Postdoctoral position in epidemiology

Do you want to work with epidemiology, supported by competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Do you want an employer who invests in a sustainable workforce and offers safe, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for employment as a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology at Uppsala University.

The Department of Medical Sciences is a large clinical department with approx. 250 employees and over 900 people who are connected via the Academic Hospital. The department has a broad research profile with strong research groups in several areas. The research takes place in close connection with the clinical activities at the Academic Hospital and includes both basic studies on disease causes as well as the development and evaluation of improved diagnostics and new treatment methods. More about the department's activities can be found at www.medsci.uu.se

As a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology, you will work in an interdisciplinary team at Uppsala University with extensive experience in bioinformatics, biostatistics and biochemical analyses. The research group has extensive experience applying AI and machine learning methods to analyze biological data (eg proteins and metabolites) in biological samples from different cohorts. We are now in an expansive phase where we wish to expand our activities by including epidemiological methods and thus reach a new breadth in our research questions. The role of a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology in our research group is a unique opportunity with good development opportunities. We strive for an inclusive work environment and can offer flexible working hours with good benefits regarding holidays, holidays, and health care. For the right candidate, there is also the opportunity to teach their research topic. We look forward to taking a new scientific step and welcome your application for the postdoctoral position in epidemiology.

Duties
The current project will use extensive survey data from the Swedish population cohort EpiHealth (https://www.epihealth.lu.se/en/cohort) linked to national registers, which will also be linked to, for example, genome data and measurements of small molecules, so-called metabolomics, and environmental pollutants to identify previously unknown associations and risk factors. Of particular interest to this project and to our research group, in general, are chronic pain conditions and autoimmune diseases and their emergence.

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will work with an overall interdisciplinary approach for a broad project area. You are expected to work both independently and as part of a team. We work with experienced epidemiologists from whom you will receive guidance in your tasks. Within the research group, you will mainly focus on epidemiological questions, which requires the ability to take initiative and to be able to run projects independently.

Within the project, you will perform efficient large-scale data management with great attention to detail. You will also design and develop statistical analysis plans, including advanced methods in epidemiology. Statistical analyses will then be carried out following the statistical analysis plans. A significant part of the work also consists of preparing reports, writing scientific articles, and presenting results at internal and external meetings.

Requirements
PhD in epidemiology or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a PhD in epidemiology. Depending on the candidate, other subjects for the doctoral degree may also be relevant for the job, such as biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, and public health sciences. The degree must be completed at the latest at the time when the employment decision is made. Primarily, those who have completed their degree no more than three years ago should be considered. When calculating the time frame of three years, the starting point is the application deadline. For special reasons, such a degree may have been completed earlier. Special reasons refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, positions of trust within trade unions, etc.

Additional qualifications

• Experience in epidemiological research.
• Advanced understanding of epidemiological observational studies.
• Ability to independently carry out analyzes in Stata or R.
• Ability to conduct independent research at an advanced level.
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English.
• Good analytical skills.
• Initiative and drive in research and good ability to collaborate.

Great importance will be placed on scientific skills such as research profile, experience, and knowledge, as well as personal qualities such as good collaboration skills, motivation, and independence, as well as how the applicant is judged to have the abilities required for the position through his previous experiences and competencies.

Additional qualifications of merit

• Experience of working with population data linked with registry data.
• Experience in analyzing large amounts of data from different sources.
• Very good programming skills.
• Experience working with applied AI and machine learning methods.
• Good knowledge of spoken and written Swedish.
• Previous experience working with -omics analysis, including proteomics and metabolomics
• Previous experience working with methods of causal inference, including Mendelian randomization
• Previous experience working with GWAS data
• Previous experience working with chronic pain
• Previous experience working with cohort data
• Previous experience of working with longitudinal data
• Previous experience of working with Swedish national register data
• Previous outstanding academic performance

About the employment

The employment is time-limited for two years according to the central collective agreement. The scope is full-time. Entry in December 2024 or by agreement. Location: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Kim Kultima, kim.kultima@medsci.uu.se

Please submit your application by November 19 2024, UFV-PA 2024/3677.

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