Summary
The University of Oulu is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Medical Statistics to join the Research Unit for Population Health (PoPH) within the Faculty of Medicine. This position is part of the Health Dimensions research initiative, funded by the Research Council of Finland, which aims to prevent chronic diseases and multimorbidity by understanding lifelong molecular, physiological, environmental, behavioral, and societal mechanisms. The successful candidate will contribute to building and evaluating machine learning models for multiple chronic diseases using real-world data and cohort studies.
Designation
Postdoctoral Researcher
Research Area
- Medical Statistics
- Health Data Science
- Machine Learning for Chronic Diseases
- Longitudinal Modelling
- Population Health
Location
Oulu, Finland
Eligibility/Qualification
Required Qualifications:
- A doctoral degree in health data science, bioinformatics, statistics, computer science, or a closely related discipline, completed by the end of the application period and no longer than 10 years prior.
- Experience utilizing, evaluating, and developing machine learning methods, with strong analytical and programming skills (e.g., R or Python).
- Experience undertaking accurate, reproducible data preparation and analysis.
- A track record of peer-reviewed research articles, research software, and/or datasets.
- Ability to organize competing priorities and deliver accurate, high-quality work to an agreed timetable.
- Ability to work independently and take responsibility for planning and delivering tasks.
- A collaborative and inclusive approach to interdisciplinary teamwork.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Appreciated Qualifications:
- Excellent written and spoken Finnish.
- Familiarity with research computing, virtual server solutions, and software development.
- Ability to communicate technical or clinical research concepts clearly to academic and non-academic audiences.
Job Description
The Postdoctoral Researcher will join a research group focused on longitudinal models of multiple chronic diseases across the life course. Key responsibilities include:
- Extracting, linking, cleaning, and managing data from administrative health and healthcare data and other relevant sources.
- Designing reproducible studies and evaluating models using appropriate analytical methods.
- Building and evaluating reproducible longitudinal models and research software.
- Writing scientific articles and contributing to articles led by other members of a multidisciplinary team.
- Presenting research findings in scientific meetings at the unit, university, and externally.
- Contributing to information governance documentation, project reporting, stakeholder meetings, and funding applications.
What the University Offers:
- Support from a highly experienced and enthusiastic research team.
- Career development and learning opportunities in a multidisciplinary, international university setting.
- Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance.
- Occupational healthcare and social staff benefits.
- A fixed-term position with an anticipated start date of November 1, 2026, and an expected end date of August 31, 2028.
- Salary based on levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff at Finnish universities, with a starting gross salary of approximately 3900-4200 € per calendar month, plus a personal performance component (up to 50%).
- A trial period of 6 months.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the University of Oulu’s online recruitment system, Varbi. The application should be written in English and include the following documents, adhering to page limits:
- Cover letter (maximum 1 page): Include details of how the position fits with your experience in data analysis, career development, scientific interests, and a proposed starting date.
- CV (maximum 2 pages).
- List of publications (do not attach copies of manuscripts).
- Contact details of 2-3 referees, at least one of whom must be your previous line manager/research supervisor.
- Copies of your Master’s degree and PhD certificates. If degrees are not from an English or Finnish speaking institution, provide a translation of any documents.
Interviews (in-person or remotely) will be held in October 2026.
Last Date for Apply
September 30, 2026 (23:59 Finnish time)
