Post doctoral position in biostatistics / psychometrics

Nantes Université; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious French university in Nantes is seeking a post-doctoral researcher for a 22-month contract focused on developing methods for analyzing response shifts in self-reported outcomes. Candidates with a PhD in biostatistics or psychometrics and prior experience in health research are encouraged to apply. The position offers a stimulating environment and opportunities for interdisciplinary work.

Prestations

Access to a high-performance computing environment

Opportunities for statistics teaching

Transport subscription support

Access to university dining services

Qualifications

• PhD in biostatistics or psychometrics.
• Previous experience in health research and psychometrics is mandatory.
• Strong knowledge of latent variable models.
• Proficiency in Statistical programming in R or Stata.

Responsabilités

• Perform simulation studies to assess method performance.
• Develop open-source solutions to disseminate research methods.
• Work on data visualization preferences for promoting results.

Connaissances

PhD in biostatistics or psychometrics

Previous experience in health research and psychometrics

Strong knowledge of latent variable models

Proficiency in Statistical programming in R or Stata

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Ability to propose original research directions

Formation

PhD or equivalent

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Nantes Université Department Sphere Research Field Medical sciences » Other Psychological sciences » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 14 Dec 2025 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37h15 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Faced with a major life event, people may change how they interpret and evaluate their anxiety or quality of life when responding to self‑reported outcomes, a phenomenon called response shift. Most of response shift analyses based on statistical methods consider two measurement occasions. Yet, changes of self‑reported outcomes over time are often assessed over multiple time points. In this context, the trajectory of the construct is continuons by essence and response shift could be envisioned as a continuons process.

Furthermore, the study timescale has often to be treated as continuons rather than as discrete with equally spaced time points. Methods capable of detecting and adjusting for response shift over multiple time points in studies with continuons timescales are lacking.

The U1246 SPHERE research unit of Nantes Université is seeking a talented post‑doctoral researcher to join us to develop a method for response‑shift analysis at the item level in longitudinal self‑reported outcomes studies across multiple time points. The post‑doctoral grant (full‑time, 22 months) is sponsored by the French National Research Agency (ANR). Objectives and missions :

• Perform simulation studies to assess the performance of the method
• Develop open‑source solutions to disseminate the method to the widest possible audience
• Work data visualization preferences and understanding of the results to promote knowledge translation

Work Environment

The methodS in Patient‑centered outcomes & HEalth ResEarch (SPHERE - UMR 1246) research unit aims to strengthen the development of methods for patient‑centered health research in a multidisciplinary perspective. The unit is structured into four thematic axes. The project will be embedded within Axis 3, dedicated to methods for the measurement and interprétation of Self‑Reported Outcomes.

What We Offer

• A stimulating multidisciplinary environment
• Access to a high‑performance scientific computing environment
• Opportunities to gain experience in statistics teaching (if desired)

Duration of contract : 22 months

Where to Apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Other Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Education and research background:

• PhD in biostatistics or psychometrics
• Previous experience in health research and psychometrics is mandatory

Technical skills :

• Strong knowledge of latent variable models
• Proficiency in Statistical programming in R or Stata
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Strong ability to propose original research directions and methodological approaches
• Open science practices will be appreciated

Specific Requirements

Open science practices will be appreciated

Languages

• ENGLISH Level Excellent
• FRENCH Level Excellent

Research Field Medical sciences » Other Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

• Commitment to professional equality, diversity and inclusion and addressing gender‑based and sexual violence
• Membership in the EUniWell European Alliance committed to wellness
• Certified HR Excellence in Research since 2022 as part of the HRS4R strategy
• Transport subscription up to 75 % supported
• Sustainable mobility package, in line with the institution’s commitment to sustainable development
• Access to university restaurants with a preferential rate
• Access to sports, university libraries and other activities on campus

Eligibility Criteria

• Deadline for receipt of applications : December 14th 2025
• Terms of application and communication with the candidate :
  • Application link : [e-mail]
  • Link to the Nantes Université job offers page : https://www.univ-nantes.fr/universite/recrutement/recrutement-personnels-enseignants-et-recherche

The candidate must send the following material in English :

• A curriculum vitae including educational background, professional experience, and contact information for two references

1 QUAI DE TOURVILLE, BP 13522, 44035 NANTES CEDEX 01