Postdoctoral Researcher in Epidemiology and Public Health

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This position is funded by a donation from the Högbom-Cocozza Research Foundation to support the employment of postdoctoral researchers conducting research in medicine and health.

Work assignments 

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be part of a research programme focused on the prevention of cardiovascular disease, with particular emphasis on the causes and consequences of atherosclerosis. The research is primarily based on data from the national population-based SCAPIS study, which combines advanced imaging of atherosclerosis with extensive information on health behaviours, risk factors, and cardiovascular health in approximately 30,000 middle-aged individuals.

Your main responsibilities will involve epidemiological analyses of SCAPIS data. This includes planning and conducting statistical analyses, interpreting results, and writing scientific articles. You will also contribute to an ongoing SCAPIS substudy of approximately 2,500 participants investigating the importance of health literacy and physical fitness for cardiovascular health and the development of atherosclerosis. There will be good opportunities to develop your own research questions within the research programme and gradually establish an independent research profile.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will principally carry out research. A certain amount of teaching may be part of your duties, up to a maximum of 20% of working hours.

Qualifications

To be qualified to take employment as postdoc, you must have been awarded a doctoral degree or have a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree.  This degree must have been awarded at the latest by the point at which LiU makes its decision to employ you.

It is considered advantageous if your doctoral degree is no older than three years at application deadline for this job. If there are special reasons for having an older doctoral degree – such as taking statutory leave – then these may be taken into consideration.

We are looking for a candidate with a doctoral degree in public health, epidemiology, medical science, or another closely related field relevant to health.

You should have solid experience in quantitative research and statistical analysis, as well as a strong ability to independently process and analyse research data. You should also have excellent scientific communication skills in both spoken and written English. Experience in epidemiological analyses of population-based or longitudinal datasets is considered an advantage. Research experience in cardiovascular health, prevention, health behaviours, or other closely related areas is also considered an advantage.

You are analytical, thorough, and proactive, with a strong ability to plan and conduct research independently. As the work involves close collaboration with other researchers, good interpersonal and teamwork skills are important. Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and suitability for the position.

The workplace

You will work at the Division of Society and Health, an interdisciplinary and internationally competitive research environment with research in areas including public health, social medicine, prevention, health behaviours, and sports medicine. The division brings together researchers with broad expertise and offers excellent opportunities for scientific collaboration and continued academic development. You will be part of the NICE research group, led by Associate Professor Pontus Henriksson. The group includes several postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students conducting research in areas such as epidemiology, prevention, and health behaviours.

The employment

This employment is a temporary contract of three years. The employment is full-time.

Background screening may come to be carried out before any decision on employment is made.

Within the framework of the appointment, the postdoctoral researcher may spend 6–12 months at a higher education institution abroad, funded by the Foundation.

Before the third year of the appointment, the postdoctoral researcher may apply to the Foundation for an independent research grant of approximately SEK 500,000. The grant is intended for a researcher who has the ambition and, in the Foundation’s assessment, the ability to establish an independent research environment.

The starting date will be agreed upon, with commencement during 2027.

Salary and employment benefits

At Linköping University, salaries are set individually and differentiated, in accordance with the applicable collective agreements (RALS/RALS-T) and the university’s salary-setting guidelines.

More information about employee benefits is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button. Your application must be received no later than 30th of November 2026. 

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered. 

Please attach your selected research publications electronically, in pdf or word format, in the application template. Research publications, e.g. monographs, which cannot be sent electronically should be sent in three sets by mail to the University Registrar at Linköping University, University Registrar, S-581 83 Linköping, Sweden. The publications must be received by Linköping University no later than the deadline for application. 

Please note that printed publications will not be returned. They will be archived at Linköping University. 

In the event of a discrepancy between the English translation of the job announcement and the Swedish original, the Swedish version shall take precedent. 

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives – diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody’s equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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