PhD Fellowship in Infectious Disease Epidemiology - Roskilde University

This PhD project focuses on the use of quantitative methods to evaluate historical and contemporary pandemics and vaccine program impacts.

Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in infectious disease epidemiology from January 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter. The project will be part of the PandemiX Center of Excellence, which is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) and led by professor of epidemiology Lone Simonsen. The PandemiX Center has core strengths in the use of use mathematical and statistical models to study disease dissemination and impact, and to make predictions regarding effect of interventions such as vaccines programs.

The position has two work locations; one at Statens Serum Institut (SSI) where PandemiX has offices, and one at Roskilde University (RUC) where presence is required on Wednesdays and for relevant meetings and/or teaching.

The position as PhD fellow is limited to 3 years when a full-time study.

Description of the PhD project
This PhD project focuses on the use of statistical modeling of epidemic diseases to discover and examine real-word evidence for impact of infectious diseases and effect of vaccines. We will apply a diverse set of research methods to analyze evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic and other relevant public health challenges, including conducting register-based research using contemporary Danish health registry data. The PandemiX Center’s co-location at the Statens Serum Institute (SSI) allows for close collaboration on this project. Among other things, the PhD project will likely focus on the evidence from clinical trials and observational studies that address controversial issues such as Non-specific vaccine effects. It is expected that the candidate briefly describes a project idea in the application; the exact PhD project will be decided later in collaboration with the supervisors.

Doctoral School
You will be enrolled as a PhD fellow at the Doctoral School of Science and Environment, where we teach and research application-oriented and innovative in the science of the real world and in the environment. We work with the fundamentals of science that determines and develops the theories on which science is based. At the Department of Science and Environment at Roskilde University, we teach and conduct research in an innovative and application-oriented manner in real-world science and the environment. Basic and applied research go hand in hand here, and our research generates new knowledge and useful innovation. Read more here: https://ruc.dk/en/department-science-and-environment

Research environment at PandemiX
As this PhD fellow, you will be a part of the PandemiX Center of Excellence. The overall research objective of the Center is to investigate signature features of pathogens with pandemic potential (including historical outbreaks), to better prepare for future pandemics. We strive to make breakthroughs not hitherto possible or attempted, ranging from a profound understanding of how to control transmission in the short run, to how best to secure robust population immunity in decades to come. The PandemiX Center will give rise to a new field, pandemiology, home to a growing cadre of interdisciplinary researchers ready to address the inevitable next pandemic. PandemiX is a Roskilde University (RUC) Center of Excellence, and the Center has offices at Statens Serum Institute (SSI) in Copenhagen. The PandemiX partners include the Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and North Zealand Hospital (NOH).

The work environment at the PandemiX Center is highly interdisciplinary with great scientific and social interactions with many talented researchers. Read more about the PandemiX Center of Excellence here: https://ruc.dk/en/research-centre/pandemix-center

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf)

Qualifications
We are looking for a talented, highly motivated and creative applicant who is interested in quantitative studies of epidemic diseases in human populations. We are looking for someone who is equally interested in the data science aspects of the question (what can one find out from patterns in the many databases that exist), to basic research type of questions in the exciting field of mathematical epidemiology. The successful candidate must be imaginative, enjoy an interdisciplinary workplace, and above all have strong skills in mathematics and be interested in learning about the biological side of Pandemiology.

The candidate must have excellent Danish and English skills, both written and orally, and hold a Master's degree in population health sciences field or similar.

In short, we are looking for:

• Documented experience in work with epidemiological studies and clinical health data
• Documented experience in infectious disease epidemiology
• Curious mind-set and interest in applying quantitative approaches to real life health data
• Strong communication skills, orally and in writing
• Excellent command of Danish and English

Finally, we value initiative and good cooperation and communication skills. We expect you to participate in the daily activities of the PandemiX Center at the Department of Science and Environment and collaborate across disciplines.

Assessment process
In the assessment regarding employment, the following will be considered:

• Relevant Master's degree (or the equivalent according to the Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/transparency-tools/qualifications-frameworks/other-qualifications-frameworks/danish-qf-for-higher-education?set_language=en&cl=en) in mathematics, data science, physics or similar
• Other academic qualifications as described in this job posting.

The assessment will further include:

• Educational competencies and further relevant qualifications
• Grades from Master’s degree or the equivalent
• Quality and relevance of the project description
  • Your project description may not exceed 3 pages (of each 2.400 incl. spaces)
• Quality and relevance of the methodological and theoretical choices
• Consistency and coherence between the project and the choice of method and theory
• Whether the project appears realistic and feasible
• Whether the candidate has adequate qualifications and experiences to carry out the PhD project
• Relevance of the project for the Doctoral School of Science and Environment

More information
For further information about the position please contact PandemiX Center leader and Professor of Professor of Population Health Sciences Lone Simonsen Tel. +45 23 42 95 03 E-mail: gchandlerlonesimoclaudiaburgess@stephens-jackson.dkkim-love.dkday.dkruc.dk.

Terms of employment
The employment is full-time, 37 hours/week. The principal supervisor will be Lone Simonsen, PandemiX Center leader and professor of Professor of Population Health Sciences.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application

To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

• Cover Letter detailing motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project
• PhD project idea with original research idea (max 3 pages, of each 2.400 incl. spaces)
• Curriculum vitae (CV) including information about education, research experience, language skills, and other relevant qualifications.
• Original diplomas for a Master’s degree, and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish.
• Publication list (if applicable).
• Reference letters (if available).

Please submit your application no later than 19th october 2025.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.