Postdoctoral fellowship in depression and network modelling

The Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense, invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship within the research areas of network modelling, depression, and clinical neuropsychology.

The postdoc position is for 2 years, with a possible 3rd year extension, starting on the 17th of April 2023 or soon thereafter. 

The Department of Psychology is a vibrant, inclusive workplace hosting an engaged group of faculty, postdocs and PhD students. The department has close collaborations with Odense University Hospital, and its research covers a wide range of health-related topics and methodologies.

The position and the project

The focus of the position is on developing models that map how everyday psychological distress symptoms interact through time with a person’s activities, neurocognitive abilities and life events to lead to depression, in both people who have never been depressed before and those currently in recovery from depression.

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with an interest in the area of quantitative methods, bioinformatics, clinical neuropsychology, and network theory of psychopathology.

The candidate should have experience with network modelling and programming. Experience with systematic reviews and meta-analysis is an asset, but not a prerequisite for the position.  

The successful candidate will work on the project “Dynamic network modelling of depression: towards personalised treatment targets” funded by the Lundbeck Foundation. The successful candidate will join a research group with an expertise in clinical psychology, psychiatry, mathematical modelling and statistics, led by Associate Professor Maria Semkovska in a collaboration between the Department of Psychology, Odense University Hospital and the Danish Twin Research Center. The primary place of work will be at the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense.

Required qualifications

•    PhD in neuroscience, computer science, bioinformatics, statistics, epidemiology, psychology, public health, psychiatry or a connected field
•    Excellent research track record, including at least two first-authored peer-reviewed publications relevant to network modelling, network theory and/or network meta-analyses.
•    Fluency in programming as needed for network analyses (e.g., R/python)
•    Strong analytical, organizational, and record-keeping skills
•    Willingness to collaborate with internal and external collaborators as well as support the project’s research group members
•    Interest in teaching
•    Proficiency in spoken and written English

We offer

•    An exciting job
•    The possibility to engage in high-impact, multidisciplinary research
•    A dynamic, diverse and international research environment that values collaboration among colleagues
•    Learning and applying new analytical methods to large data sets
•    An initial contract for two years, with the possibility of extension for another year
•    Flexibility in planning working hours
•    Advanced professional training opportunities
•    Possibility of participation in international conferences
•    For international candidates, support with practical, and social aspects (e.g., housing, researcher taxation etc.) through our international staff office (ISO) (https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/international_staff )
•    For the right candidate, there will be possibilities to influence the project and develop new project ideas within the project frame.

The application must be in English.

For questions regarding the position, please contact Associate Professor Maria Semkovska (msemkovska@health.sdu.dk ). 

Employment

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Apply

Applications must be in English and submitted electronically using the link "Apply online".

The attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb.

We strongly recommend that you read "How to apply" before you apply - see below

Application should include

•    A letter of motivation
•    A curriculum vitae
•    PhD diploma or - for soon to be graduating PhD students – a positive assessment of the PhD thesis defence certificate
•    List of publications indicating the publications attached
•   Three of the most relevant publications

Only applications submitted online and written in English will be accepted for evaluation. 

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. 

Applications may be shortlisted. 

Living and working in Denmark

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary , taxation , housing and accompanying family . 

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Further details

How to apply