PhD Studentship in Sheffield

["N.R.J.Fieller" <N.Fieller@sheffield.ac.uk>]

Applications are invited for a three-year EPSRC 
CASE studentship concerning statistical 
problems in medical imaging. The work is in 
collaboration with AstraZeneca. Full tuition fees 
and research expenses will be covered and a 
stipend starting at 12000GBP p.a.  rising to 
15000GBP in 2005/06 will be paid (including a 
contribution of 3000GBP from AstraZeneca).  



      EPSRC CASE Studentship

Statistical Issues in Pharmaceutical Imaging

SUMMARY 

This CASE studentship involves working with 
both the Medical Imaging Group and the EST 
Statistical Sciences Department of 
AstraZeneca at Alderley Park, Macclesfield. 
The overall aim of the work is to develop tools 
for detecting changes in medical images of 
target tissues that indicate effects of disease 
process or of therapies.  Standard parametric 
statistical testing and modelling techniques are 
usually inappropriate in such situations and this 
project will explore semi-parametric and non-
parametric computationally based alternatives. 
The work is likely to involve various methods of 
applied statistics, including exploratory 
multivariate analysis, density estimation, 
computational inference and elements of time 
series analysis.  This studentship should be 
attractive to those with a statistical  &/or 
mathematical background who want to develop 
their interest in the direction of biomedical 
applications and pharmaceutical drug 
development. It is intended that the studentship 
will start on 22 September 2003 or on 9 
February 2004.  Full details are given at 
http://www.shef.ac.uk/nickfieller.

REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should have, or should expect to 
obtain, a good first degree (i.e. 
BSc/BA/MMath/MStat) or MSc (or equivalent) 
involving a substantial proportion of statistics 
and mathematics. Some training in Multivariate 
Data Analysis, Computational Inference and 
Bayesian Methods can be acquired by taking 
appropriate courses from the Department's MSc 
programme during the first year of the project. 
The project will involve a substantial computing 
element and experience in a standard 
statistical computing environment (e.g. R/S-
PLUS/Matlab/SAS) will be an advantage.
Most work on the project will be based in 
Sheffield but a minimum of three months over 
the three years of the project will be spent with 
the sponsors in Alderley Park. Travel expenses 
etc will be provided.

ELIGIBILITY
The studentship is available to all EU nationals 
who are normally resident within the UK. The 
studentship will cover all academic fees plus a 
maintenance award of 9,000GBP in 2003/4, 
10,500GBP in 2004/5 and 12,000GBP in 
2005/6. In addition there is an industrial 
contribution of 3,000GBP per year by 
AstraZeneca. 
Current EPSRC guidelines restrict the 
maintenance part of the studentship to 
applicants with "a relevant connection with the 
United Kingdom", essentially to those normally 
resident in the UK (not resident mainly for 
educational purposes). Candidates with a 
relevant connection to another EU country may 
apply for a "fees-only" award. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE & CLOSING 
DEADLINE
Informal enquiries can be made to Nick Fieller, 
n.fieller@shef.ac.uk, 
tel: +44 (0) 114 222 3831 (direct line), fax: +44 
(0) 114 222 3759
Applicants should submit a formal application 
on the appropriate form obtainable from 
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/~gradsch/Recruitment
/ApplicationForm/ as soon as possible and 
preferably no later than 13 June 2003; the 
Department reserves the right to make an 
appointment before that date. As well as 
submitting the form to the Graduate Research 
Office, applicants should send a copy direct to 
Dr Nick Fieller, Department of Probability & 
Statistics, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, 
S3 7RH, UK  (or by email or fax) so that 
referees an be contacted quickly.