Data analyst for collaborative project on menopause and mental health

We are looking for a data analyst – for example a biostatistician or epidemiologist with strong quantitative skills – to join the Research Unit for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Research at the University of Southern Denmark, starting from August 2026 or later. The position is a 3-year full-time position and part of a large Wellcome Trust–funded international research project.

We are looking for a data analyst – for example a biostatistician or epidemiologist with strong quantitative skills – to join the Research Unit for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Research at the University of Southern Denmark, starting from August 2026 or later. The position is a 3-year full-time position and part of a large Wellcome Trust–funded international research project.

Do you enjoy working with large health datasets and advanced statistical analyses? Would you like to apply your analytical expertise in a research project focused on women’s mental health across the menopausal transition? Then you might be the colleague we are looking for.

This position suits both candidates who primarily enjoy data analysis and methodological work, as well as candidates with a research background who would like to remain engaged in scientific research and publications, but without necessarily pursuing a traditional academic career trajectory.

A central part of the role is to help shape the analytical direction of the project. The successful candidate will work closely with the project investigators to develop and refine analytical strategies and will have the opportunity to contribute methodological ideas that strengthen the scientific rigour of the project. We therefore welcome applicants who enjoy thinking critically about study design, statistical methods, and interpretation of complex health data.

Responsibilities

You will work closely with researchers in Denmark (SDU/OUH), Sweden (Karolinska Institute), the United States (Mount Sinai, Department of Psychiatry), and the UK (lived experience collaborators). These collaborators bring expertise in psychiatric epidemiology, biostatistics, and reproductive mental health.

As a data analyst, you will be responsible for, or contribute to, the following tasks:

• Preparing, managing, and harmonising large-scale cohort and register data from Denmark and coordinating this with collaborators in Sweden
• Conducting statistical analyses of longitudinal health data, including time-to-event analyses and regression modelling
• Working closely with Professor Munk-Olsen and the project team to develop, refine, and implement analytical strategies, including development and validation of prediction models for psychiatric outcomes using cohort and register data
• Contributing to implementation of causal inference approaches, including target trial emulation analyses
• Ensuring transparent and reproducible analytical workflows, including systematic documentation, version control, and well-structured analytical pipelines
• Contributing to scientific manuscripts and other research outputs where relevant

Depending on experience and interests, the successful candidate may also take a leading role in specific analytical components of the project, including development of new analytical approaches or methodological contributions related to prediction modelling, causal inference, or longitudinal data analysis.

Qualifications

We are looking for a colleague who:

• Has strong quantitative skills and experience analysing large population-based health datasets

• Has experience with statistical programming (e.g. R, Python, or similar)

• Has a background in epidemiology, biostatistics, statistics, public health, data science, or a related field

• Has a Master’s degree or PhD Degree

  • If you expect to complete your Master’s degree in June 2026, you are also welcome to apply – just make sure to mention this in your application.

• Is interested in applying quantitative methods to the group’s research on mental health and women’s health

It will be considered a strong advantage if you have experience with e.g.:

• Survival analysis or other time-to-event modelling approaches
• Prediction modelling and model validation
• Causal inference methods or pharmacoepidemiology including target trial emulation

We expect that you:

• Work independently and are comfortable managing complex datasets
• Actively contribute to collaboration within the team
• Enjoy working in interdisciplinary and international research environments
• Have strong analytical and problem-solving skills

The working language of the group is English, while knowledge of Danish is preferrable.

Candidates at different career stages are encouraged to apply. Applicants with more limited experience should be motivated to develop the analytical skills required for the position, and we will support the successful candidate in strengthening their methodological expertise through relevant courses and training opportunities where needed.

About the Research Unit for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Faculty of Health Sciences

The position is based in the Research Unit for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, where we conduct interdisciplinary research combining psychiatric epidemiology, register-based research, and advanced statistical methods to improve understanding and prevention of mental disorders. Our research also includes intervention studies, large-scale randomized controlled trials as well as studies applying qualitative research methods. The unit provides a dynamic and collaborative research environment with researchers from psychiatry, psychology, epidemiology, and public health. We place strong emphasis on collegial collaboration, methodological development, and high-quality research.

The Faculty of Health Sciences (SUND) consists of eight departments whose researchers are leaders in medicine, public health, psychology, sports science, clinical biomechanics, clinical nursing, midwifery science, occupational and physical therapy, as well as audiology. The faculty conducts research for and with society and communicates research results to the public, healthcare professionals, and decision-makers. The faculty also offers a corresponding range of health science programs aimed at educating healthcare professionals at an international level for the healthcare system of the future.

In 2023, most of SUND moved into a newly built, modern faculty building of 50,000 m² in Odense, where research, teaching, and administration are gathered under one roof. The building is made of high-quality materials and is directly connected to the upcoming Odense University Hospital, creating unique opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and functions. The faculty also has activities on the campus in Esbjerg and at the National Institute of Public Health on the campus in Copenhagen

Read more about the Faculty of Health Sciences here.

Contact

If you would like more information about the position, you are welcome to contact Professor Trine Munk-Olsen, tmun@sdu.dk.

Application Process

The application deadline is May 01, 2026, at 23.59 hrs. (CEST). We expect to conduct interviews in week 20 or 21.

Employment starts on August 01, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

It is possible to have regular days working from home, if this is preferable for the candidate.

Salary and Terms of Employment

Your place of employment will be at the Research Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Odense, Hospitalsringen 90, 5260 Odense S.

Employment is in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Academics.

If you are interested in the position, you must submit an application that includes

• a cover letter,
• CV indicating months and years, and
• diplomas

All documents related to the application should not contain CPR numbers – if so, the CPR number must be redacted.

All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. The cover letter and CV must not exceed 5 MB.

Guidance on the application process can be found here.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

About SDU

The University of Southern Denmark exists to create value for and with society. Whether our contribution comes in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education, or learning, we aim to make a positive difference for society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by nurturing talent and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops, and recruits talent. At the same time, we must ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. It is the university’s researchers, teachers, students, leaders, and technical-administrative staff who form the foundation of our success.