Research Assistant in Molecular Epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Medical Sciences is a large clinical institution with more than 250 employees and over 300 additional coworkers connected via the Uppsala University Hospital. The Department of Medical Sciences has a broad research profile with strong research groups in a number of different areas. The research carried out at the department is performed in close connection with the clinical activities at the Uppsala University Hospital, which includes both basic studies on the causes of a variety of illnesses and the development and evaluation of improved diagnostics and new treatment methods. More information about the Department of Medical Sciences can be found at www.medsci.uu.se

The research group Molecular Epidemiology at the Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University is led by Professor Tove Fall. The group integrates information from large population studies with modern molecular measurement methods and epidemiological methods to study how chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease covary with genetic variation, circulating biomarkers such as proteins or metabolites, or phenotype or organ function that can be estimated using imaging diagnostic methods such as ultrasound or MRI. Different lifestyle traits are also studied in the group. In our research, we leverage power provided by combining data from several different sources, including data registries and cohort studies that include analyses of their DNA, circulating proteins and metabolites. Furthermore, we research the association of intestinal microbiota with non-communicable diseases, and more recently we are investigating transmission of SARS-Cov-2 and the relationship between symptoms of COVID-19 and chronic diseases.

Additional information about the Molecular epidemiology/Fall research group can be found via: https://www.medsci.uu.se/research/molecular-epidemiology/

Project description: In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are actively involved in the COVID Symptom Study Sweden (CSSS), an app-based study to track the spread of SARS-Cov-2, the virus causing the disease COVID-19 in Sweden and research the symptoms and risk factors for developing severe illness from COVID-19. The study aims to identify high risk areas in Sweden, and understand which groups who are most at risk and which symptoms are linked to health conditions. Additional information about the study can be found via: https://www.covid19app.lu.se/  

We seek a highly motivated, detail-oriented research assistant with an interest in epidemiology and research in infectious diseases to assist in data management and development within the dynamic CSSS project.

Duties description: The duties include assisting ongoing work with data management of large files with millions of rows of data, and includes but is not limited to data cleaning, reformatting, and documentation of the data management process. Data management activities occur on secure servers at Uppsala University. Duties also include detailed note-taking during Zoom meetings, which typically occur on a daily basis, with international and Swedish collaborators to stay on top of the development within the project. The successful applicant will also work with spatial data to produce maps of results. Preparation of presentations will also be expected.

Qualifications: Master's degree in epidemiology or biostatistics. Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Experience with epidemiological analysis methods or biostatistics and applications to infectious diseases. Good working skills in programming/scripting, especially in R, and conduct analysis in R and SPSS, SAS and/or Stata. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and in a group are expected. Ability to work methodically and carefully documenting the workflow.

Merits: Experience within the following areas are of merit: Epidemiology research and mathematical modelling of infectious diseases. Working in clinical trials and data from clinical trials. Analysis of time series or spatial data. Programming in bash and implementing version control systems, e.g. Git or SVN. Experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals as the first author.

Application: The application, preferably written in English, includes:

Letter of interest describing yourself, your research interests and motivation of why you want to be a research assistant in the research group, and why you are suitable for the position (max 2 pages) Curriculum vitae Publication list Copy of your master degree, course grades and master thesis Names and contact information for two reference persons

Salary: Individual pay.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Type of employment: Temporary employment of 1 year with possible opportunity for extension.

Scope of employment: 100 %.

For further information about the position please contact: Tove Fall, tove.fall@medsci.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 25 September, 2020, UFV-PA 2020/3046.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.