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Programme leader in methodological research

10:24:00 AM

Background

The Medical Research Council’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU, based in London) is one of the UK’s leading centres for clinical research. The CTU conducts national and international clinical trials, meta-analyses and epidemiological studies with a particular focus in cancer and infectious diseases. Our research helps to improve healthcare both nationally and internationally.

With the appointment of a new Director, methodological research is also being developed as a major focus of the CTU. As one of eight regional MRC Hubs for Trials methodology Research, we are working to strengthen the methodological platform underpinning UK trials research. It is one of a national network of eight regional Hubs, established by the MRC to develop new and improved methods for the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials (and related studies).

The CTU and CTU Hub employs around 200 staff and is currently conducting around 60 trials and meta-analyses.

We are now seeking a high-calibre statistical methodologist to lead the development of our methodological research portfolio.

The appointment is being offered as a permanent position. The starting salary will be negotiable and will reflect your skills and experiences.

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The role

You will direct and sustain internationally competitive research to enhance the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials and possibly observational studies and meta-analysis. You will also develop your own research interests of relevance to the activities of the CTU Hub, and thus help broaden the scope of its methodological portfolio. You will be responsible for the direction and supervision of the methodological research of other statistical staff and PhD students.

Over the last 10 years, despite limited resources, the CTU methodology programme has been productive. We have been developing and implementing innovative design and analysis methods for our trials. We are identifying optimal ways to conduct trials in order to improve their quality and cost-effectiveness. Through our empirical research, we are also improving the both the statistical and practical methodology of systematic reviews and meta-analysis. As a senior methodologist, you will play a key role in the future development and expansion of this programme.

A copy of the job description and person specification can be found here.

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What the CTU and the role can offer you

  • The MRC CTU is recognised as a beacon of excellence in the conduct of clinical trials and related studies and has had a major impact on the treatment of patients with major diseases such as cancer, HIV, TB worldwide. This role provides the opportunity for methodological research that will also have high impact not only on the design conduct and analysis of future studies, but also potentially on patient outcomes.
  • The CTU and the CTU Hub within it provides a rare environment for a methodologist. It gives the ability to interact and influence clinical studies. The studies highlight important and relevant methodological research questions. New methods can then be implemented directly and immediately in these studies and can be further refined/developed in new and ongoing studies.
  • The CTU strategic plan (including methodological research plans) for the next five years has been highly rated and fully funded.
  • The CTU already has research links with the MRC Biostatistics unit (based in Cambridge) and strengthening of those links would be encouraged.
  • An opportunity to frame and pursue long-term programmes of research (during the next five years and beyond) circumvents short-term pressures.
  • London is a vibrant centre of research excellence in medical statistics and offers many collaborative possibilities. For example, we have collaborations with University College London, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Imperial College London and Kings College London.
  • A University College London (UCL) appointment may be considered for the successful appointee
  • While teaching responsibilities are not a requirement of the post, teaching opportunities may be available according to the appointee’s preference and commitments.

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What the MRC can offer you

  • The MRC offers an extensive range of career opportunities for scientists, research support staff, and management and admin professionals. Over 3,000 people are employed in research establishments throughout the UK, two research units in Africa and administrative centres in London, Cambridge, Oxford and Swindon.

See our Benefits page for more information.

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How to find out more and apply

To discuss and register your initial interest in our vacancy, please contact:

Nicola Gwinnett, Head of Resourcing

44 (0)7786602816

Email:Nicola.Gwinnett@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk

To discover more about the CTU, and the role of the Programme Leader, please contact

Professor Max Parmar, Director CTU

Email: m.parmar@ctu.mrc.ac.uk

Or

Professor Patrick Royston

44 (0)20 7670 4729

Email: pr@ctu.mrc.ac.uk

Closing date for applications is Friday 11th November 2011.

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