Assistant researcher to EPI@LUND - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research group 
The research group of EPI@LUND is run by professor Jonas Brjök and the group seeks answers to urgent social issues by combining modern epidemiological methodology with detailed population data at the individual level, or with genetic/epigenetic data in combination with bioinformatic analyzes. Research in applied causal inference, for example on how registry data can be used to correct for selection bias in population-based cohort studies, is also a central theme for the group. Read more about our resarch here.

The research group has an open and welcomming work environment and we ensure that we take precautions to our physical as well as the organsiational and social work environment. 

We are looking for an assistant resarcher in Epidemiology for work that is linked to a thematic collaborative initiative on improved pandemic preparedness that has received internal funding from Lund University 2021 – 2024. The initiative is a truly interdisciplinary collaboration for research and infrastructure development that involves Lund university, Umeå university, Halmstad university, Region Skåne, Region Halland, Malmö Stad and Helsingborg Stad.

Work tasks 
As assistant researcher, you will conduct research on how epidemiologic surveillance of infectious diseases can be improved using local, regional and national large-scale population data. The data sources will be of various types, including - but not limited to – population and health care registers, mobility and activity data, intelligent monitoring systems and app data. It will be of special interest to investigate the usefulness of novel types of data sources as an extension of the current pandemic toolbox, and to investigate whether the same type of infrastructure can be used for other health crises in society caused by e.g. accidental emissions of environmental pollutants or rapids climate changes. The epidemiologic surveillance will be very broad and include assessment of spatiotemporal patterns of a pandemic, identifying special risk group based on health status, disease history and geosocial characteristics, estimation of level of immunity in the population, assessing the risk of local or more general outbreaks and identifying predictors of vaccine uptake as well as monitoring short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of vaccinations.

The daily research work will include study design and operationalization of research ideas, data extraction, management of large amounts of data, application of state-of-the art epidemiological methods and statistical analyses as well as machine learning methods for more explorative analyses, interpretation of results and scientific writing.

The successful candidate will be be a key person in developing the thematic collaborative initiative further, by conducting significant research within the initiative and by being responsible for the regular maintenance and development of the collaboration between researchers and stakeholders. This could include organizing seminars, workshops, mini-conferences and reach out activities to the stakeholders. Much emphasis will be put on interdisciplinary discussions about the significance of the results with colleagues both inside and outside the research group, as well as with the stakeholders.

There will be opportunities for shorter research visits at other educational institutions nationally or internationally for educational purposes, as well as presentation of scientific results at seminars and conferences, both nationally and internationally. Some teaching activities can be relevant, as well other existing tasks within the research group.

Qualifications
The successful candidate should have

• PhD degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or a closely related subject.
• substantial expertise in epidemiology, including study design and operationalization of research ideas, analytical methods, bias assessment and results interpretation.
• Experience of interdisciplinary collaborations in research or development, is another requirement.
• Good knowledge in the English langauge in both written and spoken communcation

The successful candidate should have documented independence as researcher, be guided by friendliness, approachability, honesty, open-mindedness and tolerance while maintaining personal authenticity, and have excellent communication skills. Wich will be needed when holding scientific presentations, scientific discussions and scientific writing.

Particular merits for the position are:

• Previous research on infectious diseases and epidemiological surveillance, methods development, developing or working with large data infrastructures and data sets from various sources.
• Leadership experience is advantageous.
• Good knowledge of Swedish in speech and writing since the work within in the thematic initiative involves extensive contacts with stakeholders, register owners, the ethics review authority and other national agencies.
• Previous experience of working with population and health data registers in a Swedish or Scandinavian setting is an advantage.
• International experience from epidemiological surveillance systems, and application development for e.g. contact tracing.

Terms and conditions
The position is a premanent position starting 2021-10-01 or upon agreement, a prohibition period of 6 months can be applied. 
The university applies individual salary setting. Feel free to state salary claims in your application