The Max Planck – University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health is a new major joint initiative of the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), Germany, and the University of Helsinki, Finland. To achieve the Center’s vision of unearthing the pivotal social processes that generate health inequalities, it leverages linked family-based data, natural experimental designs, genetically-informed social epidemiological data, advanced dynamic modelling techniques, and a combination of theoretical frameworks.

The Center is currently seeking to appoint one or more full-time post-doctoral researchers to contribute to its research theme on methodological innovation. We welcome applications from researchers with a PhD in demography, statistics, epidemiology, sociology, economics, computer science, or a similar field. The successful candidate will work on one or several of the research strands within the Center’s research theme on methods: longitudinal data analysis, causal inference, and machine learning approaches. More specific topics include, but are not limited to, multistate models, Mendelian randomization, and supervised learning to assess effect heterogeneity. The successful candidate will develop their own methodological agenda within the research theme, and they will contribute their skills and knowledge to applications in the Center’s other research themes. We are seeking creative, self-driven, and collaborative scholars. Knowledge of advanced programming in R, Python, or Stata is an advantage.

We provide a stimulating research-oriented community, an excellent infrastructure, and opportunities to work with exciting datasets. The successful applicant will be offered a contract for up to 4 years with remuneration commensurate to experience (starting from approx. 57,000 EUR gross per year for researchers who have just completed their PhD, up to approx. 71,000 EUR gross per year for more senior scientists), based on the salary structure of the German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst, TVöD Bund).

The currently advertised positions are located at the MPIDR. It is expected that successful applicants will be in residence at the MPIDR in Rostock, Germany, and support for relocation costs is available. There are opportunities to visit the Helsinki partner site to make use of the unique data structure that is critical to the research agenda of the Center. This data covers all Finnish individuals nested in areas, families and households for over five decades with detailed information of sociodemographic characteristics and health from population registers, and genetic information for a sub-set from epidemiological surveys. Use of the data is possible both from Rostock and Helsinki, and scientists working for the Center have access also to other key international datasets for health inequality research.

Please apply online via https://survey.demogr.mpg.de/index.php/265349?lang=en and include in a single PDF file:

1. Letter of interest (max. 2 pages)
2. Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, focusing on your most relevant achievements)
3. A writing example (e.g., one of your publications)
4. Contact information for up to 2 academic referees

In order to receive full consideration, please apply by January 10. Interviews are planned for January 23 to February 10. The exact starting date is flexible. Applicants should have completed their doctoral degree; however, candidates graduating in 2023 can apply.

For general inquiries about the position, the Center, and the research theme on methods and the topics it covers please contact Christian Dudel at dudel@demogr.mpg.de.

The MPIDR is one of the leading demographic research centers in the world. It is part of the Max Planck Society, a network of 86 institutes that form Germany’s premier basic-research organization. Max Planck Institutes have an established record of world-class, foundational research in the sciences, technology, social sciences and the humanities. They offer a unique environment that combines the best aspects of an academic setting and a research laboratory.

The Max Planck Society offers a broad range of measures to support the reconciliation of work and family. These are complemented by the MPIDR’s own initiatives. For more information, see: demogr.mpg.de/go/work-family.

In addition, there are a range of central initiatives and measures primarily geared towards helping young female researchers and mothers to advance their career. See the link below for some examples: demogr.mpg.de/go/career-development.

We value diversity and are keen to employ individuals from minorities and under-represented groups.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.