Postdoc in Environmental Epidemiology

at  Universitt Bern

Period: Fixed-term contract for 1.5 years, starting January 2025.
Place: University of Bern, Switzerland
Apply no later than: 30th September 2024
A fully funded postdoctoral position (1.5 years) is open for an enthusiastic early career researcher to work in the Climate Change and Health research group at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR) of the University of Bern in Bern, Switzerland.
In collaboration with researchers of Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the postdoctoral researcher will conduct research on the project “ARMOUR” on particulate matter (PM) and its effect on human health, funded by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). The project aims to advance knowledge about the toxicity of different PM components and sources to develop target-oriented strategies for source-specific emission reductions and hence better protect human health. In particular, the postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for the quantification of hospitalizations attributed to specific PM sources in Switzerland.
The postdoc research will be based at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) of the University of Bern. ISPM performs research in a range of disciplines relevant to public health. Groups cut across divisions, facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to research in the fields of clinical epidemiology, social and behavioral health, biostatistics, and international and environmental health. The ISPM is highly reputed for its expertise in health effects of environmental exposures, the spread of infectious disease, and the health of vulnerable groups including children and the elderly. The Climate Change and Health Group, led by Prof. Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, addresses the impacts of climate change on health with particular focus on the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies, and quantification of health impacts using novel methods in climate epidemiology.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the design and conduct of the research.
• Clean and analyse large observational databases using standard and advanced statistical methods.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of epidemiologists, statisticians, and air pollution modellers.
• Present own work at international conferences and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate on teaching activities of the team, including co-supervision of students and lead lectures and seminars.
• Participate in the preparation of project funding proposals in collaboration with the group leader.

Qualifications and skills:

• Strong interest in interdisciplinary research in the areas of environmental epidemiology, statistics and air pollution modelling.
• Motivation to work on topics related to environment and health.
• PhD degree in a relevant discipline, including environmental epidemiology, public health, biostatistics and related fields.
• Experience in management of large databases, advanced statistical analysis (i.e., time series analysis) and programming techniques in R.
• Experience in studies on environmental epidemiology, mainly on the effect of air pollution on human health.
• Ability to work efficiently, independently and with interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent knowledge of English, written and spoken.

What we offer:

• An international, interdisciplinary and dynamic academic environment.
• Support for career development and training, including the Public Health Science Course Program of the University of Bern (https://www.medizin.unibe.ch/studies/studyprograms/phscourseprogram/indexeng.html).
• Salary according to the pay scales of the Swiss National Science Foundation.

The post starts in January 2025 and is for 1.5 years (100% FTE), with the possibility of extension to 2.5 years. Please apply no later than: 30.09.2023.
For further information on the position, please contact Ana M. Vicedo-Cabrera, anamaria.vicedo@unibe.ch.
Please send your application in one PDF-file to Natalie Studer, hr.ispm@unibe.ch. Applications must be written in English and include following elements: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, publication list, and two reference letters (preferably one from the PhD supervisor).
www.karriere.unibe.ch
Rechtliche Hinweise

• Lead the design and conduct of the research.
• Clean and analyse large observational databases using standard and advanced statistical methods.
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of epidemiologists, statisticians, and air pollution modellers.
• Present own work at international conferences and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
• Collaborate on teaching activities of the team, including co-supervision of students and lead lectures and seminars.
• Participate in the preparation of project funding proposals in collaboration with the group leader