Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation,Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CAUSES Clinic, BC Children’s Hospital - A University of British Columbia Partnership
Over the last few years, genetic technologies, and specifically genome-wide DNA sequencing,has emerged as a robust method of identifying mutations that cause hundreds of serious or life-threatening conditions in patients with previously-undiagnosed diseases. By identifying the underlying cause, this technology can provide specific information about what to expect in the future and guide access to targeted therapies that can save the lives or improve the health of people with rare genetic forms of heart, liver, kidney or bone marrow failure, developmental abnormalities, intractable seizures,metabolic diseases, rare cancers, severe adverse drug reactions, or recurrent infections of unknown cause. Although world-class researchers are using this technology in Vancouver, genome-wide sequencing is currently not available as a clinical test for most patients who need it. Economic evaluation is needed to assure equitable and cost-effective access to genomic testing, to fuel further research for better care for patients with serious genetic diseases,and to provide evidence to policy and decision makers regarding healthcare funding for certain diagnoses.
With this increasing need for economic evaluation of emerging genetic technologies and targeted therapies, we are offering a PDF training opportunity through a partnership between the CAUSES Clinic at BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital,and the Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) (www.core.ubc.ca). The CAUSES Clinic is a pilot project to make genome-wide sequencing available to find the cause of unexplained severe diseases in British Columbia families. Its integrated multidisciplinary program will assure equitable and cost-effective access to genomic testing. The University of British Columbia’s Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), located within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, is a multidisciplinary group of researchers with expertise in clinical pharmacy, pharmaco epidemiology, health economics, health services research, program evaluation and health promotion research.
Applicants will have a PhD in epidemiology, health economics, health policy, health ethics/bioethics, human genetics, or a discipline related to the objective of economic evaluation of genetic technologies, with some previous experience and interests in the area. The successful applicant will be responsible for research related to the economic evaluation of the implementation of genome-wide sequencing for the diagnosis of previously undiagnosed rare genetic disorders. With this partnership, the Fellow will have a unique opportunity to be supervised and mentored by leading researchers, clinicians, and policy makers.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Preferred start date is April 2015 but is negotiable. The applicant will be required to provide a rationale and justification for applying for this Fellowship in Economic Evaluation of Genetic Technologies, and outline their specific objectives for the duration of the fellowship. Interested and qualified applicants should send curriculum vitae, a description of your research experience and most significant research accomplishments, a statement of your research interests, and the contact information for three referees via email to:
Ms.Litsa Blanis
Email :litsa.blanis@ubc.ca
Project Manager | Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE)
The University of British Columbia| Vancouver Campus
2405 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3