16 Jun 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
University of Limerick- Department
School of Medicine, Faculty of Education and Health Science- Research Field
Mathematics » Statistics- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Positions
PhD Positions- Application Deadline
31 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Dublin)- Country
Ireland- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
39- Offer Starting Date
1 Sep 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
PhD Position – Fully Funded (4 Years)
Statistics, Causal Inference and Machine Learning
Developing Novel Methods for Dynamic and Static Treatment Effects Using Electronic Health Records
School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Ireland
Project Title
Statistics and Causal Machine Learning for Dynamic and Static Treatment Effects Using Electronic Health Records
Project Overview
Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD in Statistics, Causal Inference and Machine Learning at the University of Limerick.
The project will develop novel statistical and machine learning methods for estimating causal treatment effects using longitudinal electronic health records and observational healthcare data.
A central challenge in modern health data science is the reliable estimation of treatment effects in the presence of dynamic treatment strategies, time-varying confounding, treatment-effect heterogeneity, and complex longitudinal data structures.
This PhD will focus on methodological innovation in causal inference and statistical learning, with applications to healthcare decision-making, particularly in multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and chronic disease settings.
Research Themes
The project will address methodological developments in areas including:
- Causal inference from observational healthcare data
- Target trial emulation
- Dynamic treatment regimes
- Semiparametric and nonparametric estimation
- Doubly robust and debiased machine learning methods
- Heterogeneous treatment effect estimation
- Longitudinal and survival data analysis (including competing risks)
- Propensity score methods and overlap weighting
- Transportability and generalisability
- Sensitivity analysis and robustness assessment
- Reproducible research and open-source software development
The precise methodological direction will be refined during the PhD in line with emerging developments and the candidate’s interests.
Funding
- Fully funded 4-year structured PhD
- €25,000 annual tax-free stipend
- EU tuition fees covered via waiver
- Conference, training, and workshop support available
- Computing resources provided
- Start date: September 2026
Data Sources
The project will involve analysis of large-scale healthcare datasets, including (subject to access and approval):
- UK Biobank
- Longitudinal electronic health records
- Linked routine healthcare datasets
- Population-based cohort studies
Applications may include medication optimisation, deprescribing strategies, cardiovascular disease prevention, diabetes management, mental health interventions, cancer prevention and screening, and clinical decision support. The primary focus remains methodological innovation in statistics and causal inference.
Training and Research Environment
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary research environment within the School of Medicine at the University of Limerick.
Training will be provided in:
- Modern causal inference and statistical learning
- Semiparametric and high-dimensional statistics
- Longitudinal and survival data analysis
- Scientific computing and reproducible research
- Academic writing and research communication
The candidate will be encouraged and supported to present at international conferences, attend specialist workshops and summer schools, develop open-source software, and publish in leading journals in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, health data science, and medicine.
Supervision
Primary Supervisor
Dr Maurice O’Connell
Associate Professor in Medical Biostatistics
School of Medicine
University of Limerick
Additional methodological and clinical collaborators may contribute to supervision and training throughout the project.
Where to apply
- Website
- https://sites.google.com/site/mauricemartinoconnell/phd-opportunities
Requirements
- Research Field
- Mathematics » Statistics
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Mathematics
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Mathematics » Applied mathematics
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Computer science
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Economics » Econometrics
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Medical sciences » Epidemiology
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Essential requirements:
- Strong quantitative and statistical background
- Experience with statistical programming (preferably R)
- Interest in causal inference and machine learning
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Desirable:
- MSc in a relevant discipline
- Experience with observational or longitudinal data
- Familiarity with causal inference or machine learning methods
- Knowledge of survival analysis
- Interest in reproducible research and open-source development
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Good
Additional Information
Benefits
Funding
- Fully funded 4-year structured PhD
- €25,000 annual tax-free stipend
- EU tuition fees covered via waiver
- Conference, training, and workshop support available
- Computing resources provided
- Start date: September 2026
Eligibility criteria
Candidate Profile
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain before September 2026, a First Class or Upper Second Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a quantitative discipline such as:
- Statistics
- Biostatistics
- Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Econometrics
- Epidemiology
- or a closely related field
Selection process
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit a single PDF containing:
- Cover letter outlining motivation and suitability
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Academic transcripts
- Contact details for at least two academic referees
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Additional comments
Informal Enquiries
Informal enquiries are welcome:
Dr Maurice O’Connell
School of Medicine, University of Limerick
Email: [email protected]
Application Outcome
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Website for additional job details
https://sites.google.com/site/mauricemartinoconnell/phd-opportunities
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- University of Limerick
- Country
- Ireland
- State/Province
- Munster
- City
- Limerick
- Postal Code
- V94 T9PX
- Street
- School of Medicine
- Geofield
Contact
- State/Province
Munster- City
Limerick- Website
https://pure.ul.ie/en/persons/maurice-oconnell/- Street
School of Medicine, University of Limerick- Postal Code
V94 T9PX
[email protected]
STATUS: EXPIRED
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