Postdoctoral Researcher in Global Health - University of Copenhagen

Department of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We seek a highly motivated and dynamic postdoctoral researcher with strong skills in epidemiology and statistics for a 4-year position commencing 1st Feb 2026. The researcher will join a new research group focusing on cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) affecting pregnancy, fetal development & women’s health, based at the Global Health Section, Department of Public Health. Our aim is to accelerate research by generating new evidence on the life-course and transgenerational effects within cardiometabolic diseases affecting pregnancy, fetal development and women’s health. The work will be delivered through interdisciplinary cross-departmental collaborations and will also bring together the unique strengths of research environments in India and the University of Oxford, UK. In addition to generating evidence to improve the health of women and babies, we aim to decrease social inequality in health, build capacity, and promote bidirectional knowledge transfer. The research platform, MaatHRI (Maternal and perinatal Health Research collaboration, India, https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/maathri) will be a part of this group, and new projects will build on the successful research pipeline which MaatHRI has established.

The successful candidate will be based in the Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark and will work closely with MaatHRI collaborators and staff in India.

Our research
The research and expertise of the Global Health Section cover a range of interrelated global health challenges and solutions with a strong focus on health equity, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Our research portfolio includes communicable and non-communicable diseases, global mental health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, humanitarian action and disaster studies, as well as health systems and health workforce research. We place significant emphasis on transdisciplinary and inter-sectoral research involving elements of educational-, institutional-, and research-capacity strengthening.

The Section is primarily responsible for two educational programs: a Master of Science in Global Health and a professional Master in Disaster Management, both taught in English. The Section staff also teach and supervise across the Department of Public Health and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The Section is a highly interdisciplinary workplace with great focus on collegiality, teamwork, diversity, and mutual support. Information about the Department and the Global Health Section can be found here.

Your job
The selected candidate will contribute to the research activities of the new CMD group and will work with colleagues in India and the University of Oxford to deliver the research. We strive for research excellence while fostering a positive research culture, inclusion and diversity.

You will contribute to the conceptualization and completion of all research activities in line with the group’s overall vision. Your tasks will include developing research protocols and data collection tools; coordinating with laboratory partners; applying for ethical approvals; analysing quantitative data, and writing papers. You will help prepare funding applications and support project management, including supervising MaatHRI project manager; working with the data manager, and travelling regularly to India to train and supervise field staff. You will have responsibility for co-supervising PhD students, and you will support course facilitation and teaching within the Global Health Section. In addition, you will play an active role in patient and public engagement and involvement, co-creating research projects, and disseminating findings to facility impact.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• PhD in Epidemiology or Public Health, or a related field. You must have obtained the degree or expect to obtain it before the start date of the position.
• Experienced in quantitative and clinical research.
• Experience or writing and contributing to peer-reviewed papers.
• Active interest in maternal and child health, global health and cardiometabolic diseases.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience of writing or contributing to funding applications.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience/knowledge of coordinating research projects in India or another South Asian setting.
• A track record of high-quality peer-reviewed papers as a first author.
• Willingness and ability to travel to India regularly.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

This is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 4 years. The starting date is 1 February 2026.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 40,781.00 DKK/approx. 5,463 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07% to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information please contact Prof Manisha Nair, manisha.nairmichaeladominguezmichellestephens@martin.dktyler.dkwhite-simpson.dksund.ku.dk; www.sund.ku.dk

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. one page).
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 and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do with the expected completion date.
4. List of publications.

Deadline for applications: 5 October 2025, 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 http://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 in week 45, 2025

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.