Postdoctoral position with one of the best personality*health*genomics dataset in the world!

Professors Uku Vainik and René Mõttus are looking for two post-doctoral candidates keen to advance our understanding of personality traits and cognitive abilities through linking these with genomics, health, life events and other experiences. The post-docs will work with a subset of Estonian Biobank — one of the largest personality, health, and genetics studies that covers nearly 7% of the Estonian adult population (77K people).

This data can be used to answer numerous questions. Currently, a team of 12 graduate students and scientists are linking personality with job satisfaction, health, environmental attitudes, genomics, blood metabolites, mental health, eating behaviours, body weight trajectories, drug purchases, microbiome, cancer, built environment and so on. But many more questions can be addressed that the current team can do. 

See the local and European funding on obesity, mental health, and well-being for Uku and René.

See the papers, preprints, and pre-registrations of Uku and René.
 

Please consider joining us! We are looking for people who are:

• able to lead and deliver research projects, 
• able to use R or Python, 
• able to communicate well in English, 
• have domain knowledge or strong interest in personality, cognition, genetics, health, or mental health.
   

For you to apply, we need:

1. a copy of your PhD diploma or graduation date, 
2. evidence of English communication & writing skills, 
3. a short CV, 
4. a 1-page research proposal, 
5. a list of publications,
6. the contacts of two potential referees. 

Apply here!

The deadline for applying is October 24, 2024. The expected starting date is January 1, 2025, and the positions are intended for two years, which can be extended. Other starting arrangements are also possible. Up to 10% of work time will be spent teaching and/or supervising students. The expected salary is 2600€/month before taxes. See the UT salary Rules. 

Tartu is a vibrant university city, with the almost 400-year old University of Tartu present at every step. The institute of Psychology continues the legacy of Emil Kräpelin who introduced experimental psychology to Tartu in 1886. The annual Gene Forum showcases the world’s best genomics and health researchers. Tartu was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2024.
 

Let’s do big things together!