PhD fellowship in The Computational and Mathematical Global Health Group at the Department of Public Health

We are offering a PhD fellowship in Epidemiology commencing July 1st or as soon as possible hereafter.

Our group and research

The Section of Epidemiology actively contributes to advancing theoretical epidemiology, with a particular emphasis on causal inference, complexity, and life course epidemiology. Our research explores the dynamic interactions among genes, the environment, and health throughout the life course and across generations. As a PhD student, you would become a member of The Computational and Mathematical Global Health Group, co-led by Professor Samir Bhatt and Associate Professor David Duchene, located at the Section of Epidemiology at University of Copenhagen. We are a world-leading group that focuses on a diverse range of topics. We research at the interface of computer science, mathematics, biology, and epidemiology. The PhD position will involve collaboration with the Globe Institute and University of Sydney, Australia.

Project Description

The PhD project will focus on comparative analysis of immune systems across a broad range of animal taxa, and on the link of immune system evolution with epidemiological phylodynamics. In particular, we wish to gain a better understanding of the interactions between pathogen phylodynamics and molecular rates in pathogens and hosts. Reconstructing processes in molecular evolution and epidemiology from molecular data relies on large hierarchies of models and handling external time ‘calibrations’, involving multiple modelling layers and possible sources of bias. This project therefore also aims to verify model performance via extensive simulations and empirical data analyses, as well as the implementation of novel statistical approaches being developed locally. Therefore, the student will work at the interface of mathematics, statistics, computer science and epidemiology.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor David Duchene, Department of Public Health, [email protected]

Co-supervisors are Professor Samir Bhatt, Department of Public Health, [email protected] or [email protected] and Professor Simon Ho, University of Sydney, Australia.

Start: July 1st 2024

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision.
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points.
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge.
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

We seek a scientist who is highly motivated and enthusiastic, possessing the following competencies and experience:

• You have a master’s degree in statistics or computer science and have a strong knowledge of probability theory. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).
• An interest in working in both the fields of mathematics and evolutionary biology.
• Experience in mathematical modelling of biological systems from a theoretical and practical point of view.
• Good programming skills in languages such as Python or R.
• A curious mind-set with a strong interest in both the mathematical and biological sides of the project.
• Previous publications would be considered a plus.
• Excellent language skills in written and spoken English.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment

The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is 1st May 2024.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s success - full enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension, and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 27,800 DKK/Roughly 3,700 EUR (October 2021 level) plus pension.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 8 April 2024, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills, and other requirements listed in the advertisement. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held end April og start March.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.