Disease burden and surveillance of enterovirus infection

About DETECTIVE

DETECTIVE (Data driven Excellence in Training of Epidemiological, Clinical, Technological and Innovative Virus Experts) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at developing new, data-driven methods to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging viral threats at an earlier stage than before. Coordinated by Prof. Dr. Heli Harvala, Professor of Virology at the University of Turku in Finland, the network brings together 8 academic institutions and 14 associated partners from across Europe.

Within DETECTIVE, researchers will develop innovative methods used to detect emerging pathogens earlier, understand who is most at risk, and translate the complex multi-source data into real-time, evidence-based decisions and clinical applications. The project's overall goal is to establish a unified, end-to-end epidemic-intelligence frame work, enhancing Europe’s capacity to respond to threats quickly and in a coordinated manner. This will be achieved by an integrated approach combining virology, evolutionary genomics, epidemiology, diagnostics and AI-based analytical methods.

Background of Project DC7

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases represent one of the greatest threats to global health and societal stability in the 21st century. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated with unprecedented clarity how quickly novel pathogens can spread, overwhelm healthcare systems, and disrupt economies.

This doctoral project aims to utilise biobank samples as a key element for the assessment of susceptibility to new and existing enteroviruses. In addition, the doctoral project should utilize results from the network to build and strengthen explanatory and predictive models of surveillance data.

Job Description

At the Capital Region of Denmark, Nordsjællands Hospital, Region Hovedstaden, DETECTIVE is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Package 2. As DC7, your research objectives are:

• To evaluate a multicenter surveillance implementation of standardized case identification protocols for surveillance of enterovirus infections.

• To conduct seroprevalence studies on biobank samples from the Danish National Biobank

• To collect and analyze structured results and data from the work other DCs in DETECTIVE

• To build data-driven models of population susceptibility, infection and transmission dynamics.

You will be guided during your research project by Prof Thea K. Fischer (University of Copenhagen, Demmark) and co-supervised by Dr. Margarita Pons Salort (Imperial College London, UK) with support provided by other relevant academic supervisors.

Requirements

- Master's degree in biomedical sciences, medicine, epidemiology, public health sciences or related fields. with the degree obtained no longer than four years before the application deadline. Exceptions can be made with documented career breaks (parental leave, illness, mandatory military/civil service).

- Experience with large epidemiological data and infectious diseases is highly beneficial. Prior exposure to virological laboratory techniques and/or epidemiological data analysis would be beneficial. Knowledge of molecular diagnostics or experience with surveillance data would give a running start in the project.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. See if you need a test of your English skills here: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/admission-requirements/language/

- An interest in self-development and working in a multidisciplinary research group and project.

- Have not resided/carried out work or studies in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before April 1st, 2027.

What we offer

• A contract with the Capital Region of Denmark, Region Hovedstaden, Denmark.
• The opportunity to work on large-scale research with motivated colleagues
• Planned secondments at University College of London (UCL, England) & National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands).
• Interdisciplinary network-wide training schools (one week each):
  1) Foundations in Virology, Bioinformatics and Epidemiology; 2) Advanced Integration of Scientific, Diagnostic and Public Health Virology, and 3) Translational Virology and connecting Academia, Clinical Practice and Public Health for Pandemic Preparedness.
• Individually tailored career development plan and personal empowerment program.
• The employment conditions will be equal to those of other PhD-researchers employed at the Capital Region of Denmark, Region Hovedstaden. The terms of employment are in accordance with agreements between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. You will be employed in accordance with the Collective Agreement for Academics Employed by the Danish Regions, etc. (Agreement No. 33.01.1).

Institutional information

• Application deadline is 8th October 2026.
• Start of employment is 1st March 2027.
• The DC will be employed as a PhD student at Nordsjællands Hospital and affiliated with the University of Copenhagen
• The place of work is the Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, 3400 Hillerød, Denmark. The DC is expected to work on-site and to live in Denmark during the employment.
• The DC is expected to participate in training schools and secondments and should expect to travel outside of Denmark as part of the employment.
• The position is full-time and restricted to 36 months.

Process of application and recruitment

To be considered for this position, applicants must complete BOTH application steps by 8 October 2026.

Step 1:

Complete the DETECTIVE Application Form and provide the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page)
• Details for two referees

VIA THIS LINK: application form

Step 2: Apply through the Capital Region of Denmark Recruitment System

Submit your application through the Capital Region of Denmark recruitment portal using the Apply button in the vacancy announcement. Complete the Capital Region of Denmark application form and submit the same documents as in the DETECTIVE application form.

Both application steps must be completed by 8 October 2026.

Applications that do not include submissions through both systems by the deadline may not be considered for evaluation.

Candidates will be shortlisted, with two rounds of interviews. The recruitment process is expected to close in December 2026.

Enquiries regarding the position of DC7 can be directed to Caroline Johannesen at Nordsjællands Hospital (caroline.klint.johannesen@regionh.dk). Enquiries regarding the recrutment process can be directed to project manager Outi Lyytinen outi.lyytinen@utu.fi.