PhD studentship in health economics – cost effectiveness modelling of women’s cancer prevention strategies including BRCA testing for the Jewish population.

Queen Mary University London in collaboration with The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine are pleased to invite applications for a PhD studentship in health economics, on cost effectiveness modelling of BRCA testing for the Jewish population and women’s cancer prevention. The studentship will commence in January 2025.  

The selected student will have Associate student status at Queen Mary University of London in the Centre for Cancer Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis, Wolfson Institute of Population Health. 

The student will be registered for their PhD at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the Faculty of Public Health Policy. The Faculty of Public Health and Policy (PHP) aims to improve health in the UK and worldwide. We do this through research, teaching and consultancy in the areas of health policy, health systems and services, and public health.

The studentship will examine the cost-effectiveness of genetic testing for cancer genes in the UK Jewish population as well as aspects of women’s cancer prevention strategies. The exact focus of the PhD will be developed with the successful candidate and can depend on their interests and prior expertise. Applicants are welcome to contact the project supervisors for an informal discussion prior to applying.

The teams at LSHTM and QMUL have a long standing collaboration and track record of research in this area. The student will be based both at LSHTM and the Women’s Precision Prevention Team at Wolfson Institute of Population Health, QMUL.

Supervisors: Dr Rosa Legood, Prof Ranjit Manchanda

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before the start of the PhD, a relevant MSc awarded with good grades, or have a combination of relevant qualifications and experience which demonstrates equivalent ability and attainment.

The PhD Programme at LSHTM

Students will be mentored by their supervisory team made up of three academics and an Advisory Committee consisting of at least two other people, who can be from outside LSHTM. Students are expected to take part in the academic life of their department and can also be members of other Academic Centres - e.g. Global health economic centre. All research seminars and journal clubs are open to PhD students from across the School. Students are able to take up to four Master’s level Study Modules per academic year, subject to approval from their supervisor.

Support for research students’ future career development is covered through the supervision process, through the Transferable Skills Programme (in the School and the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network) and the School’s Careers Service. Also important for career development are the opportunities for students to network and establish professional contacts. The School also facilitates national and international conference attendance by students in the later stages which provides networking opportunities.

Queen Mary University of London

Ranked joint 7th in the UK for the quality of its research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, Queen Mary University of London, is one of the UK's leading research-intensive higher education institutions, delivering world class education and knowledge transfer across a wide range of subjects in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Medicine & Dentistry and Science & Engineering.

The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry offers international excellence in research and teaching, and supports clinical service for a population of unrivalled ethnic diversity in East London and the wider Thames Gateway.  At the forefront of medical research and education, with research themes in cancer, cardiovascular medicine, inflammation, trauma and population health, the Faculty is ranked 2nd in the 2021 QS World University rankings for research citations and consistently positioned first in London for subject rankings and student satisfaction. Working with six NHS Trust partners in East London, the Faculty is central to delivering impact on health-related challenges for local and global populations; it has a strong commitment to public engagement through its pioneering science education centre in Whitechapel, The Centre of the Cell. The Faculty is firmly embedded in our East End and global communities, and through education and research we are committed to improving the health outcomes, the wellbeing, and the prosperity of those we serve through a strategy focused on Better Health for All.

The Wolfson Institute of Population Health harnesses expertise across a wide range of population based research and education activities and aims to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence in population health and preventive medicine. The Institute is organised into five separate research centres which, though complementary and following the Institute strategic plan, also have Centre-specific objectives and requirements.

In addition to the usual academic staff of a university, the Institute also employs a significant number of clinical academic staff who are intrinsic to the delivery of clinical practice, both within acute trusts, primarily Barts Health NHS Trust, and within primary care.

The Centre for Prevention, Detection and Diagnosis (CPDD), is at the national and international forefront of research into the prevention, detection and control of cancer. We have particularly active research programmes investigating prevention, screening, awareness and early diagnosis of a range of cancers including breast, ovary, cervical, colorectal, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer, and utilising a range of research methods.

How to apply

To apply for this studentship, applicants should submit an application to Victoria White via email- [Email Address Removed]

The application should include an up to 250 word personal statement regarding reason for applying and an up to date CV. Please forward your contact details including your email and mobile number with the application.

You can also if you wish include a brief potential 250 word research proposal identifying a specific research question or hypothesis.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.  

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to Professor Ranjit Manchanda at [Email Address Removed] ; or Dr Rosa Legood at [Email Address Removed]