We are looking for 6 highly motivated, open-minded, and dynamic researchers for a 3-year PhD-fellowship and a 3/4 year fixed-term Postdoc/Assistant Professor to commence on 1 October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The positions will be primarily at the University of Copenhagen. You will be part of an interdisciplinary research group embedded within the Machine Learning and Global Health Network – a dynamic group spread between the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, the National University of Singapore, and the University of Copenhagen.
Our research
The Machine Learning and Global Health Network is a collaboration between several principal investigators with a passion for studying problems at the interface of statistics, computer science, and biology. Our group produces both high impact work in epidemiology as well as technical innovations in several disciplines.
The positions will be based at the University of Copenhagen in the Section of Epidemiology primarily under Professor Samir Bhatt. Close collaborations will also include Professor Seth Flaxman at the University of Oxford and Oliver Ratmann at Imperial College London. The PhD positions will be co-supervised by Dr Elizaveta Semenova at the University of Oxford, Assistant Professor Swapnil Mishra at the National University of Singapore. There will be the possibility of travel and time spent at the listed other institutions.
There are 6 total positions being offered, and successful applications will be expected to engage in highly collaborative work. We are primarily looking for candidates with a statistical, mathematical or computer science background, but we will also consider any motivated candidates with a strong desire to learn and conduct technical research.
For further information or informal enquires please contact Professor Samir Bhatt: samir.bhatt@sund.ku.dk or s.bhatt@ic.ac.uk
Your job
The 6 positions will range over two primary areas of research:
The first research theme is to investigate novel algorithms in statistical genetics. There is scope for candidates at all levels to shape their own project within the remit of this topic. Broadly, the research will focus on 4 main areas 1) Algorithms to estimate the molecular signature of natural selection in viruses, 2) Algorithms for big data phylogenetics, 3) The theory of branching processes (Crump Mode Jagers or Bellman Harris), 4) Methods for metagenomic analysis (e.g. wastewater sampling).
The second research theme is in deep learning. There is scope for both an enthusiastic student as well as two Assistant Professor/post docs to study a variety of methodological topics. Broadly the research will focus on 1) deep neural networks (CNNs, RNNs, transformers etc) for health data (Danish health data is among the most complete and expansive in the world), 2) deep generative models for spatial statistics, 3) Image processing and computer vision for Landsat satellite images in disease mapping.
Your key tasks as a PhD student:
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
- Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team preferably abroad
- Teach and disseminate your knowledge
- Publish scientific papers
- Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.
Your key tasks as Postdoc/Assistant Professor:
- Supervision of PhD students
- Research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
- Research-based teaching
- Collaborative work within The Machine learning and Global Health Network
- Participation in formal pedagogical training program (only Assistant Professors).
Profile
We are looking for open-minded, creative, and enthusiastic scientists with the following competencies and experience:
- You have a master’s degree (or PhD-degree if you apply for the postdoc/Assistant professorship) in Statistics, Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a closely related field.
- You will have a passion for learning new and challenging things and a desire to apply new techniques to interesting problems
- You are highly experienced in programming or in theoretical mathematics/statistics
- You want to implement technical and novel theory and apply it to impactful real-world problems
- Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
- Excellent English skills written and spoken.
We require documented skills within both theoretical and applied statistics or experience with epidemiological research and a willingness to engage in technical study.
If you are applying for an Assistant Professor position, please be aware of the six overall criteria when applying for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit.
Place of employment
The place of employment is at Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen. Information on the Section of Epidemiology can be found at: https://publichealth.ku.dk/about-the-department/section-epidemiology/
Terms of employment
The employment as Postdoc/Assistant Professor is a full time and fixed-term position for 3 years. Starting date is 1 October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or another relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,600 DKK/approx. 4,780 EUR (April 2022 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.
Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark in the last 10 years.
The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.
The employment as a PhD-student is full time and fixed-term position for 3 years. The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.
General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/
Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 28,300 DKK/Roughly 3,800 EUR (April 2022 level) plus pension.
Questions
For further information please contact Professor Samir Bhatt: Samir.bhatt@sund.ku.dk or s.bhatt@ic.ac.uk
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).
Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:
1. Motivated letter of application (max. two pages). Please clearly indicate what position you are applying for (PhD-fellow/Postdoc/Assistant Professor)
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate (for Postdoc/Assistant professor) and/or b) Master of Science certificate. If you apply for a postdoc position and the PhD is not yet completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
For the PhD position: Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
4. List of publications.
Application deadline: 17 July 2022, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held mid to late August.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.