Postdoc in Young Adult Health and Complexity

Copenhagen Health Complexity Center
Department of Public Health
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

A three-year position as a Postdoctoral researcher is now available at the Copenhagen Health Complexity Center, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen. The Postdoc’s employment is expected to start on 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

About the Center
The Postdoc will be employed at the Copenhagen Health Complexity Center, which aims to build a strong scientific foundation for understanding and acting on complex public-health challenges. The Center leverages multi-layered nationwide social and health data combined with an interdisciplinary fusion of methods spanning data science, epidemiology, ethnography, econometrics, and systems science. Our research focuses on the complex interplay of health, social, and environmental factors that shape individuals, families, and networks over time. We emphasise interdisciplinary collaboration, offering the Postdoc an opportunity to actively engage as a collaborative partner in different projects depending on their interests and expertise. Learn more about the Center and our research, vision, and values here.

About the Department
The Department of Public Health provides the scientific foundation for researchers and educators who aim to improve public health, both nationally and globally, and to create greater insight into the links between health, the individual, and society as well as the ethical, equity, and political implications. This is achieved through research, education, and engagement with stakeholders and the general public along with a broad multidisciplinary research agenda that addresses most aspects of public health at a high international level. More information about the Department of Public Health is available here.

About the position
The position will be nested within the Young Adult Health group in the Center, where we study real-world health complexities among young adults. The health and social issues that arise during this life period affect not only the individual but also their families, their workplaces, and may have long-lasting effects on later health and social trajectories. However, the causes and consequences of these health and social issues are intertwined, complex, and often understudied; thus, fundamental questions related to the health and social issues experienced by young adults remain unanswered. By illuminating the distinct patterns and characteristics of the health and social issues in this age group, we aim to address the underlying dynamics that contribute to these problems.

The Postdoc’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Develop a research agenda related to mental or physical health among young adults (18 to 40 years) based on unique multi-layered longitudinal data from the Center including the SmartSleep study, the Danish Life Course Cohort (DANLIFE) study or other relevant data resources.
• Within a complex-systems framework, explore and apply methods for health-complexity research based on the large quantitative data recourses combining, e.g., methods from complex-systems science, data science, and causal inference.
• Contribute to scientific publications and engage in the dissemination of research results related to these topics.
• Collaborate with researchers in the Young Adult Health group in the Center on interdisciplinary projects.
• Participate in research-based teaching related to sleep or mental health, complexity science, epidemiology, or other related fields.
• Actively contribute to the development of organisational elements within the Center, such as network activities, website, outreach initiatives, social engagements, scientific meetings, and more.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with the following competences and experience:

• You have a PhD degree in medicine, epidemiology, data science, complexity science, computational science, social science or other related sciences
• You have some experience with research related to health issues among young adults, e.g. sleep, stress, mental health or specific chronic health conditions.
• You have an active interest in complex-systems science applied to public health and epidemiology
• You have proficient communication skills and a proven ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
• You have excellent English skills, both written and spoken
• You have the ambition and willingness to compete at a high international level to make impact.

Place of employment
The place of employment is the Copenhagen Health Complexity Center, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen next to the city lakes in Central Copenhagen.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week. The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is April 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible hereafter. Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 41,311.83 DKK/approx. 5,529.27 EUR (November 2025 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 2025.

Further information
For specific information about the position, please contact Center Director, Professor Naja Hulvej Rod [email protected].

Applicants may find the following links useful:

• Copenhagen Health Complexity Center: https://www.healthcomplex.dk/
• University of Copenhagen: http://www.ku.dk/english/
• Department of Public Health: https://publichealth.ku.dk/
• International Staff Mobility: https://ism.ku.dk/

Application process
Your application should be written in English and must include the following documents – all in PDF format:

• Letter of motivation (max. 1 page). Please briefly describe your previous research experience and interests as well as what attracts you to the position, both in terms of the topic and the academic work
• Overview of your experience with complex systems science.
• Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications
• Certified/signed copy of
  a) PhD certificate (if the PhD has not been completed, a written statement from the applicant’s supervisor will suffice)
  b) Master of Science certificate
• Research plan (max 2 pages) outlining your ideas for a project that focuses on young adult health using data from the SmartSleep study, the DANLIFE study or other relevant data resources.

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be considered.
After the expiration of the deadline for applications, the authorised recruitment manager will select applicants for assessment based on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been advanced for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment has been completed, each applicant is given an opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant themselves.

You can read more about the recruitment process here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Application deadline
Deadline for applications: Sunday 25 January 2026, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right to reject material received after the deadline, and to reject applications that do not meet the abovementioned requirements.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their personal background.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kontakt
Naja Hulvej Rod
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 25-01-2026

Ansættelsesdato: 01-04-2026

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Public Health