Postdoctoral position in epidemiology - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department for Public Health and Clinical Medicine is currently seeking to hire a postdoctoral researcher for work in the field of epidemiology. This is a full-time position with a duration of three years, set to commence on April 1, 2024. The research work will be conducted as part of the EU-project RE-MEND (Building Resilience against Mental Illness during Endocrine-Sensitive Life Stages), which is a recently initiated research project supported by substantial funding from Horizon Europe. This project brings together a consortium of 16 universities to address these critical issues.

Description of the project

RE-MEND (Building Resilience against Mental Illness during Endocrine-Sensitive Life Stages) is an ambitious and recently initiated research project, backed by substantial multimillion-euro funding through Horizon Europe. This extensive initiative unites researchers from 16 different universities in a collective endeavor.

The primary goal of RE-MEND is to enhance our comprehension of the intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors in shaping an individual's psychological well-being. It is widely recognized that we must transition from a model of mental illness treatment to one of prevention. To make this shift effectively, we must first grasp the underlying reasons and timing of mental health challenges, recognizing that certain life stages are more susceptible than others. During these critical periods, characterized by heightened hormonal activity, some individuals are more vulnerable to mental illness.

Within the framework of RE-MEND, our research focuses on the mental health aspects associated with four specific life stages: early life, puberty, the perinatal period, and the aging process. By studying these life stages, RE-MEND aims to shed light on how an individual's genetic predisposition and surrounding environment collaboratively determine their susceptibility to mental illness.

At Umeå University, our role within the RE-MEND project is centered on the aging process, utilizing the valuable Betula cohort as a key resource for our investigations.

https://www.umu.se/en/research/projects/betula---aging-memory-and-dementia/

Work responsibilities

To examine the interplay of various factors, including genetics and environmental influences, to understand susceptibility to mental illness during the aging process. To achieve this, the applicant will need expertise in advanced statistical methodologies and handling complex data and extensive data-sets.

Eligibility

• A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in the subject epidemiology is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made.
• Expertise in statistical analysis and handling complex data and large data-sets and experience in environmental epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology or toxicology is a requirement.
• Great importance will be placed on personal suitability.

Additional useful qualifications

Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area.
Previous experience from biobank and registry-based research is considered a major strength. Preference will be given to candidates with superior analytic and communication skills.

More information about the position

The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for three years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher from 1 February 2022.

Application

The application must include:

• A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position.
• CV
• List of publications
• Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest 15 December 2023.

We look forward to receiving your application!