Post-doctoratal Fellowship in Epidemiology and Public Health

**Unit**: U 1153 CRESS (Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics)

OPPaLE team (Obstetric, Perinatal, Paediatric Life Course Epidemiology)

**About the Hosting Structure**

OPPaLE is a research team from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) and the University of Paris Cité, part of the Center for Epidemiology and Statistical Research (CRESS). Our research focuses on women's health during pregnancy and its aftermath, child health related to birth context, and child health in routine pediatric care, both in France and internationally. Our work is based on epidemiological studies conducted in populations or healthcare settings, including an interventional study with families in situations of social vulnerability (ECAIL).

**Directors**CRESS : Pr Isabelle Boutron ; OPPaLE team : Pr Pierre-Yves Ancel

**Address**Equipe OPPaLE : 10 avenue de Verdun 75010 Paris

**Job description**

ECAIL is an ongoing randomized controlled trial (_ClinicalTrials.gov_; NCT03003117), designed by the OPPaLE team in collaboration with various stakeholders of the Malin program. The sample includes approximately 600 pregnant women experiencing social vulnerability, followed from pregnancy through their child’s 24 months of age. The primary objective is to test the hypothesis that the Malin program, delivered at home by dietitians, improves breastfeeding initiation and duration, as well as children's diet, lifestyle, and growth. The trial was launched in April 2017 at the Lille University Hospital, with a second research site opened in 2021 at Valenciennes Hospital. Fieldwork for the study is expected to be completed in 2026.

**The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the quantitative component of the ECAIL study, with the aim of strengthening the process evaluation of this complex public health intervention**.

The work will involve analyzing:

- eligibility and (non)participation in the study, as well as follow-up characteristics and attrition;
- the social vulnerability of the study population, in all its multidimensional aspects;
- the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of the intervention (mediation analyses).

The postdoctoral researcher will work in collaboration with all project partners, under the supervision of Sandrine Lioret, principal investigator of the ECAIL study and Inserm research director.

This work is part of the IReSP-SIP project (AAP-2022-SIP-311921) and the EQUI-START project, funded by AXA Foundation for Human Progress (_Fonds AXA pour le Progrès Humain_).

**Main Activities**
- Review the scientific literature related to the research topic.
- Data management: creation of indicators to be used in the analysis of intervention processes and participation in structuring the quantitative database of the ECAIL study (including producing documentation related to the created indicators and reviewing part of the code developed by other researchers).
- Contribute to the definition of research hypotheses, development of analysis plans, and conduct of statistical analyses using the R software
- Summarize and discuss findings.
- Participate in weekly operational meetings, as well as ECAIL Steering Committee and EQUI-START Executive Committee meetings.
- Contribute to the drafting of reports for funding agencies.
- Write scientific articles in English.
- Present findings at national and international conferences.
- Participation, where appropriate, in supervising students or interns.

**Environment** : Screen-based work - R software

**Knowledge and Expertise**:

- Background in intervention research in public health and implementation science.
- Proficiency in R software is a prerequisite.
- A good understanding of nutrition-related issues during pregnancy and early childhood would be an asset, as would familiarity with topics related to food insecurity.
- Languages: proficiency in English for reading, writing, and communicating results; proficiency in French for reading and writing.

**Skills**:

- Ability to plan activities, meet deadlines, and manage unexpected events.
- Ability to write reports.
- Ability to prepare manuscripts for submission to international peer-reviewed journals.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team and with external partners.

**Aptitudes**:

- Autonomy, initiative, and scientific rigor.
- Curiosity and a strong interest in research.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
- Strong organizational skills, with attention to deadlines and priorities.
- Analytical and synthesis skills, with excellent written communication abilities.

**Desired Experience**:

- Previous experience in intervention research will be an asset.
- Experience in writing scientific articles for peer-reviewed journals.

**Degree and Education Requirements** : PhD in Epidemiology, Public Health, or Biostatistics

**Starting date** :February 2026

**Duration of the Fixed-Term Contract** : 13 months, renewable 10 months

**Working Hours**
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