Postdoctoral fellow in Epidemiology, specialization in Social Epidemiology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and 4,800 faculty and staff. We are characterised by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors - a revolution in genetic engineering that has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other's successes.

Are you interested in knowing more about Umeå University as a workplace read more at: Work with us.

We are looking for you with a strong interest for epidemiological research about social inequalities in health and healthcare!

We welcome applications for a postdoctoral researcher position in epidemiology, specialization in social epidemiology, within the frame of two register-based research projects about inequities in the Swedish health system. The position is located at Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Sweden. The position is for two years, full-time and starting Fall 2022 or as otherwise agreed upon. 

The research will be conducted within two related project examining inequities in the Swedish health system through national register and survey data. The first project concerns intersectional inequities in the health system, and the second inequitable effects of the 2010 Free choice in primary health care reform. More information about the projects can be found here:

https://www.umu.se/en/research/projects/leaving-no-one-behind-intersectional-health-system-equity-in-sweden/

https://www.umu.se/en/research/projects/impact-of-the-free-patient-choice-reform-on-population-health-and-health-inequalities-in-sweden/

The work is chiefly focused on conducting research, independently and in close collaboration with the PIs and other participating researchers, and includes data management of national register and survey data, design ideas for papers within the frame of the projects, conduct advanced statistical analysis, write and publish papers, complementary data requests from existing data sources and participation in grant applications for continued funding. The work can also comprise certain additional work at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, such as teaching, student supervisor and other tasks.

A person who has been awarded a doctorate or a foreign qualification deemed to be the equivalent of a doctorate in Epidemiology, Public Health, Sociology, or other subject areas of relevance for the projects, is eligible for appointment as postdoctoral researcher. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time at which the appointment decision is made. 

The applicant should possess skills to independently manage and perform advanced statistical analyses on large epidemiological databases. The applicants should also possess knowledge and skills of literature, methods and theory of relevance for the projects, such as social epidemiology, health inequalities research, and/or intersectionality research. Good proficiency in oral and written English is a requirement as English is the main working language at the department.

Since appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is a career-development position for junior researchers, we are primarily interested in applicants who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, an applicant who has completed their degree earlier than that may be considered. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, appointments of trust for a trade union organisation or other similar circumstances, and for relevant duties/assignments within the subject area. 

Particular weight is given to documented qualifications demonstrating the scientific competence to independently and in collaboration conduct research, including developing ideas, perform advanced data analysis, and write scientific publications. Other relevant but not compulsory qualifications for the positions include experience of data management and analysis of Swedish register data, skills in Stata or R, knowledge of the Swedish health system, and good Swedish language skills .

Pedagogical qualifications such as completed pedagogical courses, or experience of first- , second- or third-cycle teaching or thesis supervision, are also of relevance.

The appointment is a full-time, fixed-term position for two years in accordance with the terms of contract for fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher, from 1 January 2023 or as otherwise agreed upon. The positions will be located at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.

Additional information can be given by Per E Gustafsson ([email protected]), Associate Professor/Docent at the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.

The application must include:

• A brief description of your research interests and a statement describing why you are interested in the position         CV
• List of publications
• Degree certificate from doctoral studies and other relevant degrees
• Contact details of two reference persons

The application must be written in Swedish or English. The application must be made via our e-recruitment system Varbi and must be received latest 23 October 2022. 

We look forward to receiving your application.