The Danish Centre for Health Economics (DaCHE) at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark is looking for applicant for two full time fully financed PhD positions. Start date is 1st of September 2026 or soon thereafter.
We are looking for persons with a master’s degree or equivalent in economics, health economics, data science, public health, or a related field.
Research environment
The Danish Centre for Health Economics is dedicated to applying empirical methods, as well as economic theory, to answer research questions with high health policy relevance, and to contribute to the improvement of the methods applied. Our main research themes are 1) health related behaviour, incentives and motivation; 2) understanding barriers and facilitators that hinder/enhance equity in health and access to health care; 3) eliciting patients' and the publics' preferences and values; 4) evaluating costs and effects of new interventions/policies and 5) measuring burden of disease. We offer courses at the bachelor, master or PhD level in Health Economics, Evaluation, Economic Evaluation, Economics of Prevention, Pharmacoeconomics and Registry Analysis. We are looking for candidates who have the desire and competences to play a whole-hearted role in our enthusiastic research environment.
For more information on the people at DaCHE and our research portfolio, please visit our website at www.dache.dk.
Project description
Do you want to contribute to the challenging task of prioritizing in health care? Both PhD projects will address the prioritization of health care and the elicitation of citizens’ preferences through robust quantitative research. One of the projects employs causal inference methods to identify the implications of drug shortages and supply security, while both projects leverage advanced stated preference methodologies.
PhD Project 1:
Identification and quantification of the consequences of medical disruptions for patient health and health system performance using causal inference approaches.
Elicitation of citizens’ valuations of supply security employing appropriately designed stated preference methods.
Elicitation of citizens’ valuations of health improvements employing appropriately designed stated preference methods.
Elicitation of efficiency-equity trade-offs
Identifying the importance of altruism in shaping citizens’ preference
PhD Project 2:
Elicitation of citizens’ valuations of health improvements employing appropriately designed stated preference methods.
Elicitation of efficiency-equity trade-offs
Identifying the importance of altruism in shaping citizens’ preference
Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, health economics, data science, public health, or a related field
Strong proficiency in quantitative methods, including statistical analysis and econometrics
Experience with survey design and preference elicitation techniques is an advantage
Familiarity with causal inference methods and/or health care data analysis is desirable
Excellent written and spoken English
Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team
Previous research experience is an advantage
Further information
For further details about the positions, please contact Professor Dorte Gyrd-Hansen dgh@sdu.dk, Trine Kjær tkj@sdu.dk or Søren Rud Kristensen srkristensen@health.sdu.dk
Applications must include:
• At letter stating the interest, motivation and qualifications for the project (max. 2 pages) - upload under “Application form”.
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Certified copy of diploma (Master’s degree in a relevant field)
Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.
Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.
Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.
Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.
Closing date 15th of June 2026
Successful candidates will be asked to send an application to the PhD Secretariat, Faculty of Health Sciences, to be enrolled as PhD students.
The PhD programme will be carried out in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order)
Salary and Working Conditions at SDU
PhD students employed at SDU are employed as PhD fellows according to the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations in public employment (AC) agreement.
Salary and any salary supplement are paid according to your seniority level and as negotiated with your union representative. The base salary (excluding 18.07% pension contribution) is DKK 374,912.98.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
