The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.
We are seeking a talented and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in the areas of environmental epidemiology and climate change. The successful candidate will join the research team of Dr. Joan Ballester Claramunt at ISGlobal within the framework of various research projects, mainly the Horizon Europe project CATALYSE (see “Project information” below).
The chosen candidate will be at the forefront of environmental research by analysing a newly-created database of human health in Europe, which incorporates a range of environmental, socioeconomic and demographic variables and novel digital data streams at different spatiotemporal scales. See examples of recent high-impact publications here , here and here . The chosen candidate will develop impact-based early warning systems, following the approach and methodology of the first continental heat-health early warning system Forecaster.Health
Project information
CATALYSE (“Climate Action to Advance Healthy Societies in Europe”, Sep’22-Aug’27) is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02-03), whose overarching aim is to provide new knowledge, data, and tools on: i) the relationships between changes in environmental hazards caused by climate change, ecosystems, and human health; ii) the health co-benefits of climate action; iii) the role of health evidence in decision making; and iv) the societal implications of climate change for health systems. CATALYSE is developing innovative surveillance and forecasting tools that facilitate effective response to environmental health hazards, including a heat-health early warning system that incorporates weather forecasting, health data and epidemiological modelling. The early warning system will focus on Catalonia, Spain, based on high-quality health data, high-resolution weather forecasts from the Catalan Meteorological Agency, and established links with local public health stakeholders.
Use epidemiological models to transform operational forecasts into health predictions;
analyse and compare the spatiotemporal scales of predictability of forecasts and predictions;
Use this comparative predictability analysis to develop an operational, fit-for-purpose, early warning system.
The final aim of the work is to better inform potential end-users such as public health agencies to activate emergency plans directly targeting vulnerable groups.
AUXILIAR TASKS
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 assessment process.
Teamwork.
Problem resolution.
Learning capacity.
The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.
Have a completed PhD with expertise in environmental epidemiology, climate, atmospheric sciences, mathematics, biostatistics, big data analysis or related areas;
Have a good track record of first-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals, preferably in high-impact journals;
Have experience in the modelling of the relation between environmental exposures and human health (e.g. distributed lag nonlinear models, spatial Bayesian methods, case time series analysis, case crossover analysis);
Have experience in common programming languages, with particular focus on R;
have experience with the management and analysis of large datasets, and particularly, weather, climate and/or health data;
Be fluent in spoken and written English;
Be willing to apply to individual fellowships to become and independent researcher and define new own research lines;
Be willing to work in an inter-disciplinary team within a highly collaborative research institute.
Proficiency in English.
Contract: 1 year, full time
Salary: 30k / 35k gross annual
Work-Life Balance: 36 days off per year (23 vacation days + 13 personal days)
Start date: as soon as possible
Applicants must complete the application form and upload a CV and a Cover Letter. Each document must be clearly named with the candidate’s name and surname.
Applications will remain open until 26th of July.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted and interviewed as applications are received. Interviews may take place during the application period.
We encourage diverse applications, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political beliefs.
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 passed. 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.
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.
ISGlobal is a public-private partnership with a longstanding commitment to global health that builds on the existing research, training, and health activities of its founders and strives to contribute to the global effort to improve health worldwide.
It is the fruit of an innovative alliance between the ”la Caixa” Foundation and academic and government institutions to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health. ISGlobal is a consolidated hub of excellence in research that has grown out of work first started in the world of health care by the Hospital Clínic and the Parc de Salut MAR and in the academic sphere by the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University.
Its working model is based on the generation of scientific knowledge through Research Programmes and Groups, and its translation through the areas of Training and Analysis and Global Development.
ISGlobal has been named a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence and is a member of the CERCA system of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
