Post-doctoral Researcher, Epidemiology / Health Services Research

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 4000 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 19,000 people in total. Our northern scientific community operates globally and creates conditions for the emergence of innovations. The University of Oulu is ranked in the top 3% of the world’s universities.

We are looking for a

Post-doctoral Epidemiologist / Health Services Researcher

to join us in the Research Unit for Population Health (PoPH), a multidisciplinary research and teaching unit at the Faculty of Medicine. The post-doctoral position is set within Health Dimensions, a multidisciplinary research initiative funded by the Research Council of Finland. Health Dimensions explores the complex, multidimensional nature of human health, with the aim to prevent chronic diseases and multimorbidity through a new level of understanding and acting on these dimensions - lifelong molecular, physiological, environmental, behavioural and societal mechanisms.

About the job

We are looking for an experienced epidemiologist / health services researcher to join a multi-disciplinary research group of experts working in life course epidemiology, medical statistics, psychology and clinical medicine. Together, we run various projects exploring the development of multimorbidity across the life course, with the aim to promote health and well-being from prenatal period up to later life.

The post-doctoral researcher will investigate the roles of preterm birth, foetal growth restriction and other early life exposures in the development of childhood and adolescent multimorbidity, as well as the mechanisms linking these and other prenatal and perinatal exposures to subsequent multiple chronic diseases. The work will focus on analysing large sets of nationwide health, healthcare and sociodemographic data from Finland and other Nordic countries, utilising advanced longitudinal modelling and causal inference approaches.

The key duties and responsibilities of the post-doctoral researcher will include

•    Cleaning and management of health, healthcare and sociodemographic data from multiple nationwide registers
•    Advanced statistical modelling in large and complex health and healthcare data
•    Writing scientific articles and submitting these for peer review and publication
•    Presenting research findings in scientific meetings and conferences
•    Working together with research group members and collaborators in data analysis and management, as well as producing scientific outputs
•    Contributing to preparing funding applications

What we offer

• The support of a highly experienced and enthusiastic research team and Unit, with whom you can share and develop your expertise
• Career development and learning opportunities in a multidisciplinary, international university setting and within Health Dimensions research initiative 
• Work that matters and a workplace that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Read more about working at University of Oulu
• University of Oulu has an HR Excellence in Research -quality label, a recognition awarded by the European Commission for the development of researchers’ working conditions and careers.
• Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with a proven track record of independent research and a strong interest in the multidisciplinary study of trajectories and developmental mechanisms for multimorbidity across the early part of the life course.

We expect you to demonstrate the following:

• A doctoral degree in a suitable field (e.g. epidemiology, health services research, medical statistics, medicine, or other quantitative field)
• A strong interest in life course epidemiology and experience in management and analysis of electronic health records and administrative data
• Solid analytical skills using statistical or programming software (e.g. Stata, SAS, R or Python)
• Experience of advanced longitudinal modelling, including time-to-event models, mediation analysis and causal inference approaches
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English
• A track record of scientific publications
• Experience of presenting your work to colleagues and stakeholders
• Ability to take initiative, organise your work and complete tasks to an agreed timetable
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, with senior and junior colleagues

We also appreciate

•    Excellent written and spoken Finnish
•    Experience of, or interest in, teaching and/or supervision in a higher education setting

Salary

The position is fixed-term for two years, starting on 1st September 2026.

The salary will be based on the levels 5-6 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff at Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 3900-4200 € per month.   The contract will include a standard 6 month probationary period.

How to apply?

Please apply by 30th July 2026 (23:59 Finnish time) using our online recruitment system Varbi.

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

1. Cover letter (maximum 1 page), including details of how the post-doctoral position fits in with your career aspirations, and your interests and experience in the epidemiology of chronic diseases and multimorbidity, as well as your experience of data analysis and working with large and complex health data
2. CV (maximum 2 pages)
3. List of publications
4. Contact details of 2-3 referees, at least one of whom must be your current line manager / research supervisor. We will always check with you prior to contacting any referee.
5. Copies of your Master’s degree and doctoral degree certificates. If your degrees are not from an English or Finnish speaking institution, please provide a translation of these documents.

Interviews (in-person or remotely) are expected to be held in early August 2026.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, such as people of different ages, genders, and linguistic, cultural and ethnic groups. University of Oulu is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive environment for all.

Contact Information

For questions or enquiries, please contact Associate Professor Katriina Heikkila (katriina.heikkila[at]oulu.fi).