Postdoctoral Researcher in Lifelong Outcomes of Preterm Birth at Clinical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based education to build a more sustainable, smarter, and more humane world. The University of Oulu community has about 17,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations.  

We are now looking for a

Postdoctoral Researcher

to join us at the Clinical Medicine Research Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, in the Lifecourse Medicine and Birth Cohort Research Group. The group studies the effects of early life exposures, in particular preterm or small for gestational age birth, on lifelong health and well-being, using data from Nordic healthcare registers and clinical birth cohort studies in high and low resource settings.

About the job

The job is based on two interrelated projects. NORDCAP (Nordic Children and Adults Born Preterm), funded by Research Council of Finland, studies reproductive and next-generation outcomes in people born preterm or small for gestational age using register data from four Nordic countries, in collaboration with an institution in each country. EU-funded IMPROVE Preterm consortium project uses in part the same data and collaborative framework to compare the short and long term outcomes of different prenatal or neonatal treatments to improve the outcomes of preterm birth. The focus of the IMPROVE Preterm project is to use and develop quasi-experimental methods to allow for comparisons that are not feasible in randomized trials. Both projects may also use data from other sources.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will

• Plan and conduct statistical analyses using and applying lifecourse epidemiology and causal inference methodologies. You will work closely with other research group members and Nordic and other collaborators. Data in other Nordic countries are analysed either by you, using a data secure remote analysis system, or by the local teams according to a detailed analysis plan.
• Take part in data management and other administrative work including cleaning and harmonization of the data.
• Bring your own ideas on how to best answer the research questions and contribute to specifying new research questions to be answered in future studies.
• Take part in other activities of the NORDCAP and IMPROVE Preterm projects.
• Apply for external funding and take part in the applications of the research group.
• Disseminate research findings within scientific community as conference presentations and scientific publications.
• Interact with stakeholders including guideline bodies, operative actors in healthcare and patient or parent organisations.
• While this is predominantly a research position, you may also take part in undergraduate or postgraduate teaching related to your expertise, including supervision of masters or doctoral theses.
• Take part in other activities of the research group and the EU consortium, such as organization of meetings and taking care of meeting minutes.

What we offer?

• The support of a diverse, experienced and enthusiastic research group at the international top of the research area, where you can share your expertise and grow as an expert.
• Wellness benefit ePassi covering sport, culture and well-being. Read more about other staff benefits here.
• Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close ones in settling into Oulu.
• Development and career options of the big organization.
• We have an HR Excellence in Research -quality label which is a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers. 
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working with us.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

In addition to standard research skills at an experienced postdoctoral level, the job requires familiarity with statistical methods in health research and lifecourse epidemiology. The working language of the NORDCAP and IMPROVE teams is English. In order to succeed and enjoy the position, we expect from you: 

• Hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field, including but not limited to health sciences, medicine, psychology, social sciences, statistics or mathematics.
• Be able to show evidence or vision of independent scientific thought and postdoctoral scientific productivity.
• Be familiar with statistical methods in lifecourse epidemiology and be able to learn and apply methods you may not have previously used.
• Have good skills in at least one statistical software and be able to learn and work with colleagues using a different software.
• Have experience, insight and interest in data management as a part of research work
• Have good collaboration and coordination skills and be able to stick to schedules

We also appreciate familiarity on large datasets and register studies and experience on Nordic or other international projects.

Salary

The position is fixed-term from 1^st of August 2025 or as agreed, until 30^th of June 2028.

The salary will be based on the levels OV05-OV06 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities, depending on experience. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). Starting gross salary will be approx. 3600-4800 € per month (before taxes).  A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

How to apply?

Interested? If yes, please apply by 10.6.2025 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Cover letter, stating why you are interested in the position and why you should be selected (maximum 1 page) 

2. CV, following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity

3. Narrative CV, using the given template and information: principles for the assessment of research and researchers at the University of Oulu

4. List of publications, preferably with DOI identifications, following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland, with a separate list of ten most important ones for this application

5. Contact information of 2–4 persons available for recommendation

The eligible applicants fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

We welcome applicants from different backgrounds, such as people of different ages, different genders and members of different language, cultural or minority groups. 

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact Professor Eero Kajantie, +358 50 473 9438, [email protected] or Academy Research Fellow Johanna Metsälä, +358 40 507 8868, [email protected]