Using Causal inference methods for making and using medicines better

Description

Professor Reecha Sofat (Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Liverpool) is recruiting to an NIHR funded PhD position for 4 years to support a UK based graduate. We are interested in data science approaches to making and using medicines better. The projects will be using data sets which include electronic health records, and genetic data and where these are also both linked. For example, data sets will include UK Biobank, Clinical Practice Research Data Link (CPRD), NHS Secure Data Environment, population- and disease-based cohorts. The area of interest is to use methods of causal inference e.g. Mendelian randomisation (MR), Target Trial Emulation (TTE) as well as other epidemiological, statistical and analytical methods to understand whether we can: i) identify better drug targets, ii) identify strategies of repurposing, ii) prioritise randomised control trials. We are also interested in testing real world efficacy and cost-effectiveness as well as addressing major policy areas in therapeutics using a data science approach. The PhD will enable you to learn methods and work in large data sets upskilling in coding languages, epidemiological, statistical and advanced analytics skills. We have a supportive and multidisciplinary environment with expertise in pharmacology, epidemiology, genomics, engineering and software development. Informal enquiries should be sent to Dr Vicky Garfield (Senior Lecturer in Genetic Epidemiology): V.Garfield@liverpool.ac.uk or Prof Reecha Sofat (Chair in Clinical Pharmacology): R.Sofat@liverpool.ac.uk 

Applications should be made to project supervisors in the first instance via CV and cover letter. This is for all applications. Only when a candidate has been selected following interview will a formal online application be required.