PhD Position in Environmental Epidemiology and Reproductive Health

Project Overview
We invite applications for a funded PhD position in a cutting-edge research project examining the impact of maternal exposure to air pollution on male reproductive health. Using advanced geospatial methods, this project explores the effects of air pollution exposure during pregnancy on outcomes such as testicular cancer, genital malformations, and fertility rates in grown-up sons. By developing new causal inference methodologies applied to nationwide registry data, the project aims to create a geographical risk map of Denmark and potentially other regions, providing new insights into the environmental determinants of male reproductive health.

Project Title: Does Air Pollution Affect Male Reproductive Health? – A Spatial-Temporal Analysis

Key Responsibilities
The PhD candidate will:

• Develop and adapt geospatial methodologies to assess maternal air pollution exposure's effect on male reproductive health.
• Conduct causal inference analyses on the risk of testicular cancer, genital malformations, and fertility in sons based on their mothers' pollution exposure during pregnancy.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to interpret findings and contribute to novel methodologies for spatial epidemiology.
• Assist in data management and analysis, publication of findings, and knowledge dissemination through conferences and workshops.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: Master’s degree in epidemiology, environmental health, statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, public health, or a related field.
• Skills: Understanding of statistical modeling. Familiarity towards multivariate covariance generalized linear models ( McGLMs), spatio-temporal analysis, and causal inference techniques. Experience with programming in R or Python is highly desirable.
• Research Experience: Previous experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, or alike environmental health studies is advantageous.
• Language: Proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required.

Supervision and Collaboration
The PhD candidate will work under the supervision of leading experts in environmental health, reproductive epidemiology, and spatial statistics, including Professor Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen (principal supervisor), Professor Jacob Hjelmborg (Co-supervisor) and professor, Torben Sigsgaard. This interdisciplinary team provides an excellent environment for mentorship and collaboration.

Place of work
Based in Odense, the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and biodemography offers an inclusive and international working environment with state-of-the-art facilities as well as a strong tradition for collaboration across departments and faculties, and with other educational institutions.

The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now has more than 27,000 students, almost 20% of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3,800 employees, and 115 different study programmes in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Its main campus is located in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark.

Odense provides family-friendly living conditions with the perfect combination of a historic city centre with an urban feel and yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairy-tale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.

Benefits

• Full funding for three years, including a stipend and research expenses.
• Access to state-of-the-art data, including Denmark's extensive health and environmental registries.
• Opportunities to present research findings at national and international conferences.
• A supportive, collaborative research environment dedicated to addressing pressing environmental health issues.

Contact Information
For questions about the position, please contact Professor, Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen ([email protected], Mobile number: +45 93 50 75 63 or Professor Jacob Hjelmborg, [email protected], +45 65 50 30 75).

Application Process
To apply, please submit the following:

• A cover letter detailing your motivation for this PhD position and relevant experience (max. two pages) (please attach this under box "Application form").
• Detailed Curriculum vitae, including personal contact information
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades.
• The names and complete contact details of at least two referees.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Further information about the PhD-study can be found here.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Deadline for Applications: 1/1-2025. Start date: 1/2-2025 or as soon as possible.

Successful candidates will be asked to send an application to the PhD Secretariat, Faculty of Health Sciences, to be enrolled as PhD students.

The PhD Programme will be carried out in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order)

The terms of employment as a salaried PhD Research Fellow are stated in the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

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

Join us in pioneering research that could transform our understanding of environmental impacts on reproductive health and shape policies for healthier generations!

Living and working in Denmark
Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment.
The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who are considering applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark.

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

Placering: Odense, Denmark