About QIMR Berghofer:

QIMR Berghofer is a world leading medical research institute focussed on Cancer, Infectious Diseases, Mental Health, and Chronic Disorders. Our researchers work closely with scientists, clinicians and other research institutes to translate discoveries into prevention strategies, new diagnostics and better treatments that save lives.

About the lab:
The Cancer and Population Studies Group aims to understand the causes of cancer and how to better prevent and manage cancer. Thus we investigate the roles of environmental and personal factors in the causation of cancer and its precursors, and in cancer prognosis. We collaborate with clinicians, statisticians and behavioural scientists and also with laboratory scientists to better understand the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis and our particular focus is melanoma and other cancers of the skin.

Role Purpose / Responsibilities:
This role will be part of the National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) for the Study of Naevi. This CRE aims to understand changes in melanocytic naevi (moles) on the skin over time, and the influence of body site, skin type and other personal characteristics on these changes.

The CRE is undertaking a 3-year longitudinal study of moles (naevi) in members of the general community .

Baseline, six and 12-months data have already been collected. Participants reported on their skin cancer risk factors, and skin cancer history, and detailed skin imaging has been undertaken, using highly advanced imaging methods, including VECTRA whole body photography, and individual naevus imaging with dermatoscopy.

This postdoc will have access to these extensive data, and the opportunity to undertake innovative statistical analyses of patterns of naevus distribution and how these change as people grow older. The aim of this project is to generate new evidence about how naevi change as people grow older. This is an exciting area as there have been no previous longitudinal studies of this kind before to show the natural history of common naevi in healthy adults.

In this role you will be expected to independently:

• Oversee cleaning and preparation of the data for analyses;
• Conduct descriptive and regression analyses of naevus counts and patterns;
• Perform spatial and temporal analyses of naevus changes;
• Present the results at seminars and scientific meetings;
• Write-up the results for journal articles.

About you:
The successful applicant will possess the following:

Essential:

• Completed PhD in a relevant area- biostatistics, bioinformatics, or epidemiology with strong statistical
  background;
• Ability to work with large and complex datasets;
• Experience in data analysis and write-up;
• Ability to work as part of a team distributed across multiple University, Institute and Hospital sites.

Desirable:

• Image analysis/ spatial statistics experience or interest to learn these techniques;
• Knowledge of epidemiological and public health research methods;
• Knowledge of systematic reviews and evidence synthesis

What we offer:

• Salary Packaging
• Bonus Superannuation
• State of the art facilities
• Stimulating work setting focused on cutting edge medical research
• Supportive/collaborative team environment

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