The posting
The Department of Public Health at University of Copenhagen, Denmark, together with the The Pioneer Centre for SMARTBiomeds offers a Postdoctoral Fellowship position in causal inference with special focus on continuous-time causal inference, identification, and instrumental variables methods.
The anticipated hiring date is March 1, 2027, or as soon as possible hereafter.
About the Centre
The Pioneer Centre for Statistical and Computational Methods for Advanced Research to Transform Biomedicine (SMARTBiomed) will support a critical mass of researchers who focus on method and software development for analysis and inference from massive human data, advancing applications in medicine. The Pioneer Centre for SMARTBiomed will leverage large-scale, multimodal biomedical data combined with focused innovation in statistical and computational methods including machine learning to advance our understanding, treatment, and prevention of human disease.
About the Section of Biostatistics The Section of Biostatistics carries out independent research in biostatistical applications and methods; it undertakes teaching of students at various educations, undergraduate as well as postgraduate, and it offers biostatistical advice to staff and students in all disciplines of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The section is internationally renowned for a high research level, especially within time-to-event analysis, while other competence areas include e.g. causal inference, latent variable modelling and prediction models. The section aims to maintain a strong position in these areas but also wants to expand into new areas of biostatistical research. The underlying idea is to produce high-level methodological research that is relevant in practical applications.
More information on the Section of Biostatistics can be found at: https://biostat.ku.dk/.
Job Description We invite highly qualified, thorough, and motivated applicants to apply for a postdoctoral position in causal inference and statistical methodology. The successful candidate will conduct methodological research at the intersection of causal inference, event-history analysis, statistical machine learning, and semiparametric theory. Research will focus on the development of statistical methods for longitudinal and time-to-event data, with particular emphasis on continuously monitored data, dynamic treatment strategies, identification, and instrumental variable methods. Potential research directions include:
- causal inference for survival and competing risks outcomes
- continuous-time longitudinal causal models
- semiparametric and machine-learning-based estimation methods
- identification and estimation under instrumental variable assumptions
- methods for treatment switching, treatment discontinuation, and dynamic treatment interventions
- development of efficient and robust estimators for causal effects under complex longitudinal data structures
Example projects include the development of methods for causal inference with continuously observed treatment processes, incorporation of instrumental variables into survival analysis, and machine-learning-based estimation procedures for time-varying treatment effects. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute both theoretically and computationally, including development of new methodology, investigation of statistical properties, implementation of software, simulation studies, and applications to biomedical research questions. The candidate must participate in the interdisciplinary and dynamic research environment within the Pioneer Centre for SMARTBiomed. The successful applicant is also encouraged to develop independent research directions aligned with the overall goals of the centre.
The specific tasks of the position will include:
- Manage own academic research and administrative activities.
- Conduct research in line with the goals of SMARTBiomed.
- Lead write-up of research papers pertaining to their own work and collaborate in the preparation of research publications. Ensure, where appropriate, that software research outputs are provided to ensure maximum utility.
- Present papers at conferences or public meetings.
- Contribute to the administrative activities of SMARTBiomed and the research group of appointment.
The postdoctoral fellow will also be encouraged and mentored to develop new proposals and research initiatives to support additional research. Over the course of the position, opportunities to teach at either the graduate or undergraduate level exist.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience: Essential experience and skills:
- A Ph.D. in Statistics/Biostatistics, or similar disciplines.
- Strong skills in theoretical methods development.
- Experience and interest in data analysis and programming (e.g., in R) is further highly desirable.
- Strong English, scientific writing, and oral communications skills
- The ability to work independently, effectively, and collaboratively.
Terms of employment The position is fixed term, limited to a period of 2 years, with the potential for up to one additional year, as needed to finish ongoing work. The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
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 36,877.42 DKK/approx. 4,933.00 EUR (August 2026 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 2020.
Questions More information about the positions is available by contacting Associate Professor Helene Rytgaard, Section of Biostatistics, [email protected], Professor Erin Gabriel, Section of Biostatistics, [email protected], or Professor Torben Martinussen, Section of Biostatistics, [email protected].
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:
- Letter indicating your motivation for application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
- 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.
- List of publications and archived works in progress.
Deadline for applications: December 1st, 2026.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above-mentioned 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 https://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.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.
