PhD Position on Burden of Zoonoses in the EU - DTU Food

We seek a dedicated and independent PhD candidate with an interest in epidemiology, data analysis and modelling, and application of metrics to quantify public health and other impacts of zoonoses in the EU.
If your ambition is to be a part of an international research team and work towards understanding and developing solutions for One Health priorities in Europe, this project is for you. At DTU Food, you will work towards developing a methodological framework to rank and prioritize zoonoses by quantifying their public health, animal health, and economic impacts.

Foodborne zoonoses have a large public health, animal health, and economic impact in the EU. To establish priorities and support decision-making for control of zoonoses, it is important to estimate the overall societal impact of zoonoses in different countries. This requires analysis of varied and heterogenous data and development of models that rely on composite metrics.

To address these challenges, DTU Food is looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a strong interest in epidemiology, data analysis and modelling, and application of metrics to quantify public health and other impacts of zoonoses in the EU.

In this project, you will contribute to developing a methodological framework to estimate the dual human and animal disease burden of selected foodborne zoonoses in EU countries. The PhD project will be integrated in a European project of six partners from various countries and will analyse data provided by European agencies and other data sources.

As a PhD student, you will join our team at the Risk-benefit Research Group at the National Food Institute (DTU Food) and work closely with the international partners.

The 3-year period will include an external academic stay.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your tasks will include carrying out independent research, scientific publication and dissemination, and teaching. Additionally, as a PhD student at DTU it is mandatory to take courses of a duration of 30 ETCS during the 3-year period.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A master’s degree related to the project, e.g. veterinary medicine, animal health, food-production or equivalent
• Strong background in epidemiology, data analysis and quantitative methods
• Experience in one or more programing languages (e.g. R, Python)
• Knowledge of public health, foodborne disease surveillance, and animal disease surveillance is an advantage
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• High motivation for research excellence
• Strong communication skills in English, especially in connection with writing and presenting scientific results.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Sara Monteiro Pires ([email protected]; +4540213489).

You can read more about the National Food Institute at www.food.dtu.dk.

The Risk-benefit Research Group at DTU Food contributes to preventing disease, promoting health and sustainability of food systems by developing models and methods within the area of risk benefit assessments of foods.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 21 March 2025 (23.59 Danish time).
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The DTU National Food Institute
DTU Food conducts research into and disseminates - through advice, innovation and teaching - sustainable and value-creating solutions in the area of food and health for the benefit of society. The institute’s vision is to make a difference by generating future prosperity through research into food and health. The institute prevents disease and promotes health, develops new and better food products for a growing population and creates sustainable technological solutions. The institute’s tasks are carried out in a unique interdisciplinary cooperation in e.g. nutrition, chemistry, toxicology, microbiology, epidemiology, modelling and technology.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.

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