PhD position in environmental epidemiology using target trial emulation at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital

Are you passionate about environmental epidemiology, statistical analyses, and causal inference? Would you be excited to work on an international research project that combines cutting-edge methods, societal impact, and clinical relevance? If so, then this could be the position for you.

The project will evaluate the causal effect of PFAS on key cardiometabolic markers using a novel approach applying principles of randomized clinical trials to observational data, so-called target trial emulation. Moreover, the aim is to build prediction models providing cut-off levels of PFAS to guide clinical care. The project utilizes a large-scale population-based longitudinal cohort, The Copenhagen City Heart Study (Østerbro undersøgelsen), with extensive clinical cardiometabolic data and the possibility to measure more than 15 PFAS in blood sampled at multiple timepoints throughout a period of 24 years. This enables the use of target trial emulation, specifically developed to estimate the causal effects using observational data and offer an exceptional opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in environmental epidemiology that will propel the field forward. The project is fully financed by the International Research Fund Denmark.

The position

As a PhD candidate, you will be responsible for the daily project management of the PhD project in close collaboration with an experienced postdoc and your supervisors. Your responsibilities will include:

• Planning and conducting statistical analyses, including mixture-effects models of PFAS and target trial emulation
• Coordinating logistics related to blood sample retrieval from the biobank and analyses
• Writing and publishing scientific papers (including first authorships) in collaboration with supervisors and other collaborators
• Disseminating research findings at conferences, meetings, and public debates
• Participating in PhD courses
• Supervising interns and engaging in teaching activities 
• Assisting in preparation and submission of funding proposals
• Writing a PhD thesis

We are looking for a candidate with

• A master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics/biostatistics, or a similar academic background, or a medical doctor with epidemiological research skills
• Experience with epidemiological methodology, preferably causal inference / target trial emulation
• Strong ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good interdisciplinary communication skills
• Experience with programming in R, STATA, or SAS will be an advantage
• Experience with management, linkage, and analyses of Danish registry data and administrative databases (e.g., the Danish National Patient Registry) will be an advantage
• Experience with complex statistical analyses (e.g., mixture-effects models, target trial emulation) will be an advantage

Workplace

You will be based in the Environmental Health group at the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s research unit at Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen. The group is headed by Associate Professor Sandra Søgaard Tøttenborg, who will also act as primary supervisor. Postdoc Laura Deen will be co-supervisor and a close collaborator on the daily responsibilities of the project. The research unit offers an exciting and dynamic workplace in an internationally renowned research environment. This collaborative and supportive environment provides great opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across a range of areas. The staff includes a professor, two associate professors, two professors emerita, a statistician, a data manager, four postdocs/researchers, two PhD students, a bio analyst, and seven to ten research assistants, coordinators, or students. In addition, research participation from occupational and environmental physicians from our outpatient clinic ensures that our research remains clinically relevant.

Salary and terms of employment

This full-term position (37 hours per week) is for 3 years. Salary, pension, and other conditions of employment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the University of Copenhagen and employed by the Capital Region of Denmark.  

Starting date: expected to be June 1st, 2024, or as soon as possible.

Application deadline

Please submit your application, CV, and list of publications no later than April 7th, 2024, at 23:59 (CET). We expect to conduct the interviews on April 15th, 2024.

Further information

For a detailed protocol for the project, please email: Vivi.Andersen.01@regionh.dk

Questions about the position can be addressed to Laura.deen@regionh.dk. All applicants will receive feedback on the number of applicants as well as the background and qualifications of the candidate that has been offered the position.

• Fakta

• Arbejdssted
  Bispebjerg og Frederiksberg Hospital
• Kontaktperson
  Vivi Andersen
• Adresse
  Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 København
• Stillingstype
  Forsker
• Speciale
  Administration
• Ansættelsesform
  Tidsbegrænset periode
• Ugentlig arbejdstid
  Fuld tid
• Ansættelsens start
  01-06-2024
• Regionens jobnr.
  255321
• Quick-nr.
  461205
• Indrykningsdato
  21-03-2024
• Ansøgningsfrist
  07-04-2024 (udløbet)