Postdoctoral research fellow in nutritional epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

At the Nutritional Epidemiology research group, we study the association between dietary habits and disease risk, with a particular focus on carbohydrate quality and sugar consumption. The group is led by Associate Professor Emily Sonestedt and currently consists of three researchers and one PhD student. The research activities are based at the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) in Malmö. Our research aims to understand how dietary factors influence chronic disease risk, especially cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

More information about our research can be found here. As a postdoctoral fellow, you will be part of an engaged and collaborative team. You will work closely with group members and in collaboration with national and international partners.

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.

Description of the project

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will work within the project “Sugar and low-calorie sweeteners – metabolic characterization and cardiometabolic risk”, funded by EpiHealth. The project is conducted in several large population-based cohorts (including SCAPIS and EpiHealth) and combines dietary data, urinary biomarkers, and large-scale metabolomics to generate new insights into the association between dietary sugar and sweeteners and disease risk. You will integrate self-reported dietary data with objective biomarkers to improve exposure assessment and help explain why some individuals develop disease while others remain healthy despite high sugar consumption.

You will join a dynamic research environment with international collaborations and have the opportunity to develop independent research skills while contributing to new knowledge in nutrition and public health. Our working style is collegial, combining independence with strong team support. You will contribute your expertise while developing new skills in nutritional epidemiology, biomarker research, and metabolomics.

Work duties and responsibilities

At Lund University, a postdoctoral position should provide opportunities for scientific and pedagogical qualifications. Primarily, there is scope for qualifications in research, but also for some higher education pedagogy training. Teaching may also be part of the job duties.

As a postdoctoral fellow in the project “Sugar and low-calorie sweeteners – metabolic characterization and cardiometabolic risk”, your main responsibilities will include data management and analysis of large nutrition epidemiological datasets, as well as writing scientific papers for publication in international peer-reviewed journals. The project applies multiple approaches (including metabolomics) to provide novel insights into the links between sugar intake and cardiometabolic risk. Objective urinary biomarkers of sugar intake will also be used. Other tasks within the research group may also be included.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• PhD or equivalent foreign degree within nutrition, epidemiology, or public health. The PhD must be completed no later than the time the employment decision is made
• pedagogical ability
• Strong skills in statistics and experience in data analysis using relevant software (e.g., R or Stata).
• Experience with nutritional epidemiological research
• Excellent ability to communicate in written and spoken English

Meritorious for the position are:

• In order to be employed under this agreement, those who have completed their degree according to the first paragraph of this section no more than three years ago should be considered. When calculating the three-year time frame, starting point is the last application date.
• Good knowledge of carbohydrate quality and cardiometabolic diseases, and experience working with objective dietary biomarkers.
• Experience in handling omics data, preferably metabolomics.
• Ability to work independently, with strong collaborative skills and a structured approach.

The assessment of applicants will be based primarily on their scientific merit and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

We offer

Lund University is a governmental authority, which means you get special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension. We also have a flexible time agreement that creates good conditions for a balance between work and leisure.

Read more on the university's website about being employed at Lund University, Work with us.

About the employment

The employment is limited to a minimum of two years, maximum three years, according to the collective agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher (the Swedish Employers' Association). A postdoctoral position is intended as an initial step in a career and as an opportunity to further deepen and broaden research expertise.

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 diploma, CV or equivalent and anything else you wish to refer to (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.).