Treatment outcomes in multiple sclerosis

Treatment outcomes in multiple sclerosis University of Melbourne, Department of Medicine Position Description Title: MSBase at Melbourne Brain Centre Postgraduate Research Scholarship Department: Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne Full-time PhD position commencing in 2016 Primary supervisor: Dr Tomas Kalincik Co-supervisor: Prof Helmut Butzkueven Contact: tomas.kalincik@unimelb.edu.au Research Scope Theme Modelling disease outcomes in multiple sclerosis    Synopsis Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of neurological disability among young adults, with the peak of onset in 3-4th decades of life. Almost half of the patients with multiple sclerosis ultimately develop severe limitation of activities of daily living and independence, and less than half of the patients maintain employment. Immunomodulatory and immunosuppressant disease modifying therapies represent the standard of disease management in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. However management of progressive multiple sclerosis, prediction of disease outcomes and individually-tailored therapy still remain to be resolved. This postgraduate research scholarship will utilise a global observational cohort study and statistical modelling, including analysis of longitudinal data, propensity score-based methods and individual predictive analysis, to address the questions of (i) treatment and outcomes of progressive multiple sclerosis, (ii) early predictive markers of treatment response, and (iii) the outcomes of various management decisions and treatment pathways.   Outcomes and impact The research completed in the course of the candidature will inform clinical practice of multiple sclerosis management globally. It will further our understanding of predictors of treatment response and will enable individualised multiple sclerosis therapy. The student will develop knowledge observational clinical research, multivariable modelling, analysis of longitudinal data, neuroepidemiology and multiple sclerosis - disease and treatment outcomes.    Research Environment MSBase is a large, international, observational multiple sclerosis registry, collecting longitudinal clinical information from over 37,000 patients in 119 centres and 35 countries. It is a collaborative research initiative with a significant scientific output generated over the past five years. The Melbourne Brain Centre at Royal Melbourne Hospital is an internationally recognised centre for clinical multiple sclerosis research, including investigator-driven multiple sclerosis trials and observational studies. The centre has a particular interest in translational research in neurology. The Multiple Sclerosis Unit provides continuous care for more than 1100 patients. The MSBase at Melbourne Brain Centre Postgraduate Research Scholarship provides a research experience that incorporates training in translational multiple sclerosis research with a focus on neuroepidemiology, treatment outcomes and statistical methodology in a large longitudinal observational dataset. The candidate will have an excellent opportunity to develop their knowledge at a globally recognised facility and advance translational research in multiple sclerosis. Selection Criteria Undergraduate education in statistics, biostatistics, mathematics or epidemiologyFirst Class Honours in a discipline relevant to the Research ScopeCompetitive academic track recordStrong interest in academic researchCapacity to work independently as a part of a research group Funding The MSBase at Melbourne Brain Centre Postgraduate Research Scholarship is equivalent to APA rate (AU$ 26,288 per annum with the possibility of extending further six months). A waiver of the tuition fees will be considered for a competitive international candidate.Applications Interested applicants should contact Dr Kalincik with their CV, transcript of tertiary records and a cover letter explaining their interest in the topic and addressing the selection criteria. View this listing on the PhDSeek.com website at http://www.phdseek.com/phds/1344, « Back to latest PhD listingsLocationUniversity of Melbourne, Department of http://www.ischolarshipgrants.com/by-degree/phd-scholarships/treatment-outcomes-in-multiple-sclerosis-20160322/,