Job offer: Predoctoral researcher on global burden of health inequality

We are seeking a talented and highly motivated predoctoral researcher in the domain of global burden of health inequality. The successful candidate will join the research teams of Dr. Joan Ballester  and Dr. Xavier Basagaña  at ISGlobal  within the framework of various research projects, mainly the ERC Consolidator grant EARLY-ADAPT . The chosen candidate will be at the forefront of environmental epidemiology by analysing a novel database of global human health, which incorporates a range of environmental, socioeconomic and demographic variables and novel epidemiological models at different spatiotemporal scales.

EARLY-ADAPT (“Signs of Early Adaptation to Climate Change”, 2021-2026, Grant Agreement 865564) is a European Research Council Consolidator Grant (ERC-2019-CoG), whose overarching aim is to jointly analyse the multiple drivers of recent trends in human health. Its driving hypothesis is that societies are starting to adapt to climate change, but the effectiveness of early adaptation is heterogeneous in space and time. EARLY-ADAPT is creating a daily, continental-wide database with multiple health outcomes, climate variables, air pollutants, desert dust and winter infectious diseases. The database is being used to model the relation between health and the environment, quantify the modifying effect of the societal factors, and perform a predictability analysis to determine the most realistic adaptation scenarios for the projections of future health. The project will allow to detect, understand and quantify the inequalities in adaptation between countries, regions, cities and social groups. More information is available here.
Climate Action To Advance Healthy Societies in Europe (CATALYSE, GA 101057131), who have received funding from the European Union’s, Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON), aims to provide new knowledge, data and tools to close the knowledge-to-action gap to accelerate climate change action and protect public health in Europe.

• Master in relevant field entitling access to a PhD programme in Spain: https://www.upf.edu/web/doctorats/biomedicina
• The chosen candidate is requested to have good programming skills in R.

In addition, it is desired that the chosen candidate meets as many of the following criteria as possible:

• have experience with Linux environment and scripting;
• have experience with Shiny, Python and/or NetCDF;
• have experience with Shapefiles and geospatial data;
• have experience with the management and analysis of climate and/or health data;
• have experience with the download and processing of health databases;
• have a good level of English;
• be willing to work in an inter-disciplinary project team within a highly collaborative research institute.
   

• be willing to work in an inter-disciplinary project team within a highly collaborative research institute.

• perform large-scale epidemiological studies analysing the role of environmental factors (mainly climate and air pollution) on human health;
• perform theoretical studies analysing the performance of a new methodology to fit epidemiological models;
• analyse the socioeconomic and demographic drivers of global inequality in vulnerability and adaptation to climate change by performing cross-sectional and longitudinal studies; and
• contribute in the transformation of weather forecasts and health data into predictable health early warning systems as innovative tools to improve the early adaptation response to climate change.

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder. 

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional asessment  process .

• Good level of english

• Duration: 36 months
• Starting date:    As soon as possible
• Contract: (part or full time) Full-time
• Salary Range: Predoctoral fellow, category B, 24,933€/year gross

Applicants must fill in the request form and include the following code reference position: PHD_EARLY_July2024, attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname. 

The receipt of applications will be open until 07/08/2024

Applications will be accepted until 17.00 CET of the closing date.

Only the applications submitted through the request form will be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The interviews could be placed during the reception candidatures period.
Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be pass. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
ISGlobal supports the initiative #ScienceforUkraine. Therefore, to sustain Ukraine’s presence in the European Research Area and international scholarly community, candidates from Ukraine on all levels of scholarly career are welcome: students, PhD candidates, early career researchers and senior scholars.
We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.