PhD student in Medical Science, focus on Infectious Medicine/Epidemiology

Description of work

The Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University is announcing a PhD position in Dr. Fors Connolly’s research group, a multidisciplinary environment with physicians, statisticians, and epidemiologists. The group has published in journals such as The Lancet, BMJ, and Circulation. The main focus is on viral infections, risk factors for severe disease, and both acute and long-term complications (particularly after SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and Puumala virus).

About the position

This position is part of the project VIRAL BRAIN (Viral Big-data Research on Acute Infectious Neuropsychiatric Complications). You will use extensive Swedish national registry data to examine the risk and timeline for newly onset neuropsychiatric complications (e.g., encephalitis, meningitis, delirium, and acute psychosis) in relation to viral infections, primarily SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. The analytic focus includes:

• Mapping the risk of neurological and/or psychiatric conditions after viral infection.
• Identifying periods of increased risk and when it returns to normal.
• Investigating particularly vulnerable groups based on demographic, socioeconomic, and medical factors.

You will mainly work with advanced epidemiological methods such as self-controlled case series (SCCS) and survival analyses, using Swedish registries (the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the National Board of Health and Welfare, Statistics Sweden, and the Swedish Social Insurance Agency). The position involves close collaboration within the group and with national/international partners. It is time-limited (4–5 years) and may include up to 20% teaching. As a PhD student, you will be admitted to the faculty’s doctoral program and actively participate in courses, seminars, group meetings, and literature discussions. More information about the program is available on the faculty’s website for doctoral studies: Doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine

Work Assignments

• Manage and analyze population-wide data from Swedish national registries.
• Use advanced statistical methods (SCCS, survival analyses).
• Link and structure large datasets (ICD codes, procedure codes, etc.).
• Present results verbally and in writing, nationally and internationally.
• Participate in scientific meetings and publication work.
• Work securely with sensitive data.

Eligibility requirements

Basic Eligibility:

• A degree at the advanced level or equivalent (at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 must be at an advanced level).

Specific Qualifications and Merits Particularly Important for this Position:

• Practical experience handling large Swedish national registers (population-wide data).
• Documented expertise in R or equivalent statistical software.
• Strong experience with SCCS methodology.
• Solid experience with survival analyses.
• A clinical background (medical degree) and a Master’s in Public Health are highly meritorious.
• Strong ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.

Additional merits:

• Previous work with sensitive data in a secure research environment.
• Experience with research on viral infections and neurology/psychiatry.

Significant emphasis will be placed on previous experience with Swedish registry data, clinical experience, and the ability to work cooperatively.

Application

Your application should include:

1. A personal letter (max 1 page) describing how you meet the criteria.
2. A CV focusing on relevant qualifications.
3. Certified copies of diplomas, certificates, and transcripts.
4. Recommendation letters and contact information for two references.

Please submit your application electronically via Varbi in Word or PDF format. The application deadline is XX.

Additional Information

Salary placement is according to the established doctoral student salary scale. Appointment decisions cannot be appealed (Chapter 12, Section 2 of the Higher Education Ordinance). The start date is by agreement.

Contact: Anne-Marie Fors Connolly (anne-marie.fors.connolly@umu.se)