Using Routine Data to Improve Perinatal Outcome Surveillance Reporting

About the Project

We invite applications for a PhD project aimed at improving the methods for national perinatal surveillance using real-world healthcare data. This project will use data from the MBRRACE-UK perinatal surveillance programme, which monitors stillbirths and neonatal deaths across the UK, to illustrate and test methodological innovations.

Project Overview

This PhD will focus on developing and evaluating statistical methods for national surveillance of perinatal outcomes, using data from the MBRRACE-UK programme, which monitors stillbirths and neonatal deaths across the UK. While routine healthcare data provides a powerful resource for monitoring clinical outcomes, challenges remain in ensuring that reporting methods are statistically robust, ethically sound, and practically useful.

With this PhD you will:

• Develop and evaluate statistical approaches for outcome reporting, including risk adjustment and benchmarking.
• Address data quality challenges, including missing data and case-mix variation.
• Design methods to visualise and communicate uncertainty in outcome metrics.
• Assess the impact of methodological choices on clinical interpretation and health policy.

A key area of exploration will be risk adjustment, particularly for sociodemographic characteristics such as ethnicity, deprivation, and maternal age. The project will critically assess when and how such adjustments are appropriate, considering both statistical validity and ethical implications. The project will also critically examine the ethical implications of adjusting for sociodemographic factors, exploring how such choices affect equity, accountability, and public trust in reported outcomes.

You will also explore how methodological choices influence interpretation, accountability, and equity in outcome reporting. The student will develop and test methods using real-world data, contributing to improved transparency and fairness in national surveillance.

The student will work closely with the MBRRACE-UK team and have access to high-quality national datasets. The project offers the opportunity to contribute to methodological development with real-world impact on perinatal care and surveillance.

Outputs

The student will produce peer-reviewed publications, contribute to MBRRACE-UK reports, and develop methodological guidance for analysts and policy-makers. There may also be opportunities to create tools or software packages to support clinical care. These outputs will directly inform national efforts to improve the quality and equity of perinatal care.

Candidate Requirements

We are looking for a candidate with:

• A strong background in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Stata, SAS).
• Interest in applied health research and improving clinical outcomes.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in an interdisciplinary team and engaging with clinical and policy stakeholders.

Training and Environment

The successful candidate will join a vibrant research environment with access to training in statistical methods, health data science, and research communication. Opportunities for collaboration with clinicians, policy-makers, and statisticians will be available throughout the project.

Apply at:
https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/research-subjects/school-of-healthcare

PhD entry requirements:https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/entry-reqs

Supervisor contact details:
Prof Bradley Manktelow - brad.manktelow@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Lucy Smith - lucy.smith@leicester.ac.uk
Dr Ruth Matthews - rjm81@leicester.ac.uk