Phd Student or Junior Researcher

Die Universität von heute, für das Wissen von morgen
UMIT TIROL - Private University for Health Sciences and Technology is an accredited private university owned by the Province of Tyrol and the Leopold-Franzens-University Innsbruck with its headquarters in Hall in Tirol, Austria. UMIT TIROL is an internationally recognized university with a focus on Health Sciences, Life Sciences und Health Care Technologies.
The Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment (Head: Univ.Prof. Dr. Uwe Siebert) of the Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment is currently seeking to appoint a
PhD Student or Junior Researcher (master’s degree) in Public Health and Epidemiology
to commence on the 1st of January 2026 and initially limited to three years in full-time or part-time (100%, 75% or 50%); an extension is possible and is being sought.
The position is affiliated with the EU-Horizon Europe project PUREPOLIS, as well as other research initiatives in the context of environmental & climate change and health.
The PUREPOLIS project aims to develop innovative, stakeholder-driven strategies for reducing urban pollution and improving public health across Europe. UMIT TIROL’s work focuses on evaluating the health, social, environmental, and economic impacts of policy and/or population-level measures to reduce air pollution exposure in two case study cities, using frameworks and tools to support evidence-informed decision-making.
This involves activities such as identifying key decision criteria and exploring potential unintended consequences through stakeholder workshops, conducting systematic and scoping reviews to meet the informational needs of decision-makers, and assessing the impact of implemented zero-pollution measures using quasi-experimental studies, as well as integrating findings into the design of decision-support tools for urban policymakers. The PhD research will focus on all or selected tasks within the responsibility of UMIT TIROL.
Depending on the applicant’s profile and interests, additional activities (evidence synthesis, quantitative, or qualitative research) in the context of climate change and health may be possible.
**Your tasks**:

- Participation in the Institute’s EU-Horizon research project PUREPOLIS, as well as other national and international research projects in the fields of public health and epidemiology, with a particular focus on climate change and health.
- Conducting scientific analyses, including scoping and systematic reviews, and evidence-based evaluations. Conducting quantitative data analyses and evaluations on the impact of zero-pollution measures using quasi-experimental methods based on routine data,

and/or
organizing and conducting workshops, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) to identify key decision criteria, explore potential unintended consequences, and understand the informational needs of policymakers.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of quality assurance processes, as well as data collection, management, and preparation.
- Performing project management tasks and reporting for the PUREPOLIS project, and contributing to publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Participating in teaching and academic program organization, including in the areas of Public Health and Health Data & Decision Science, the UMIT TIROL Academy Program, and continuing education initiatives, and grant writing

**Your profile**:

- Training or professional experience in (i) conducting systematic evidence syntheses (e.g., systematic reviews) on public health interventions, and/or (ii) qualitative research, ideally involving the organization and facilitation of workshops, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs), and/or epidemiologic or econometric evaluation of policy and other population-level interventions using quasi-experimental study designs (e.g., difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity design, interrupted time series).
- Additional qualifications or professional experience in evidence-informed decision-making for policy or public health interventions are desirable (e.g., guideline development, multi-criteria decision analysis, public health ethics, health technology assessment).
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks in parallel, with attention to detail and a systematic approach, as well as the ability to communicate research findings to diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to work effectively within a team to achieve timely and meaningful objectives.
- Strong commitment to interdisciplinary, team-oriented research.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Experience with statistical analysis using software such as R (or similar), qualitative data analysis software such as MAXQDA, and with literature management tools such as Zotero or EndNote.
- Optional, but preferable: