Phd position in Biostatistics - topic of survival analysis - UCLouvain BE

Starting from September 2009, the Institute of Statistics of the Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, has a vacancy for a PhD student in Biostatistics in the topic of Survival Analysis.

The position is meant to conduct research on frailty models and their application in analysis of data from clinical trials. Despite the fact that frailty models became probably the most popular model to analyse clustered survival data, very little work has been done on the choice of the frailty density. In this project, we would like to investigate further the type of dependence induced by various choices of frailty density, the impact of misspecification of this density, and aim to develop diagnostics and goodness-of-fit tests. This research has direct application to the analysis of data from multicenter survival clinical trials.

Description of the position

As a research assistant (up to 4 years' tax-free monthly grant of about 1500 Euros) the doctoral student's main activity is working on his/her thesis under the supervision of Prof. Catherine Legrand. Apart from conducting research that leads to journal publications and a PhD. thesis, the candidate is expected to follow the program of the Graduate School in Statistics and Actuarial Sciences and he/she can be involved on a small scale into some teaching activities of the IS.

Description of the working environment

The Institute of Statistics is a renowned research centre of high international reputation which offers a very stimulating working environment. It is equipped with modern computing facilities, a statistics library, a vivid visitors' programme and ample funding for scientific travel. At the IS there are about 15-20 doctoral students working under the supervision of about 10 professors, in a variety of fields of methodological and applied statistics, including biostatistics and actuarial sciences. They are integrated into the Graduate School in Statistics and Actuarial Sciences which offers them an up-to-date training in their field via regular seminar series, short courses and workshops, all in English and often given by international short and long-term visitors. A high percentage of the PhD students graduate from the IS and succeed in starting a promising career, be it in academia or industry.
The IS is part of a large international research network. It has numerous academic contacts, including those to neighbouring fields (medicine, agronomy, social science, economy, finance and engineering) as well as collaborations with industry. It is placed in the heart of a modern, vivid and international university campus, in close proximity of Brussels and its international airport, and in short travel distance to other European capitals.

Required qualifications

The ideal candidate should have a degree on the master level in (Bio)Statistics or in related field. This diploma must be obtained with at least distinction or an equivalent grade.
Beside good background in statistics and mathematics, the candidate should have an interest for applied statistics in clinical settings; good programming skills and experience in the use of statistical software such as SAS and/or R is a plus.
The candidate should be highly motivated, think analytically and creatively and have a good command of French and/or English.

To apply

Applications including a curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation and two letters of recommendation should be sent before November 1st 2009, to:
Prof. Catherine Legrand
Catherine.legrand@uclouvain.be
Institut de Statistique - Université catholique de Louvain
20 Voie du Roman Pays
B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve - Belgique

More information can be obtained from: Prof. Catherine Legrand
Email: catherine.legrand@uclouvain.be , Phone: +32 (0)10 478798

Further information on the Institute of Statistics can be obtained from http://www.uclouvain.be/en-stat.html .