Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 41,500 students and about 4,600 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
The Department of Statistics at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) is recruiting one or two PhD students in Statistics with an interest in methodological development and applied register‑based health research. Application deadline: May 28, 2026.
We seek one or two PhD students to work on two closely related research projects:
“Integrative Machine and Deep Learning Models for Predictive Analysis in Complex Disease Areas”, and
“From Complexity to Clarity: Advancing Causal Mediation Analysis for Register‑based Health Research”.
Both projects focus on major population diseases, with particular emphasis on stroke and infectious diseases, and are based on analyses of large‑scale Swedish register data. Taken together, the projects aim to develop generalizable statistical methods for register‑based health research, while also contributing new knowledge on risk, prognosis, and underlying mechanisms in complex disease processes.
One project focuses on predictive modelling, using machine learning and deep learning to develop and evaluate risk measures and models that can accurately identify patients and patient groups at increased risk of severe disease outcomes. For selected patient subgroups, medical imaging data are also integrated into the models.
The second project focuses on causal mediation analysis, with the aim of developing statistical methods that enable investigation of why disease risks and health inequalities arise when multiple interrelated mechanisms are involved. The project combines the handling of multiple mediators with causal inference and modern machine‑learning approaches.
The starting date for the position is September 1, 2026, or upon agreement.
Requirements and qualifications Applicants should have a degree awarded at the advanced level with a major in Statistics (or equivalent qualifications meeting the national requirements for admission to doctoral studies in Sweden). Moreover, the student must have satisfactorily undertaken courses in Mathematics equivalent to at least 30 ECTS credits.
The assessments of the applicants are based on their qualifications and their ability to benefit from the doctoral-level education they will receive. Experience in the R programming language, mediation analysis, machine learning, and analysis of large-scale health register data is a merit for the position.
How to apply The application should include:
A letter of application with a motivation describing your research interests and how they are relevant for this position.
Copies of relevant degree certificates and other documentation you wish to include in support of your application.
The names, with contact details and e-mail addresses, of at least two reference persons.
The application is to be submitted on the University recruitment system no later than May 28, 2026.
Information In the event that a residence permit is required for your stay in Sweden, the university reserves the right to revoke your admission, if you are not granted a residence permit, or if you cannot present a valid residence permit before the study start date. The latest date for starting studies is December 15, 2026.
More about USBE and The Department of Statistics As an internationally respected, nationally influential, and regionally rooted part of Umeå University, Umeå School of Business, Economics, and Statistics contributes to societal development through education and research of a high international standard.
In collaboration with our surrounding society, we provide education and research that contributes to individuals' understanding, ability and responsibility in relation to societal challenges and the importance of sustainable development. We are AACSB-accredited and sustainability certified according to the environmental management standard ISO14001.
The Department of Business Administration, the Department of Economics, the Department of Statistics and The USBE office form USBE, with about 150 employees. About 4000 students follow our programs every year and we offer education from the undergraduate to the doctoral program level in all our main disciplines – Business Administration, Economics and Statistics.
The Department of Statistics has about 30 members of staff. We conduct research in the field of statistical sciences, both method development and empirical research, in collaboration with other sciences.
Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.
We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.
