PhD position in Biostatistics

We are delighted to be able to offer a 3-year PhD position in Biostatistics. This shall be a post-graduate post with registration at the University of Nairobi and based at the African Population Health Research Centre (APHRC). The position is aimed at developing the statistical and data management skills, starting from data capture and analysis, all through to publication, data archiving and data sharing. The data analysis tools shall be based on the nature of the data arising from the project. The activities shall be run under a recently initiated large-scale project Epilepsy Pathway Innovation in Africa (https://epina.web.ox.ac.uk/).

This project is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIHR), through the University of Oxford in collaboration with colleagues from University College London as well as London School of Economics, University of Newcastle, Kenya Medical Research Institute, African Population Health Research Centre (APHRC - Kenya), University of Ghana, Muhimbili University (Tanzania), the Tanzanian Epilepsy Association and the World Health Organization.

We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic person to drive forward this area of large-scale data management and analysis. Outstanding support will be provided throughout the project, and the successful applicant will become an integral part of the young and dynamic APHRC team, as well as spend time with internationally respected researchers, and travel to field sites in Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya (when travelling is permitted).

Role description – PhD in Biostatistics (EPInA Data Management and Analysis doctoral thesis)

As part of EPInA’s multi-method approach, large datasets including clinical, epidemiological, and anthropological data will be acquired. The aim of this PhD position is to conduct research in the field of biostatistics. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to provide full data management and data analysis support from study initiation, database design, data acquisition and quality control, data manipulation and quality assurance, and data analysis and interpretation. This should provide the candidate and the project team in general sufficient information to evaluate the overall impact of EPInA’s various implementation strategies, and to reduce the epilepsy knowledge gap in three different African countries. The overall aim is to help better understand the long-term social consequences of epilepsy, including stigmatisation and lost life chances. The entire process of data security, data sharing, and access to personal data from patients, across international research teams shall follow the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulatory environment and guidelines.

A final key attribute required of the PhD student will be to learn how to effectively communicate statistical messages to stakeholders within the EPInA project, and beyond the health sector such as health policymakers and local community leaders.

The data management and analysis skills developed as part of this work will also be transferrable to other aspects of health systems and policy research.

Skills we expect the student to develop / acquire

• Multi-disciplinary/ multi-cultural collaboration
• Health systems and policy analysis
• Communicating evidence to policy makers to inform implementation strategies
• Biostatistical data analysis skills

We expect the applicant to manage the EPInA’s Central Electronic System (Dashboard) with supervision from the Data Management Team at APHRC, conduct detailed analysis of datasets with members of the EPInA research team, attend scientific seminars, meetings and to contribute to presentation or other means of disseminating the results of the work, and contribute to the production of scientific reports and articles for specialised publications.

Prior skills and selection criteria

• A Masters degree from an African institution, in a relevant subject such as Statistical Science, Computing and Information Systems, or Information Technology.
• Demonstrable ability to organise and prioritise work efficiently whilst delivering results to the required standard and to an agreed schedule.
• Experience in creating Data Management and Analysis Plans.
• Demonstrable experience, ability, and practical skills in statistics and knowledgeable in statistical software including R, STATA and Excel and other tabulations software.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Ability to draft section of manuscripts for publication and present statistical results at conferences.

Desirable selection criteria

• Knowledge of epilepsy, neurology, or mental health.
• Demonstrable desire to continue to work within sub-Saharan Africa after completion of the project.

How to apply.

Applications will be made online and should include a CV, cover letter, statement of research interests and motivation, two references, and a transcript of previous degrees. Create a single PDF document of all the requirements listed above and submit to the email provided below.

Applications must arrive by 12:00 on 16th of August 2021 and sent to onyango@uonbi.ac.ke or nelsonowuor@gmail.com. Specify the email subject as “EPInA PHD Position in Biostatistics.”