Available
Project number:
2025_07
Start date:
October 2025
Project themes:
Main supervisor:
Professor of Practice in Biostatistics
Co-supervisor:
Dr Giouliana Kadra
Additional Information:
Developing and applying novel propensity scoring approaches for target trial emulations using electronic health records (EHRs)
Background:
Routinely collected clinical data provide a powerful resource for evaluating interventions for real-world patient populations because they are large, naturalistic resources; however, internal validity is frequently impacted by confounding. Hernan and colleagues have proposed a trial emulation framework which mimics a target trial using observational data. In this context propensity scoring approaches are often used to handle multiple confounders.
Novelty & Importance:
Propensity scoring is not a single method and applied researchers find that there are many questions that need answering in practice. This project aims to provide clarity and guidance on using propensity scoring for trial emulation with observational data. To this end a tool will be developed that can be applied across different types of EHR data, advancing methodological capability and supporting decision-making for trial emulations.
Aims & Objectives:
To develop a decision support tool for principled propensity scoring in target trial emulation using EHRs
To develop software tools to enable propensity scoring in practice, e.g. create wrappers to convert software output into clinically meaningful effect size estimates
To develop exemplar target trial emulation studies using the Maudsley’s Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) EHR data resource
The Maudsley’s CRIS platform has supported extensive research since 2008 by allowing access to de-identified mental health EHRs on over 500,000 cases from a diverse south London geographic catchment of 1.3m residents. Case studies might include antipsychotic polypharmacy and/or lithium discontinuation in late life, but these will be informed by both a review and patient/carer input.
References:
Scola G., Chis-Ster A., Bean D., Pareek N., Emsley E. & Landau S. (2023) Implementation of the trial emulation approach in medical research: a scoping review, BMC Medical Research Methodology 23: 186; DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-02000-9
Kadra G, Stewart R, Shetty H, MacCabe JH, Chang CK, Kesserwani J, et al. (2017) Antipsychotic polypharmacy prescribing and risk of hospital readmission. Psychopharmacology 235: 281–289. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4767-6
We are now accepting applications for 1 October 2025
How to apply
Candidates should possess or be expected to achieve a 1st or upper 2nd class degree in a relevant subject including the biosciences, computer science, mathematics, statistics, data science, chemistry, physics, and be enthusiastic about combining their expertise with other disciplines in the field of healthcare.
Important information for International Students:
It is the responsibility of the student to apply for their Student Visa. Please note that the EPSRC DRIVE-Health studentship does not cover the visa application fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) required for access to the National Health Service. The IHS is mandatory for anyone entering the UK on a Student Visa and is currently £776 per year for each year of study. Further detail can be found under the International Students tab below.
Next Steps
- Applications submitted by the closing date of Thursday 6 February 2025 will be considered by the CDT. We will contact shortlisted applicants with information about this part of the recruitment process.
- Candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Interviews are projected to take place in April 2025.
- Project selection will be through a panel interview chaired by either Professor Richard Dobson and Professor Vasa Curcin (CDT Directors) followed by informal discussion with prospective supervisors.
- If you have any questions related to the specific project you are applying for, please contact the main supervisor of the project directly.
For any other questions about the recruitment process, please email us at