Doctoral student in epidemiology with a focus on the health effects of tattooing

Description of the workplace

The Epidemiology research group at the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, conducts research on how environmental factors affect human health. The research combines data from national population registers with survey-based data collection. A particular focus area is the health effects of tattoos, in which the research group is internationally leading.

We are now looking for a motivated doctoral student with a strong interest in public health issues for the project “Think before you ink? Tattooing as a risk factor for cancer and immune-mediated diseases.”

The research group is led by Associate Professor Christel Nielsen and is located at Medicon Village in Lund, together with the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Region Skåne. The group is international and consists of members with diverse academic backgrounds and varying levels of experience.

We offer a stimulating work environment with a strong focus on collaboration, communication, and scientific development. Within the group, we foster a positive work environment characterized by respect and inclusiveness, with excellent opportunities for supervision and professional development.

More information about the research group is available here:
https://portal.research.lu.se/sv/organisations/epidemiology/

We offer

Lund University is a public authority, which means that you will benefit from special employment benefits, generous annual leave, and a favorable occupational pension scheme. We offer a flexible work environment in which you, as a doctoral student, have good opportunities to plan and structure your work in dialogue with your supervisors.

Read more about working at Lund University here: Work for us.

Duties and responsibilities

In addition to following the study plan for doctoral education and participating in relevant courses, you will:

• Plan and conduct epidemiological studies based on national register data and survey data
• Process and perform statistical analyses of large datasets
• Participate in data collection within the project’s sub-studies, which may also include involvement in applications to the Swedish Ethical Review Authority and contacts with registry holders
• Contribute to scientific reporting by writing and publishing scientific papers
• Actively participate in seminars and research group meetings and present results in national and international contexts

You are expected to take significant responsibility for your work by:

• Actively contributing to discussions of the project’s scientific results
• Developing and maintaining close collaboration with supervisors and colleagues
• Planning, structuring, and driving your work forward in accordance with your individual study plan

The work is conducted in close collaboration with clinical specialists. The position does not involve work with laboratory animals.

Requirements for the position: 

• A second-cycle (Master’s) degree in public health, epidemiology, medicine, biomedicine, or a related field
• Basic knowledge of epidemiology and/or statistics
• Very good ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing
• Good ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan and prioritize work

Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Additional qualifications (merits):

• Experience of statistical analysis using software such as SAS, R, or Stata
• Experience of register-based research
• Experience working with large datasets
• Experience of scientific writing
• Good command of Swedish, both written and spoken, particularly in relation to work with register data and contacts with authorities

Other

The position is a fixed-term full-time appointment of four years in accordance with Chapter 5, Section 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance, with a desired starting date of 1 October 2026 or as agreed.

Eligibility

To be eligible for third-cycle (doctoral) studies, the applicant must have:

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

Assessment criteria

Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1998:80). Only those admitted to third-cycle studies may be appointed.

Selection will primarily be based on the applicant’s ability to benefit from doctoral education. In addition to pursuing their own doctoral studies, the holder of the position may be required to perform duties related to education, research, and administrative work in accordance with specific provisions in the ordinance.

How to apply

The position is applied for via the university’s recruitment system. The application should include:

• a personal cover letter describing your motivation for applying and how your qualifications are relevant to the position
• a CV
• degree certificate(s) or equivalent documentation
• any other documents you wish to submit (e.g. transcripts, references, letters of recommendation, etc.)