Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship
PhD Position in Parkinson’s Disease & Environmental Epidemiology
PACE – The Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Center invites applications for a fully funded 3-year, full-time PhD position starting 1 August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is part of a larger project investigating environmental causes of Parkinson’s disease.
You will work closely with supervisors and senior staff at PACE, which is part of the Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, and the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, in collaboration with other partners. The supervisor team has expertise in environmental epidemiology, statistical methods, and Parkinson’s disease.
PACE is a translational research center focused on Lewy body diseases, bringing together research across clinical studies, epidemiology, imaging, biobanks, experimental models, and basic science. You will also be affiliated with the Department of Public Health, an internationally recognized research environment with strong collaborative networks.
Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder, and environmental exposures (such as pesticides, air pollution, and toxicants) are suspected causes of this negative development. The aim of this research project is to conduct register-based studies examining the influence of such environmental exposures on the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
The project will be carried out in close collaboration between the Parkinson researchers at PACE and the epidemiologists at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, specialising in environmental epidemiology. The successful applicant will conduct and complete various epidemiological studies based on health registers and environmental parameter registers in collaboration with relevant partners. The applicant will use several databases and Danish national registries containing data on exposures at a geographically granular level, health data, diagnoses, medications, and more. Analyses will be performed applying appropriate biostatistical methods.
The applicant is expected to publish the research results in international peer-reviewed journals and disseminate them at national and international conferences.
PACE – The Lundbeck Foundation Parkinson’s Disease Research Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, DK-8200 Aarhus N, and the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bar-tholins Allé 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C.
Prior experience with registry-based work.
Analytical skills.
Basic statistical and epidemiological skills are an advantage but not a requirement.
Knowledge of statistical software (e.g. R, SAS, or Stata) is an advantage but not required.
Fluency in English (oral and written).
Ability to work independently with attention to details.
Strong communication and collaborative skills in an international, interdisciplinary research environment.
Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 24 May 2026 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 August 2026.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
For further information please contact Center Manager Louise Vagner Laursen (louisevl@clin.au.dk) or Director Per Borghammer (borghammer@clin.au.dk).
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
