Postdoctoral position in Bio Statistics: The Development of Adaptive Interventions to Promote Life-Long Learning

The Department of Statistics at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE), is looking for a Postdoc who can perform high quality statistical research. Apply August 31, 2024, at the latest.

The Department of Statistics has about 30 members of staff and conducts research within the field of statistics and data science, including both method development and empirical research, the latter in collaboration with scientists from other departments. We offer a research environment with access to national and international networks. Our research profile focuses on development of novel statistical methods and software for the analysis of large and complex data sets. Applications include evaluation of labor market measures, health and quality of health care, as well as large-scale achievement tests. For more information, see: www.umu.se/en/usbe/about-us/statistics/.   

We are seeking a candidate for a 3-year position in Bio Statistics to be included in the research initiative "Learning and Brain Plasticity throughout the lifespan", which is one of Umeå University’s prioritized research areas. This project spans a multidisciplinary network of 20 principal investigators across three faculties with Professor Lars Nyberg as the project leader. 

Project description 
Interventions to promote lifelong learning show promising results but are hampered by large individual differences in response. It is evident that we need to rethink the premises of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to better predict who will benefit from which intervention. As a first step in this process we sought to utilize existing prospective cohort studies and intervention data to predict individual factors conducive to lifelong learning trajectories. Examples of such data come from the Betula study, the Västerbotten Intervention Programme (VIP), exercise and cognitive training interventions, and rehabilitation studies.

The candidate will be part of the sub project 'Adaptive Interventions to Promote Life-Long Learning', aimed at leveraging the rich longitudinal databases to better understand how health-promoting lifestyle interventions can promote cognitive abilities in aging. The main task is to develop methods for predicting health outcomes using dynamic and adaptive modeling whilst addressing statistical challenges the analysis pose. This will contribute to constructing individualized, AI-based interventions that can be updated using individual characteristics that may change over time, e.g. motivation, health, and activity. Outputs from this project will include new models and estimation tools, and will inform the design of future interventions to promote life-long learning.

Work description 
An appointment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to provide the employee with an early opportunity to develop independence as a researcher after completing their doctorate and to create conditions for further qualifications. The postdoctoral fellow may, upon agreement and needs at the department, teach up yo 20% of full time at both undergraduate and advanced levels.  The postdoc will be based within the Department of Statistics at USBE and work closely with both the Department of Computer Science and Umeå Center for Functional Brain Imaging (UFBI). The research will also connect with other sub projects in the research initiative.

The position is full time for a duration of three years. Starting date upon agreement, but not later than January 1, 2025.

Qualification requirements 
The candidate is required to have a Ph.D. degree in a relevant area such as (bio)statistics, computational cognitive neuroscience, computer science, or epidemiology, and expertise in computational neuroscience, probabilistic programming, (bio-)statistical analysis. This eligibility requirement must be met at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have completed their doctoral degree no more than three years before the closing date of the application. A candidate who has completed their degree prior to this may be considered if special circumstances exist. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade unions or similar circumstances. 

In ranking qualified applicants, special consideration will be given to experiences in bio-statistical methods development and/or adaptive interventions. The position further requires proficiency in academic written and spoken English. Additionally, the postdoctoral candidate should submit a research plan outlining their research interests in relation to the postdoctoral position.

How to apply 
The application should include:

• A personal letter that summarizes the applicant’s qualifications, competencies and interest in the position, including a description of how your experiences fit for working in the ongoing research project.   
• A research plan (no more than three pages, references excluded) that outlines research interest in relation to the postdoctoral position. The research plan should be written in English. 
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• List of publications and a maximum of three selected publications (including the Ph.D. thesis).  
• Copies of relevant degree certificates and other documentation you wish to include in support of your application.
• The names, with contact details and e-mail addresses, of at least two reference persons.

The application is to be submitted on Umeå University recruitment system no later than August 31, 2024.  

Information
For further information please contact associate professor Maria Josefsson, +46 (0)90 7867099, maria.josefsson@umu.se, associate professor Anders Lundquist, +46 (0)90 7867941, anders.lundquist@umu.se, professor Carl-Johan Boraxbekk, +46 (0)90 7866212, carl-johan.boraxbekk@umu.se, professor Helena Lindgren, +46 (0)90 7867773, helena.lindgren@umu.se.

More about Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE)
As an internationally respected, nationally influential, and regionally rooted part of Umeå University, Umeå School of Business, Economics, and Statistics contributes to societal development through education and research of a high international standard.

Through interplay with surrounding society, we provide education and research that contributes to the understanding, ability, and responsibility of individuals in relation to societal challenges and the importance of sustainable development.

In collaboration with our surrounding society, we provide education and research that contributes to individuals' understanding, ability and responsibility in relation to societal challenges and the importance of sustainable development. We are AACSB-accredited and sustainability certified according to the environmental management standard ISO14001.

The Department of Business Administration, the Department of Economics, the Department of Statistics and The USBE office form USBE, with about 150 employees. About 3800 students follow our programs every year and we offer education from the undergraduate to the doctoral program level in all of our main disciplines – Business Administration, Economics and Statistics.

The Department of Statistics has about 30 members of staff. We conduct research with the field of Statistical Sciences, both method development and empirical research, in collaboration with other sciences.

Read more about USBE here: www.umu.se/en/usbe/ 

We welcome your application!