Postdoctoral Fellow in Genetic Epidemiology, focusing on maternal and child health

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About the position

We have a vacancy at the HUNT Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology (HUNT MCE) for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Genetic Epidemiology. This is a 50% position for a period of 6 years, funded by Samarbeidsorganet (Central Norway Regional Health Authority / NTNU).

You will join the Genetic Epidemiology group at HUNT MCE, working on population-based genetic epidemiology of maternal health, pregnancy, and child health outcomes. HUNT MCE is multidisciplinary, and we use methods from genetic, molecular and clinical epidemiology to study a wide range of diseases and health conditions. For more information about the center, see HUNT MCE.

We are looking for a talented, motivated candidate with a background in genetic epidemiology or statistical genetics, who is excited to develop and apply population- and family-based genetic methods to questions in maternal and child health.

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to build up a researcher profile that qualifies for a position as associate professor. The position may also offer additional skills that are relevant to the postdoctoral fellow's future career.

Apply for this position to become part of our research environment and take the next step in your career with us.

Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About the project

This position sits within a broader programme of genetic epidemiology research into maternal health and its consequences for mother and child, using data from large, genotyped population cohorts (including HUNT, MoBa, UK Biobank and ALSPAC). The project draws on population-based genetic epidemiology — including genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and family-based study designs — to understand how maternal exposures during pregnancy relate to pregnancy outcomes and child health.

The specific maternal exposures and outcomes studied will be refined together with the successful candidate to reflect the current state of the literature and the group's ongoing collaborations. Outcomes of interest may extend beyond the immediate pregnancy and birth period to child health and growth across childhood, including later childhood outcomes. Causal inference methods such as Mendelian randomization form part of the analytical toolkit used alongside other genetic epidemiology approaches.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to the group's work with the international MR-PREG collaboration (Mendelian Randomization in Pregnancy), University of Bristol and other international partners, including the University of Queensland, on maternal and family-based genetic epidemiology.

Duties of the position

• Conduct population- and family-based genetic epidemiology analyses, including GWAS, using data from large cohorts such as HUNT, MoBa, UK Biobank and ALSPAC
• Apply causal inference methods, including Mendelian randomization, to maternal exposures and pregnancy and child health outcomes
• Contribute to the development and refinement of family-based and intergenerational genetic epidemiology methods
• Collaborate with clinical experts to interpret findings and identify relevant exposures and outcomes
• Participate in joint project meetings and collaborative analyses with national and international partners, including the MR-PREG collaboration
• Publish in international peer-reviewed journals and contribute to popular science dissemination
• Participate in the Genetic Epidemiology research group at HUNT MCE
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays abroad

Required selection criteria

• A PhD (or equivalent) in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, epidemiology, genetics, biostatistics, or a closely related field
• Documented experience with genetic epidemiology methods, such as GWAS, family-based genetic analysis, or Mendelian randomization
• Excellent spoken and written English, suitable for communication with international academic partners

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with genetic epidemiology study designs, including family-based or intergenerational genetic analysis
• Experience with Mendelian randomization or other causal inference methods
• Strong programming skills in R and/or experience with statistical genetics software (e.g., PLINK, GCTA, METAL)
• Experience with Linux, high-performance computing, and reproducible workflows
• Experience working with large-scale biobank, cohort, or health registry data
• Previous relevant research experience and publications
• Good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

To succeed in this position, it is important that you:

● Communicate clearly and convincingly, both in writing and orally, to scientific and non-scientific audiences

● Work in a structured way, set goals, make plans and deliver on agreed deadlines, both independently and in a team

● Present and discuss your research with other professionals, and contribute constructively with feedback

● Analyse data, assess different perspectives and draw well-founded conclusions

● Show curiosity, strong motivation for the subject, and potential as a researcher

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important social mission
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a Postdoctoral Fellow at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

Salary and conditions

As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from gross NOK 633 400,- per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

This is a 50% position for a period of 6 years. The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and to adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above.

The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's-,Master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your PhD, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or confirmation that your PhD thesis has been submitted. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• CV
• A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting,you can attach a draft of the thesis.
• Academic works - published or unpublished
• Possible recommendation letters
• Name and contact information of three referees

If all or parts of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation requiredcan be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal qualities. Motivation, ambitions and potential for research will also be emphasized in the assessment of the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate professor Ben Brumpton, email: Ben.brumpton@ntnu.no

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Rebecca Hembre Storli, email: rebecca.h.storli@ntnu.no

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached.

Application deadline: 22.11.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

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