the EU.
Application:
To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter by email. In your covering letter please state why you think you are suited to the research project and why you are interested in the studentship and research subject. For further information please contact Sarah Deeny ([Email Address Removed])
References
1. Horner, C, M Wilcox, B Barr et al. BMJ Open 2012; e000423: doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000423.
2. Horner, C, P Parnell, D Hall et al. 2013 J Hosp Infect 2013; 83:212-218
2. Horner, C, P Parnell, D Hall et al. 2013 J Hosp Infect 2013; 83:212-218
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