Postdoctoral position in psychology and epidemiology on adverse childhood experiences and high-risk employment

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites candidates for a fully funded postdoctoral position in psychology and epidemiology from May 1st  2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is for 27 months. We invite everyone who holds a relevant PhD-degree or expects to finish it in the near future to apply.

The position and the project

The successful candidate will work on the project “Adverse childhood experiences and high-risk employment” funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Psychology (UCPH), the Danish Veteran Centre, and the Department of Public Health (UCPH). The research group combines expertise within psychology, public health, medicine and statistics.

In this project, we aim to study if and how adverse childhood experiences are related to seeking high-risk employment such as military deployments and police work. Further, we aim to investigate how such adverse childhood experiences are related to mental health problems in adult life, and how this potential association is affected by experiences during military deployment. The project is based on extensive life-course data from the Danish registries including everyone born in Denmark in 1980 or later. Further, survey data from previously deployed military personnel is included.   

Duties and Responsibilities

The successful applicant will work independently with data from the Danish Registries. Main responsibilities include data management and data analyses, as well as manuscript preparation and communication of research results to the scientific community as well as to relevant stakeholders for example in the Danish Defense.

Your Competencies and Opportunities

The candidate must have obtained a PhD degree in epidemiology, psychology,public health, psychiatry or a related field, and must have experience with quantitative analyses of large data sets. Experience with register data management and analyses is an asset, but not a prerequisite. The candidate must be able to work independently under supervision. Collaborative skills and team spirit is in high regards. Strong English skills as well as scientific writing skills are necessary. For the right candidate, there will be ample possibilities to influence the project and develop new project ideas within the project frame.

Place of employment

The Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (https://psychology.ku.dk/ ) is a vibrant, inclusive workplace hosting a large group of faculty, post docs and PhD-students. The research of the department covers a wide range of topics and methodologies, and has an international work environment. The social science campus is located in the inner city of Copenhagen, close to the metro and other means of transportation. The area is tranquil with the Botanical Gardens as backyard, while at the same time; it is quite lively with for example Torvehallerne nearby. Copenhagen is a lovely, vibrant, welcoming city with ample possibilities for active free time.

Strategy of the Faculty of the Social Sciences
The Department of Psychology is part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:

• Engaging partners in the co-creation of knowledge, learning and social change.
• Empowering our students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision, the knowledge and the competences to change society for the better.
• Energising global, European and Danish communities of knowledge by innovating research methodologies and by research findings with impact

For more on the Faculty strategy, see: https://socialsciences.ku.dk/ .

Terms of Employment

The recruitment process
Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here:  https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Researrch, see https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/

International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/

Contact information
For information about the project and the position, please contact PI Associate Professor Karen-Inge Karstoft, [email protected] . Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: [email protected] .Please refer to ID number: 211-1288/22-2I #1

How to apply
Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.  

Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum vitae
• Diploma (master and bachelor)
• Other relevant material

The closing date for applications is 23:59 CET 6 February 2023

Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.