POSITION DETAILS

Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to January 2028
Closing date: 22nd September 2025
UK and International travel may be required for this role

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE

• MSc in medical statistics (or equivalent qualifications), or relevant technical qualification and considerable relevant experience. Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of more demanding roles will be required demonstrating the conceptual understanding required.
• Knowledge of statistical modelling and Bayesian methods.
• Knowledge of statistical software, particularly R.
• Strong statistical programming skills.
• Understanding of clinical trials.
• An ability to work well both on own initiative and within a team.
• Evidence of good inter-personal communication skills, including the ability to explain statistical concepts to non-statisticians.
• In depth up to date specialist understanding and experience in a relevant scientific, technical or IT specialism.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy.Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
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  Further particulars can be found here
  Informal enquiries to Professor Simon Gates, email: S.Gates@bham.ac.uk
  View our staff values and behaviours here
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ROLE SUMMARY

This post is for a Biostatistician to be the main statistical scientist for a methodological project on improving statistical methods for the design and analysis of clinical trials in paediatric cancer, funded by the UKRI Better Methods, Better Research Programme. This project will focus on the use of ordinal longitudinal outcomes and appropriate statistical modelling, investigating whether use of these methods will improve statistical efficiency, and exploring specification of outcomes and presentation of the results.
The post holder will co-ordinate the project, in collaboration with the investigators, ensuring that its aims are achieved on time and on budget. The project will involve liaison with the project investigators (in Birmingham and other institutions), as well as clinicians and patient representatives. The post holder will also take the lead in presentation and publication of the project’s outputs.
The Biostatistician will have opportunities to collaborate with other members of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit (CRCTU) Biostatistics Group on various projects, and to contribute to teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

MAIN DUTIES

• Be the main scientist for the project investigating statistical methods for paediatric cancer trials, collaborating with the investigators and other members of the CRCTU Biostatistics Group.
• Complete and publish a systematic review of statistical methods in paediatric cancer trials.
• In collaboration with clinicians and patient representatives, design ordinal outcome measures for specific diseases.
• Conduct and report reanalyses of trial data sets.
• Design, perform and report simulation studies to support the reanalyses of real trial data sets.
• Contribute to reports, presentations, and publications of the project’s outputs.
• Develop recommendations for the presentation and communication of results using longitudinal ordinal outcomes.
• Organisation of a training workshop to disseminate methods.
• Collaborate on relevant trial-related methodology projects with researchers in CRCTU and other departments within the University of Birmingham, and in other institutions undertaking related research.
• Provide training for other statisticians (in CRCTU and beyond) in statistical and clinical trial methodology.
• Support the delivery of clinical research in accordance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), the Declaration of Helsinki, applicable legislation (including, but not limited to, the Medicines for Human Use Clinical Trials Regulations, Data Protection Act 1998, Human Tissue Act), the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care, Caldicott principals, and applicable NHS Trust and University policies and procedures, (including, but not limited to the University’s Data Protection Policy, Information Security Policy and Code of Practice for Research) in order to protect the research subject and the quality of each study.
• Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.