Post-Doc in Molecular Epidemiology with a focus on dietary intake, metabolomics, proteomics and genetics in relation to cardiometabolic disease - 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 900 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

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Area of responsibilities/description of the work
The Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, has an opening for one position as a post-doc in the group of Molecular Epidemiology Unit. The Molecular Epidemiology Unit (led by Prof Tove Fall) focuses on causes and consequences of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, identification of predictive biomarkers and lifestyle factors, and novel methods in disease surveillance. The group currently includes several members with thorough training and experience in advanced statistical, epidemiological and bioinformatics methods.  See tovefall.se for more information and recent publications.

The Molecular Epidemiology Unit research group, consisting of about twelve persons is located within the new Epidemiology Hub at Dag Hammarskjölds väg 14B, where about 40 active epidemiologists and statisticians have their work place, enabling collaboration and support in a unique environment. To note, is that no laboratory work is planned within the project. The main statistical software used in the group are Stata and R. We often work in a UNIX-environment. The employee will be able to develop their skills through courses. Moreover, the post-doc will get the opportunity to some extent to develop their own research ideas. Currently a mentorship program is available at the Faculty of Medicine for career guidance of post-docs.

The current work led by Dr Shafqat Ahmad (Principal Investigator) will investigate the role of dietary intake in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disease using omics approaches. The primary work responsibility will be to work with study design, data analysis and manuscripts under supervision of Dr Shafqat Ahmad within the project funded by the EpiHealth. The overall aim of this proposed project is to identify dietary meat intake-associated NMR-metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers and study them in causal association with future cardiometabolic disease risk within the EpiHealth cohort (https://www.epihealth.lu.se/) and other large-scale epidemiological cohorts. The EpiHealth (https://www.epihealth.lu.se/kohort) is a large-scale (n=25,000) prospective population-based cohort where a random sample of men and women (age range 45 to 75 years) from two Swedish cities, Uppsala and Malmö, were recruited. Through using large scale and deeply phenotyped data related to NMR metabolomics, proteome, genetics and dietary meat intake in relation to cardiometabolic disease risk, the current project has the key aspects of precision medicine, so, will hopefully lead to the identification of biomarkers that predict response to dietary intake and has the potential to use in clinical practice in future.

Requirements
The ideal candidate is highly motivated with PhD in a relevant subject (e.g. Biostatistics, Epidemiology for example nutritional and genetic epidemiology, Bioinformatics). The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment and should be awarded within last 3 years. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

Proficiency in written and oral English is a requirement. The applicant must show scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals of high-quality as the first author. Basic understanding of observational epidemiology study designs is a requirement.

The following personal characteristics will be evaluated. The applicant should be stringent in their analysis and have high research ethics. They are well-motivated, proactive, flexible, have a responsible attitude, a logical mind-set, and be able to work independently. The applicant must show ability to document their work properly. The applicant should also be able to share his/her knowledge with colleagues orally and in text.

The applicant should be able to independently conduct analysis in STATA or R.

Additional Qualifications

Knowledge/interest within the following fields is an advantage:

• Multi-layered –omics analysis including proteomics and metabolomics
• Causal inference approaches including Mendelian randomization
• Programming
• Genetic epidemiology including GWAS
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Medicine
• Nutrition

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala, Sweden.

For further information about the position, please contact: Shafqat Ahmad (shafqat.ahmad@medsci.uu.se)

Please submit your application by January 13th 2023, UFV-PA 2022/4578.

The following documents must be submitted with your application and written in English:
1. A brief statement (maximum 1 page) of why you applied to this position and your interests and goals;

2. A full CV, including date of dissertation, title of thesis, previous academic appointments, academic title, current position and teaching experience; proficiency in various software
   3. A full publication lists including selected publications of importance for this position
3. Transcripts of grades from previous education including bachelor, masters and PhD;
4. Other documents that you would like to be considered (for example letters of recommendation).
5. Names and contact information of three references.

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