Postdoctoral researcher in Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics in Biomedical Research

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-07431/2021

The School of Medical Sciences is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics, with application in medicine, biomedicine and psychology, for a fixed-term appointment (2 years).

The position is in Medical Sciences, with special focus on Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics.

Medicine, biomedicine and psychology research generate many large datasets with need for integrated analysis, including genetic, sequencing, molecular, clinical, lifestyle and registry data, with mechanistic, diagnostic and prognostic objectives as well as dedicated towards precision medicine and prevention. At Örebro University, several strong research environments in biomedicine and psychology (CVRC, NGBI, CHAMP) generate such data with accelerating pace, regarding both amount of data and their complexity. Their modelling and analysis, “making sense out of data”, is currently a very active research field. Within the national initiative Clinical Genomics (https://www.scilifelab.se/units/clinical-genomics-orebro/ ) we also aim at accelerating application and translation of genomics research for the clinical routine.

The candidate will build and investigate statistical as well as mathematical/mechanistic models of biomedical/molecular processes on various scales, with machine learning methodology, based on dynamical data and connected to large-scale clinical data, molecular data, questionnaire data, and national registry data on chronic pain both from clinical collaboration partners in Örebro, and multimodal pain services in Sweden.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you would join multiple truly transdisciplinary projects, together with  business partners from the Life Science sector, together with a multidisciplinary team of biomedical researchers, statisticians, bioinformaticians, psychologists and medical doctors. The position is hosted by the Functional Bioinformatics group at the School of Medical Sciences.

Örebro University is one of the fastest growing universities in Sweden with 17000 students and 1500 employees, and ranks among the top 500 universities in the world according to Times Higher Education 2019.

The appointment as a postdoctoral researcher is intended to enable persons who have recently been awarded their doctoral degree, to consolidate and develop primarily their research/artistic skills.
You would be responsible for developing, implementing and investigating results from statistical bioinformatics models based on experimental data available within the various collaborating research environments relevant for a variety of mechanisms in inflammation research as well as factors associated with a variety of pain phenotypes. Focus is on integration of various types of data for discovery of multivariate patterns, implementation of mixture models, as well as on using mixed effects modelling towards applications in precision medicine. You will engage in tight discussions for hypothesis development, model specification and adaptation, as well as generation of model predictions, in close collaboration with experimentally working biomedical researchers, psychologists and clinicians. The Statistical Bioinformatics team usually employs scripted analysis based on the R-language.

Eligible for the appointment as postdoctoral researcher are applicants holding a doctoral degree in (bio)statistics, (bio)physics, bioinformatics, computer science, applied statistics, or in related subject areas, with close relation to medical or life sciences and experience in application and development of machine learning algorithms, mixture models and mixed effect models. The doctoral degree should not be older than three years prior to the application deadline. If special grounds exist, persons who have been awarded their doctoral degree prior to that time should also be considered. Such grounds comprise leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, clinical practice, positions of trust in a trade union or other similar circumstances.

General assessment criteria include excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to cooperate as well as the ability and suitability otherwise required to perform the duties well. Particular importance shall be attached to the qualities enabling the candidate to contribute to the future development of both research and education. A demonstrated ability and desire to pursue an academic career is also of importance.

In addition, experience of statistical modelling and data analysis is crucial, preferably with application within the (bio)medical sciences.  Previous research within mixed model analysis in the life sciences is preferred. Programming skills in Statistical Programming (preferably but not limited to R) are of high importance. Since the project will be conducted in close collaborations with other professions and non-academic partners, a cooperative mindset is of great importance. The applicant should also be highly organized, able to meet deadlines, have a clear sense of responsibility and be goal oriented.

The position is a position for a fixed term of two years. The salary depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information, please contact any of Dirk Repsilber, [email protected] , Hugo Hesser,  [email protected] , Allan Sirsjö, [email protected] , Robert Brummer, [email protected] , or Gisela Helenius, [email protected] .

Örebro University actively pursues an equal work environment and values the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• A cover letter, outlining how you believe you can contribute to the continued development of Örebro University with research in Biostatistics and Statistical Bioinformatics
• CV with a relevant description of your overall qualifications and experience
• An account of research qualifications
• Copies of relevant course/degree certificates and references verifying eligibility and criteria met
• Scientific publications for consideration (PDF, max 5).

Only documents written in Swedish, English, Norwegian or Danish can be reviewed.

The application deadline is February 27th 2022. We look forward to receiving your application!

We decline any contact with advertisers or recruitment agencies in the recruitment process.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), Örebro University is required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.