Research Statistician

An exciting opportunity exists in the ALSPAC (Children of the 90s) study for a post-doctoral statistician to join a dynamic and internationally-recognised team investigating lung function growth and decline over the life course as part of a major European project.

The successful candidate will be responsible for analysis of longitudinal lung function data, early life influences on maximally attained lung function, presentation of work at annual scientific meetings and liaison with scientists from other cohorts around Europe. Training and support in applying relevant statistical methods will be given and the post holder will have access to the excellent short course programme in the School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol http://www.bristol.ac.uk/social-community-medicine/shortcourse/

Lung function increases during childhood, reaching its peak during the mid-twenties and then naturally declines with ageing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the biggest killers in the world and has been regarded as a disease of adults, strongly associated with smoking and rapid lung function decline. However, it is increasingly recognised that failing to achieve peak lung function in early adult life is at least as important as smoking in influencing the onset of COPD in later life. Our group aims to define the influences in early childhood on the rate of lung function growth throughout childhood and compare the effects of these factors on lung function decline in adult cohorts. The project is funded by the EU Horizon 2020 scheme and includes partners in the UK, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Iceland and Australia.

For informal enquiries please contact John Henderson 0117 342 8329 or via email: a.j.henderson@bristol.ac.uk.