Postdoc in Environmental Epidemiology

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 :

What we offer :

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.