Postdoctoral researcher in epidemiology/statistics

Description of the workplace
The research group Register-based epidemiology at the Department of translational medicine, the faculty of medicine, conducts research on obesity and related metabolic- and lifestyle factors in association with risk of disease and mortality. The research group is headed by Associate professor Tanja Stocks and currently includes another four researchers of different academic levels. The group has a strong focus on epidemiological studies based on large data sources.

The research group has started up the Obesity and Disease Development Sweden (ODDS) study, a national large-scale project. You can read more about the group and the project here. The employment is based in Malmö.

We care about creating a positive, respectful, and stimulating environment. We value communication and collaboration and a workplace that promotes learning and development for all employees. We are also committed to building a safe and positive environment for all employees through mutual respect and tolerance.

We offer
Lund University is a governmental authority, which means that you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favourable occupational pension. Read more on the university's website about being employed at Lund University, Work with us.

Work duties and areas or responsibilities
We are now looking for a driven postdoctoral researcher in epidemiology/statistics for work on the ODDS study. The position entails work on epidemiological studies of various measures of obesity combined with comorbidity, in relation to risk of cancer and mortality investigated in a large database of many Swedish cohorts and national registers. The specific studies of focus for the postdoc will partially depend on the candidate’s skills and experience. The studies will be deeply orientated in statistical and epidemiological methods, therefore, we are looking for an epidemiologist with good statistical knowledge or a statistician with good epidemiological knowledge. The work involves independent work with statistical analyses and writing of scientific articles, and to contribute expertise and collaboration within and outside the research group. The job will include some data cleaning and may also include some supervision and contribution to grant applications. Other work tasks may also occur. 

Qualifications

Requirements for the position:

• A PhD (within the last three years) in epidemiology, statistics, or a related field
• Thorough knowledge in both epidemiology and applied statistics
• High skills in applying statistics in softwares such as Stata or R (these two have higher priority due to current use in the research group)
• High proficiency in English language

Meritorious for the position:

• Experience from working on large-scale epidemiological data
• Experience from work with data from Swedish national registers

Great attention will be paid on the weighted competence in epidemiology and statistics, and on personal suitability for the position. The applicant must be used to independent work whilst also having good collaboration skills.

Eligibility
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. This eligibility requirement needs to be met no later than the time when the employment decision is made, and evidence that this requirement is met needs to have been sent in by this time at the latest. Candidates should have completed their PhD degree no more than three (3) years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. These circumstances refer to leave due to illness, parental leave, clinical work, positions of trust within trade union organizations or other similar circumstances.

Basis for assessment     
At Lund University, employment as a postdoctoral researcher provides opportunities for scientific and pedagogical merit. There is mainly room for merit in research, but also for certain higher education pedagogical training. Teaching may be included in the tasks.

For the employment as a post doctor the following will primarily be taken into account:

• Ability to develop and carry out scientific research of good quality
• Pedagogic capability

Terms of employment
This is a full-time employment limited to 2 years, with a possible extension for up to one additional year. Preliminary start date 2025-02-01 or according to agreement. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral researcher”) between SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated February 1, 2022

How to apply
The position is sought via the university’s recruitment system. Applications must include a personal motivation letter, in which you describe how you meet the qualification requirements and why you are interested in the position. The application must also contain a CV, contact information of two references, a degree certificate (including a grade transcript) and other documents you wish to be considered (e.g. letters of recommendation and list of publications).