Postdoc position with focus on analysis of clinical data

Center for Liver Research (FLASH, Fibrosis Fatty Liver and Steatohepatitis Research Centre) in Odense, Denmark is seeking an outstanding postdoc with experience within data analysis, clinical research and grant-writing, and a record of high-impact publications, to work on our linked projects: GALAXY, MicrobLiver, LiverScreen, and DECIDE, four research consortia funded by EU Horizon2020 and Novo Nordisk Foundation.

We can offer a two-year position starting October 1, 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is shared between University of Southern Denmark (18.5 hours) and Odense University Hospital (18.5 hours). The position at the University of Southern Denmark is a postdoc position and the position at Odense University Hospital is as clinical researcher (within STEMM fields).

GALAXY (livergalaxy.eu) and MicrobLiver are highly interdisciplinary collaborations investigating the gut-liver axis and its role in alcohol-related liver disease. The GALAXY project is coordinated by FLASH Center for Liver Research. We have partners throughout Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Greece, specialising in the microbiome, virome, metabolome, genome, proteome, and systems medicine. Center for Liver Research conducted four clinical studies in GALAXY from 2013 to 2021, two prospective cohorts and two randomised controlled trials.

The LiverScreen (liverscreen.eu) and DECIDE projects investigate screening for liver disease in a random general population and at-risk groups, including both baseline screening investigations and follow up visits. The latter will be finalised by mid-2023.

In all four projects, we have collected vast amounts of data on participants, cross-sectional, longitudinal and from electronic patient files and national registries. The data warehouse includes extensive phenotyping, medical history, questionnaires, biochemistry, imaging, histology, and outcome events. Furthermore, we have a large biobank in all projects, with analyses covering several omics platforms: metagenome, metatranscriptome, proteome, lipidome, metabolome, genome, transcriptome.

Expectations of qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated, dedicated, and ambitious scientist who:

• Holds a PhD degree within STEMM fields
• Has at least one first-author publication in a high impact journal
• Has published clinical research manuscripts
• Has experience in performing and interpreting statistical analyses in Stata or R, and have many scalable tools at your disposal, including for visualization, survival analyses, multivariable model building and other statistical analyses.
• Is particularly interested in analysis of longitudinal and survival data, randomized trials, and/or biomarker development and validation.
• Is curious, ambitious, and passionate, and would like to be in the frontline, where research makes a difference and is close to the patients
• Would like to join a team and help support the group, but are also comfortable working independently, exploring own ideas
• Enjoys communicating science, writing papers and exploring new ideas in grant proposals
• Would like to co-supervise pre-graduate and PhD students

FLASH is an internationally recognized elite research center with approximately 25 employees, an annual operational budget of more than 1 million euros, and 10 ongoing clinical studies (https://www.SDU.dk/en/flash). We are 2 professors, 1 postdoc, 7 PhD students, 3 project nurses, a team of clinical research assistants, and our own administrative team (research sites: Krag, Thiele). The center focuses on the development and validation of biomarker tools and interventions against alcohol-related and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. We investigate how comorbidity, genetics, diet, and the microbiome influence liver damage, and we conduct randomized controlled trials to test interventions to attenuate liver fibrosis and disease activity. FLASH publishes 65% of our scientific work with international partners, and is a partner or coordinator in research consortia with a total budget exceeding 33 million euro. Center chief Aleksander Krag is Vice-General-Secretary of the European Associate for the Study of the Liver (EASL). FLASH is affiliated with Odense University Hospital, a 1,200-bed teaching hospital with 10,000 employees, and an uptake area of 1.3 million people (OUH); and to University of Southern Denmark (SDU).

We offer

• A two-year postdoc position in a research center with a highly qualified team of clinical researchers, medical doctors, project nurses, and managerial staff
• A possibility to join the research group and contribute with the data analysis of our clinical observational and intervention cohorts
• The opportunity to expand your own research profile based on your experience and interests, and to write grants for your own funding
• A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc.)
• The support of a well-established administrative team of data managers, center management, senior and young investigators
• Get to work internationally and interdisciplinary
• Be inspired by our basic scientist collaborators at University of Southern Denmark, and in GALAXY, MicrobLiver, LiverScreen and DECIDE.
• Be part of a well-functioning and inspiring workplace which seeks both ambition and fun

Are you interested?

If you want to know more about the position, please contact Professor Maja Thiele ([email protected]) or Center Manager Louise Skovborg Just ([email protected] or +45 2924 1368) or read more about the FLASH - Center for Liver Research at our website: www.SDU.dk/en/flash

Conditions of employment

The successful applicants will be employed 50% at University of Southern Denmark (read more about salary here) and 50% at Odense University Hospital in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Regions and e.g. AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) depending on your educational background.

Assessment

Assessment of applicants will be done in accordance with the current/applicable university recruitment order. Applicants will be assessed by an expert committee, and applicant will be informed of their assessment by the university.

Application

Applications – including the required attachments – must be sent electronically via the below-mentioned link “Apply online". Only online applications will be accepted and assessed. Attached files must be Adobe PDF or Word format. Each field in the application form can contain up to max. 10 MB.

Only applications written in English will be accepted for evaluation.

The application must include (as PDF- or docx-files):

• A Cover letter
• A CV
• A copy of certificates/diplomas including evidence of acquisition of a PhD degree or equivalent
• A complete and numbered list of publications
• The 3 scientific, peer-reviewed publications that the applicant wishes to be included in the assessment of his or her scientific qualifications. (Please note that one PDF or docx file must be attached for each publication).
• A research plan
• A teaching portfolio
• An explanation of other qualifications relevant to the position.

Incomplete applications will not be assessed.

Applications may be shortlisted.

Gender equality, health, safety and emergency management are given high priority at SDU and at the Department of Clinical Research.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Living and Working in Denmark

The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing and accompanying family.

Additional information about working in Denmark can be found at Work in Denmark.