PhD position in Public Health (Health Economics)

Description of the workplace
Health economics at Lund University is ranked as the leading research environment in its field in Scandinavia and 9th in Europe. The health economics research group at the Faculty of Medicine is led by Professor Ulf Gerdtham and conducts research primarily in five areas:

1) Public health issues, 2) Incentives and organization in healthcare, 3) Design of healthcare systems in terms of efficiency and equity, 4) Economic evaluations of health interventions and programs 5) Socioeconomic inequality in health and welfare.

The research group contributes to both theoretical and empirical research and uses survey and register data from regional, national, and international databases, as well as experiments. For more information about their research, please visit their website. The position is based in Lund.

Within the research group, we value a good working environment characterized by respect and consideration in our relationships with one another, and we strive to create a workplace that is experienced as stimulating and supportive for all employees. We continuously work to foster conditions that promote job satisfaction, development, and inclusion for everyone. We are committed to both physical safety and a healthy psychosocial work environment.

Doctoral Research Subject                 
Medical Science

Description of the project
This research project addresses the complex challenges involved in caring for older adults. As ageing populations place increasing pressure on health and social care services, there is an urgent need to evaluate sustainable and effective solutions across all levels of elderly care—from municipal serivices to intensive hospital-based services.

This interdisciplinary project focuses on two main areas: the economic evaluation of a preventive health intervention aimed at promoting active and healthy ageing, as well as investigating long-term outcomes among people who have received intensive care, with a particular focus on variations across demografic- and socioeconomic subgroups. In Sweden, older adults, comprise a significant proportion of intensive care patients, making it critical to understand their long-term outcomes in the context of increasing demand.

The research will assess outcomes such as resource use, health effects, quality of life, and productivity loss, using both individual level register data and survey data. The findings from the project are expected to provide valuable evidence to guide policy and optimize care across the continuum for ageing populations.

Work Duties
The main task of the doctoral student is to pursue doctoral education in the field of the economics of aging. The student will develop and lead a research project focusing on health economic evaluation of a preventive health intervention for elderly as well as register based research in the field of intensive care. The work tasks mainly include: Performing econometric analysis of large register-based datasets, conducting health economic evaluation, 
planning and managing the research project, including scientific writing and presenting research findings at seminars and national or international conferences

Other tasks within the research group may also be relevant. The doctoral student will work in a team alongside researchers at the Health Economics Unit at Lund University.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who

• have completed a second-cycle degree.
• completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or
• have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad

Requirements for the position 

• Master’s degree in economics/health economics (min 60 hp).
• the applicant must have English language skills equivalent to at least upper secondary school level (3 years).
• strong ability to be flexible and work independently.
• good ability to collaborate and be a productive part of a team.

Merits for the position

• background or knowledge in ageing or intensive care.
• documented experience in health economic evaluation.
• documented experience in scientific writing, including authorship of scientific publications.
• documented experience in conducting register-based studies and managing large datasets.
• documented experience in survey data collection and analyses.
• proficiency in Stata.
• previous experience working in multidisciplinary research team.

Assessment Criteria and Selection
In accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Ordinance, the selection should primarily be based on an assessment of the applicants' ability to benefit from the education. During admission, it is mainly the applicant's merits from their basic education that can normally be assessed. In this regard, breadth, depth, and relevance, as well as elements of independent work, should be considered.

Terms of Employment
As a doctoral student at Lund University, you are both admitted as a student and employed.
The position is a fixed-term full-time appointment for a total of four years, with a start date as agreed.

As a general rule, employment at Lund University is carried out in Sweden, and you are therefore expected to perform your work on site in Lund.

Further information regarding the regulations for admission and employment as a doctoral student can be found on the faculty's website

What We Offer
Lund University is a public authority, which means you will benefit from special employment advantages, generous vacation entitlements, and a favorable occupational pension scheme. Learn more about working at Lund University on the university’s website.

How to apply
The position is applied for via the university’s recruitment system. The application should include a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how it aligns with your qualifications. The application must also include a CV, degree certificates or equivalent, and any other documents you wish to submit in support of your application (copies of transcripts, contact information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).