Postdoc in genetics of puberty

The Department of Public Health at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of reproductive and molecular epidemiology as per 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a full-time position for 2 years and 6 months.

As a Postdoc at the Department of Public Health, you will be part of an internationally recognised department, where we work together to promote public health through research into areas that can prevent, treat and alleviate disease. We are involved in broad collaboration both internally and externally. We share our knowledge with citizens, decision-makers, business and industry, practitioners and other researchers – in municipalities, in the regions and both nationally and internationally. The department either contributes to or is responsible for teaching in medicine, public health science, sport science, optometry and nursing. At the Department of Public Health, you will have approx. 200 colleagues, including ninety academic staff members and a corresponding number of PhD students. We work closely with one another across different fields of study and prioritise a healthy work environment. The general tone among colleagues is informal. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here .

About the research project

Supervisors: The postdoc will be jointly supervised by Professor Cecilia Høst Ramlau-Hansen (Department of Public Health), MD, PhD Nis Brix (Department of Clinical Genetics), and Professor Doug Speed (Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University). The project also involves collaborators from the University of Copenhagen (Professors Ruth Loos) and Statens Serum Institut (Bjarke Feenstra).

SMARTbiomed: This position will be funded by the Pioneer Centre for Statistical and computational Methods for Advanced Research to Transform Biomedicine (SMARTbiomed). SMARTbiomed is an international collaboration between Aarhus University, University of Oxford, and University of Copenhagen that aims to advance the development of methods and software for analysis and inference from massive human data, advancing applications in medicine. SMARTbiomed is anchored at the National Centre for Register-based Research (NCRR), Department of Public Health at Aarhus University, and led by Prof. Naomi Wray. You can read more about SMARTbiomed here .

Project description: The postdoc’s research will include a mix of methodological development and applications. The former will involve developing ways to more efficiently perform GWAS of ordinal data (e.g., the Tanner Scale), incorporating information from genetically correlated traits (e.g., age of menarche and voice breaking), and derive a polyproteomic score for pubertal development. The latter will include Mendelian Randomization studies to understand the relationship with pubertal development and disease susceptibility.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc in the Department of Public Health your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

As your supervisors are based at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University and the Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, you are expected to stay approximately half of your time at each place. Both departments are located near each other within the main campus. We expect you to participate in various SMARTbiomed meetings and activities including our annual symposium. Furthermore, we expect that you will spend some time at another SMARTbiomed site .

Your main tasks will consist of i ndependent research of high international quality, including publication.

You will report to the Head of Department Michael Baggesen Klitgaard.

Your competences

• Background in data science, statistical genetics, quantitative genetics, bioinformatics, statistics, computer science, or related fields, with a relevant PhD degree (required).

• Computational expertise analysing large health datasets, electronic health records, e.g. UK Biobank, All-of-Us, or similar sources.

• Experience performing GWAS analyses, e.g. using programs like PLINK, GCTA, LDAK or similar.

• Experience with register-based research.

• As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria .

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Cecilia Ramlau-Hansen, [email protected] , tel.: (+45) 26295715.

Your place of work will be at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in the month of December.

Terms of employment

• Appointment as a postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

• Further information on the appointment procedure can be found in the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities .

• The appointment is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).

• Remuneration is in accordance with the above, and the Salary agreement catalogue for staff at Health .

• The yearly base salary for a fulltime postdoc is between DKK 493.394,35 and DKK 585.322,48 depending on the years of working experience after achieved MSc degree. The base salary includes a position related supplement and pension (18.07 %). Additional supplement(s) for special qualifications can be negotiated. Authorisation supplemement(s) will be granted, if relevant for the position. Your local eligible trade union representative at Aarhus University negotiates your salary on your behalf.

• Researchers recruited from abroad are offered a special researcher tax scheme with a lower tax rate.

• Further information on qualification requirements and job description can be found in the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff

Application

Your application must include the following

• Motivated application

• Curriculum Vitae

• Diploma

• Template for applicant - postdoc

• A list of publications

• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios

• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)

• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)

• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)

• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s Guidelines for applicants .

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here . Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here .

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.