Researcher Position in ‘Father HERO’ Paternal Determinants of Childhood Overweight

The project ‘Father HERO’

Overweight remains a global health concern. We seek a junior researcher/PhD candidate for the project “Father Hero” on paternal, intergenerational determinants of childhood overweight and development, compared to maternal, intergenerational determinants, and assess potential mediating pathways through telomer length, financed by the Centre for Childhood Health, Denmark.

You will conduct the project based on an existing study design. You will manage and analyze rich intergenerational TRAILS and TRAILS Next data (https://www.trails.nl/en), and gain experience with generating telomere length data from biological samples of young children at Hasselt University (Belgium), and conduct advanced statistical analyses. You will publish findings in scientific journals, present at national and international conferences, participate in scientific meetings, and communicate results to stakeholders such as parents, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers.

Working Environment

The University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) is a leading center for life course epidemiology research. Within the Departments of Health Sciences and Psychiatry, strong research programs focus on transgenerational and life course influences of familial and other environmental determinants of children’s growth, development, health, and well-being.

You will be appointed at the Department of Health Sciences and supervised by a multidisciplinary team from the Departments of Health Sciences and Psychiatry: Prof. de Kroon, Prof. Hartman, and Prof. Reijneveld. You will also collaborate with Prof. Nawrot (Hasselt University), an expert in biological ageing. Both departments offer a stimulating academic environment.

What we ask for

• A master’s degree (or expected before September 1, 2026) in (genetic) epidemiology / psychiatry / neurology / econometrics / psychology / biostatistics or any other related field in (public) health, prevention or biology.
• Experience with analyzing complex datasets.
• Strong skills in applying advanced statistical models.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• An ambitious attitude combined with the ability to work well in a team.
• A goal-oriented and efficient working style, and a proactive and pragmatic attitude.
• Interest in lifecourse epidemiological research.

What We Offer

• A challenging 3-year PhD or junior researcher position (36h/week);
• Embedding in an inspiring multidisciplinary research environment;
• A stimulating academic environment with room for professional and social engagement;
• An employment contract of 36 hours per week, initially for 1 year, with the intention to extend to a total of 3 years; intended start date: 1 September 2026;
• A gross monthly salary of € 4.077 (salary scale PRO from 1 July).
• Additionally, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

For questions about the position

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