Postdoctoral Position in Young Adult Health and Complexity at University of Copenhagen

The Copenhagen Health Complexity Center at the University of Copenhagen is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Young Adult Health group. This three-year, full-time position focuses on building an ambitious research agenda addressing real-world health complexities among young adults, leveraging unique large-scale data from the DANLIFE cohort and the SmartSleep study. The research will apply advanced methods from complex systems science, data science, and causal inference to explore public health challenges and generate policy-relevant evidence for young adult health. The Center is part of the Department of Public Health, which provides a multidisciplinary environment for research and education aimed at improving public health both nationally and globally. The Center's research emphasizes the complex interplay of health, social, and environmental factors that shape individuals, families, and networks over time, and values interdisciplinary collaboration. The postdoc will develop a research agenda related to mental or physical health among young adults (ages 18–40), utilizing multi-layered longitudinal data. Responsibilities include conducting research within a complex-systems framework, contributing to scientific publications, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, participating in research-based teaching, and engaging in organizational activities within the Center. Applicants should hold a PhD in medicine, epidemiology, data science, complexity science, computational science, social science, or a related field. Experience with research on health issues among young adults (e.g., sleep, stress, mental health, or chronic conditions) is required. Candidates must demonstrate an active interest in complex-systems science applied to public health, strong communication skills, the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and excellent English proficiency. The position offers a monthly salary starting at 41,311.83 DKK (approx. 5,529.27 EUR), with an additional 18.07% pension contribution. Foreign and Danish applicants who have not lived in Denmark in the last 10 years may be eligible for tax reductions. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish universities. The application deadline is January 25, 2026. Applications must be submitted online in English and include a motivation letter, CV with publication list, certified PhD and MSc certificates, and a research plan. For more information, contact Professor Naja Hulvej Rod at [email protected] or visit the Center's website.