The Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, invites applications for a position as postdoc within the research areas of network modelling, depression, epidemiology and clinical neuroscience. The postdoc position is for 18 months, with a possible 6-months extension, starting on February 2, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Psychology is a vibrant, inclusive workplace hosting an engaged group of faculty, post docs and PhD students. The department has close collaborations with Odense University Hospital, and its research covers a wide range of health-related topics and methodologies.

The position and the project

The focus of the position is on developing models that map how everyday psychological distress symptoms interact through time with a person’s activities, neurocognitive abilities and life events to lead to depression, in both people who have never been depressed before and those currently in recovery from depression.

We are looking for a highly motivated and ambitious candidate with an interest in quantitative methods, bioinformatics, clinical neuropsychology, and network theory of psychopathology. The candidate should have experience with network modelling and programming. Experience with systematic reviews and meta-analyses is an asset, but not a prerequisite for the position.  

The successful candidate will work on the project “Dynamic network modelling of depression: towards personalised treatment targets” funded by the Lundbeck Foundation. The successful candidate will join a research group with an expertise in clinical psychology, psychiatry, mathematical modelling and statistics, led by Associate Professor Maria Semkovska in a collaboration between the Department of Psychology, Odense University Hospital and the Danish Twin Research Center. The primary place of work will be the Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense.

Required qualifications

• PhD in bioinformatics, neuroscience, computer science, statistics, epidemiology, psychology, public health, psychiatry or a connected field

• Excellent research track record, including at least two first-authored peer-reviewed publications relevant to network modelling, network theory and/or network meta-analyses.

• Fluency in programming as needed for network analyses (e.g., R/python) 

• Strong analytical, organisational, and record-keeping skills

• Willingness to collaborate with internal and external collaborators as well as support the project’s research group members

• Interest in teaching

• Proficiency in spoken and written English

We offer

• An exciting job

• The possibility to engage in high-impact, multidisciplinary research

• A dynamic, diverse and international research environment that values collaboration among colleagues

• Learning and applying new analytical methods to large data sets

• The possibility for contract extension

• Flexibility in planning working hours 

• Advanced professional training opportunities

• Possibility of participation in international conferences

• For international candidates, support with practical, and social aspects (e.g., housing, researcher taxation etc.) through our international staff office (ISO) (see https://www.sdu.dk/en/om-sdu/job-sdu/international-staff)

• For the right candidate, there will be possibilities to influence the project and develop new project ideas within the project frame.

Contact information

Further information can be obtained by e-mail to associate professor Maria Semkovska,  msemkovska@health.sdu.dk

Application deadline

December 11, 2025, at 23.59 hrs CET.

Salary

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Application 

Applications must be in English and submitted electronically using the link "Apply now" below.  Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply. 

The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total): 

• A letter stating the interest, motivation and qualifications for the project (max. 2 pages) 

• A detailed CV

• A complete and numbered list of publications 

• Degree certificates (including documentation of master’s and PhD degree) 

• Up to 3 scientific peer-reviewed publications considered by the candidate as most important for this position 

If you experience technical problems, you must contact hcm-support@sdu.dk. 

Please note that all the above-mentioned information must be included in the application.  

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.  

Applications may be shortlisted. Shortlisted applications will be assessed by an expert committee. 

Living and working in Denmark 

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment.  

The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark.  Read about working in Denmark (Danish rules and guidelines) here

The University wishes our staff to reflect on the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.