PhD position at Centre for Demographic Studies funded by the TOUCH COFUND project

14 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Centre d'Estudis Demogràfics

Research Field

Demography

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

30 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND

Reference Number

101126533

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Topic: Mental health of dependent people with chronic diseases

A PhD position is available at the Health and Ageing Research Group from the Centre for Demographic Studies under the supervision of Elisenda Rentería and Jeroen Spijker (Demographers). We are looking for a highly motivated candidate that will investigate the mental health status of people living with chronic diseases and disabilities, focusing on how living arrangements and care networks contribute to defining the mental well-being of dependent individuals.

Having a chronic illness or a mobility restriction increases the likelihood of experiencing depression, anxiety, etc. Simultaneously, mental health issues can worsen overall health conditions and lead to chronic physical health issues. Among other factors, household composition and care network availability, as well as the level of social interactions have emerged as fundamental aspects in understanding the individual’s happiness. We anticipate that these factors also apply to people suffering from chronic conditions, also taking special interest in assessing differences in mental health according to sex, age group, socioeconomic status and place of residence (country, CCAA, rural/urban).

To gain an in-depth understanding of the relationship between mental health and chronic diseases or disabilities, it is essential to employ appropriate methodological approaches. This is facilitated by using longitudinal surveys that track individuals over time, such as the Survey of Health and Ageing in Europe (SHARE), that has been biannually following individuals since 2004. SHARE now spans 27 European countries and Israel, with data available for 8 waves and 2 special SHARE-Corona waves (2020 and 2021), designed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on (mental) health, health behaviour, changes in employment and social networks.

In the context of the recent coronavirus pandemic, these surveys will also allow us to explore whether absolute and relative mental health differences changed during this period for dependent people.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Demography doctoral program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH project. TOUCH (“Towards the next generatiOn of excellent yoUng doctoral researchers on mental health by developing an intersectoral & transdisciplinary approaCH”) is a new excellent doctoral programme co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Actions of the European Commission and led by the UAB for the recruitment and training of 24 doctoral candidates in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

The PhD student will join CED’s “Health and Ageing” research group , dedicated to studying the challenges posed by population ageing to the organization of our societies and the well-being of its inhabitants. The importance is not just that people live more years, but that those extra years are lived in good health. The research group also extensively analyses the persistent gender and social inequalities.

The CED is one of the six best population research centres in Europe. It received the “HR Excellence in Research Award” from the European Commission and forms part of the Population Europe network that brings together pioneering demographic research centres to create a lively debate on population issues and disseminate scientific findings. CED also has the highest qualification granted by the Catalan Research Centres institute CERCA. At CED, researchers enjoy a proactive, collaborative and international work environment, aspects that are fundamental for good research practice.

We are looking for candidates with an excellent CV, ahigh degree of ambition and motivation, and with good personal qualities to work in our Team. We offer a 3-year full-time contract (37,5 hours/week) and a gross salary of 2.375 €/month (the salary will be the same for the 3 years).

The candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria from the EC: Mobility rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the deadline for the programme call. Experience rule: researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.

Interested applicants should apply through the TOUCH online platform by submitting a full CV, a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation and academic and English level certificates. The call will be open from the 1st of April to the 30th of June 2024. More information about the TOUCH project, the recruitment process, and the application platform are available on the TOUCH website .

Requirements

Research Field

Demography

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Additional requirements for a stronger application are:

• We encourage applications from students coming from Epidemiology, Public Health, Statistics, Sociology, Economics, or other fields related to Demography.
• Candidates are expected to have knowledge of quantitative methods.
• Good writing skills, basic knowledge of Spanish, experience working with demographic methods and survey data, and related experience or previous work on the proposed subject of study are considered an advantage.
• Applicants should be able to demonstrate a vocation for research and interest in demographic challenges.
• They are required to comply with the academic requirements to access the PhD in Demography program of the UAB which, among others, requires accreditation of 300 ECTS credits.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Centre for Demographic Studies

Country

Spain

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://webs.uab.cat/touch/

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Cerdanyola del Vallés

Website

https://ced.cat/en/

Street

Campus Bellaterra, Edifici Rectorat

Postal Code

08193

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED