Applying machine learning and natural language processing for high-fidelity clinical research using UK hospital data Ref: 5217

Supervisors

Professor Angus Jones, University of Exeter (Primary Supervisor)

Dr Andrew McGovern, University of Exeter

Dr John Dennis, University of Exeter

Professor Aline Villacicencio, University of Exeter

Project description:

This fully-funded PhD studentship is a research-intensive programme providing training in cutting-edge data science and machine learning methods applied to large-scale UK electronic health records. The student will conduct independent research, joining Exeter’s world-leading, multi-disciplinary, and highly collaborative clinical diabetes research group (https://sites.exeter.ac.uk/exeterbrc/our-research/diabetes/), and linking with Exeter’s Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The PhD programme will focus on harnessing NHS electronic health records from UK hospitals for research.  UK hospitals are adopting fully electronic patient records for the first time, collecting high-fidelity data on patient journeys in hospital and as outpatients. This provides a major opportunity for new cutting-edge clinical research.

This data science focused PhD offers an exciting opportunity to harness these new hospital records for research into complex and serious medical conditions. Prior to being usable for medical research, it is necessary to develop new techniques for correct identification of clinical phenotypes from these complex data. The project can be shaped to suit the student’s interests, although core aims are:

(a) Applying and combining AI and natural language processing approaches to optimise identification of patient conditions and outcomes

(b) Developing reproducible open-source data processing pipelines to transform raw hospital data into deep phenotyped research-ready datasets

(c) Using diabetes and related conditions to test the accuracy of the approaches and conducting early clinical research using the data

The student will be provided with training and support to work with data initially from the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, one of the first five trusts in England to adopt fully electronic records. They will have the opportunity to attend relevant external training in statistical methods and data science, present findings at major national and international conferences, and write results up for peer-reviewed publication. Patients and the public will be engaged to inform the direction of research throughout.

The student would suit an exceptional person with a BSc or MSc (or equivalent) in a highly quantitative field, interests in data science and applied clinical research, and a strong aptitude for programming and data analysis.

NIHR Exeter BRC Commitment

This Studentship will be nested within the National Institute of Health and Care Research Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR Exeter BRC), hosted by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with the University of Exeter and in collaboration with South West NHS organisations. The first of its kind for the South West peninsula, the Centres fundamental objective is to improve health outcomes for patients and the public by translating scientific breakthroughs into potential new treatments, diagnostics and medical technologies. 

This studentship will provide the opportunity to work with world-leading researchers and have access to state-of-the-art facilities. The NIHR Exeter BRC are committed to developing and nurturing a diverse and rich pipeline of talented researchers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to excel and contribute significantly to the local and national economy via the delivery of high-quality and impactful translational biomedical research. Expertise will be harnessed from across the partnership to deliver the best possible training and career development opportunities, with the student provided the opportunity to be embedded in a rich research culture, with a growing body of early career researchers. 

We are delighted to have already recruited some exceptionally talented researchers at various career stages to our NIHR Exeter BRC, including  Senior Investigator Fellows, Translational Fellows and our first cohort of PhD students who started with us in September 2023 in addition to a second cohort who will start with us in September this year.

Fees and funding

For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £19,237 (in alignment with standard Research Council UK rate) for 3 years full-time, in addition to a Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG). The student will be based at the Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) building at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital site in Exeter, near to the St Lukes Campus.

*Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee and no stipend. International applicants need to be aware that you will have to cover the cost of your student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Timeline 

The closing date for applications is midnight on 6^th January 2025 

Interview panels are anticipated to be held virtually, weeks commencing the 3^rd or 10^th February 2025. 

Intended start date is September 2025.

Contact details 

If you would like to discuss the studentships further, please contact the primary supervisor as stated in the advert. If you have any queries surrounding the application process or the BRC more generally, please contact Dr Sophie Gould (NIHR Exeter BRC Training and Events Manager) at S.L.Gould@exeter.ac.uk.

Entry requirements
Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject area. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate subject area.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the required level as per our guidance at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/pg-research/apply/english/

How to apply

Apply now

How to apply

In the application process, you will be asked to upload several documents.

• CV – all aspects below must be included, if applicable.
• Contact details
• Education history
• Work history
• Work experience (voluntary and/ or paid)
• Professional development and skillset e.g. certification, courses, workshops, conference attendance/ presentations
• Publications and awards
• Letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages)

Please note that your application will be assessed on research ‘potential’ as opposed to research ‘experience’ to allow candidates who have not had the resources or opportunities to have internships or study for a master’s degree to be assessed on equal terms with those who have had these opportunities.

Please use the guiding questions/areas below to structure your letter of application.

• What it is about this particular research area that interests you (e.g. your interest/understanding of the research question, your skills/experience that fit with this project)?
• How will this PhD studentship help you achieve your future career goals?
• Examples of your achievements in research related activities (e.g. undergraduate, internships, masters or postgraduate work experience).
• Example of your achievements in non-research related activities (e.g. outside of academic study).
• Any additional relevant information to support your application. Including, any mitigation factors you wish to make the selection committee aware of for consideration during the assessment of your application e.g. career breaks due to parental leave or periods of illness, reduced time for career progression due to disability or caring responsibilities, or reduced opportunities to career support.

NIHR Exeter BRC recognises that you may be reluctant, or uncomfortable disclosing relevant information that is sensitive. However, you should bear in mind that that we are unable to take into account factors that you do not disclose. Please be assured that information provided by you is sensitive and will be treated confidentially and in line with General Data and Protection Regulations (GDPR).

• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying).
• Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English

Our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Commitment

The NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Clinical Research Facility (CRF) strongly adhere to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) principles. They share a fundamental objective to empower better health outcomes for all patients and the public by translating scientific breakthroughs into potential new treatments, diagnostics and medical technologies.  

We are committed to ensuring that the consideration of EDI is second nature to all members of our experimental medicine and translational research community, fostering a fully inclusive environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and is provided the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Our strategy purposefully shares overarching EDI visions with those of the NIHR, UoE and NHS Trust partners to allow for collaborative working to reach our mutual goals. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underserved within our working community.

Summary