ISCB: 3.5 year PhD studentship at University of Leicester – Predicting pregnancy outcomes using longitudinal biomarkers

3.5 year PhD project available at the University of Leicester, as part of the MRC Integrated Midlands Partnership for Biomedical Training (IMPACT: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/scholarships/mrc-impact/index.aspx)

 

Project title:

Predicting pregnancy outcomes using longitudinal biomarkers: Analysis of urinary human chorionic gonadotrophin levels in normal and failing pregnancies

 

Supervisors:

Dr Michael Crowther (michael.crowther@le.ac.uk) and Professor Keith Abrams (keith.abrams@le.ac.uk)

Biostatistics Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester

 

Industry collaborator/supervisor:

Dr Sarah Johnson, SPD Development Company Limited/Clearblue

 

Description:

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is a marker of early pregnancy. This project aims to determine the feasibility of being able to distinguish between healthy and failing pregnancies by utilising patient-associated risk factors and daily urinary hCG levels. A key aim is to develop a dynamic, individually tailored prediction tool to enable the monitoring of mothers at home throughout pregnancy, in an attempt to identify failing pregnancies at an earlier stage. Early identification of a failing pregnancy would offer the possibility of appropriate intervention, or, when this is not possible, admission to hospital in order to ensure the safety of the mother and appropriate counselling.  This project has substantial scope for biostatistical methods development and clinically important developments in the field of reproductive and maternal health.

 

Funding:

Enhanced stipend of £17,500/annum tax-free and opportunity to spend time with SPD/Clearblue and additional generous conference & training funding

 

This project falls within the Digital Technologies and Informatics for Health Theme. Further details can be found here: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/scholarships/mrc-impact/digital.aspx

 

Application deadline: 11pm Wednesday 7th June 2017. Studentship must be taken up October 2017.

 

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion

 

Eligibility requirements:

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/scholarships/mrc-impact/eligibility.aspx

 

How to apply:

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mds-graduate-school/scholarships/mrc-impact/apply.aspx