Postdoctoral researcher for register-based studies on environmental risk factors for autoimmune diseases

Do you enjoy working with large register-based datasets? Can you take ownership of a research project and drive it forward? Then this could be the position for you. We are offering an exciting two-year research position investigating how environmental and occupational exposures may influence the risk of developing autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and systemic sclerosis. Using quantitative epidemiological analyses of nationwide register data, the project will generate high-quality evidence to support guidance for workers and help prioritise preventive efforts.

Help us explore the links between environmental exposures and autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases can have major consequences for those affected, yet we still know surprisingly little about why they develop. In this project, we investigate how exposures in the general and occupational environment may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases.

The position is based in the Chemical Working Environment research group at the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), where we conduct both experimental and epidemiological research. The group also collaborates closely with epidemiologists working within the field of the psychosocial work environment.

More specifically, you will contribute to the EU-funded EXPOSIM project (Environmental stressors as causal determinants for immune-mediated diseases – mapping and prioritising evidence for knowledge-based policy-making), investigating autoimmune diseases in relation to environmental and occupational exposures, including exposures assessed through job-exposure matrices and air pollution models. The research is based on quantitative epidemiological analyses of nationwide register data combined with modelled data on air and noise pollution (www.exposim.eu).

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Planning and conducting quantitative epidemiological analyses using nationwide register data
• Publishing research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Communicating results to researchers, public authorities, social partners and a broad range of other stakeholders
• Taking responsibility for the day-to-day management and progress of the project
• Contributing to research proposals and, where relevant, supporting other projects within the research group

The project is led by Karin Sørig Hougaard, Senior Researcher and Adjunct Professor, who has more than 25 years of experience in toxicology and in both experimental and epidemiological research. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Bispebjerg Hospital.

Become our new colleague

We expect you to:

• Hold a PhD in public health, medicine, psychology, sociology, statistics or a related field
• Have strong written and oral communication skills in English; Danish is an advantage but not a requirement
• Have experience publishing scientific papers in English
• Have documented experience with epidemiological research questions and methods
• Be able to work independently and approach your work with care and attention to detail
• Enjoy contributing both independently and as part of a collaborative research team

It would be an advantage if you:

• Have a strong interest in and good knowledge of statistics and statistical software such as SAS, R, Python or similar
• Have experience working with register-based research or other large datasets
• Have experience with research on air pollution

Salary and terms of employment

The position is full-time and fixed-term for two years. We would like the successful candidate to start as soon as possible.

You will be employed in accordance with the Danish collective agreement for academics employed by the state and the applicable agreement on the job structure for scientific staff with research responsibilities at government research institutions.

Questions and application

Would you like to know more about the position? Please contact Head of Research Niclas Raun Jacobsen on +45 39 16 52 79 or Senior Researcher Karin Sørig Hougaard on +45 39 16 52 17.

For questions regarding salary and terms of employment, please contact Rikke Dahl Ledertoug, HR, Danish Ministry of Employment, at rdl@bm.dk or +45 72 20 52 57.

We encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of age, gender, disability, religion or ethnic background.

We have chosen to simplify the application process. Therefore, you only need to submit a motivated CV. This means that, at the beginning of your CV, you should briefly describe your motivation for applying for the position and how your skills match the tasks and responsibilities of the role. You do not need to submit a separate cover letter.

Please submit your motivated CV and examination certificates no later than September 14th, 2026.

Applications may be submitted in either Danish or English.