The OBELISK project (https://obeliskproject.eu) , funded under the Horizon Europe programme, investigates the life-course development and long-term economic consequences of childhood obesity. It brings together harmonised longitudinal cohort data, federated data infrastructures, and advanced modelling techniques to understand how early-life growth trajectories influence long-term health and socioeconomic outcomes.

At the heart of OBELISK is Work Package 1 (WP1): Cohorts & Trajectories, which supports the development of a harmonised data infrastructure and advanced life-course modelling tools. WP1 aims to:

1. Manage and expand a European catalogue of longitudinal cohorts and clinical studies from early life onwards (including parents and offspring), enriched with biological, social, economic, and health-related variables relevant to childhood obesity;
2. Harmonise anthropometric trajectory methods across cohorts, focusing on repeated measures of height, weight, and body composition from birth by sex and ethnicity;
3. Combine econometric and epidemiological approaches to model the health and economic costs of childhood obesity across key life stages (toddler, adolescent, young adult, adult), incorporating polygenic and socioeconomic risk factors;
4. Develop dynamic microsimulation models to simulate public health interventions and evaluate the long-term impact of alternative policy scenarios.

The selected postdoctoral researcher will join the OBELISK economic modelling team at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. They will contribute primarily to the development of dynamic microsimulation models to project the health and economic consequences of childhood obesity trajectories and simulate the effects of different policy interventions over the life course. The position also involves close collaboration with partners responsible for trajectory modelling and federated data infrastructure, and integration of causal and econometric approaches to life-course modelling.

This is a full-time research-only position with no teaching obligations.

• PhD in economics, applied econometrics, public health, or a related quantitative discipline
• Experience in microsimulation, causal inference, or health policy evaluation
• Proficiency in statistical programming using R or Stata
• Experience working with longitudinal or panel data
• Strong interest in producing policy-relevant research in health and economics
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work both independently and in interdisciplinary, international teams

Applicants must have authored a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 peer-reviewed publications.

The gross annual salary for this position is €80,005.06. Researchers who have spent more than 3 years abroad (outside Italy) may be eligible for a favourable tax regime under Italian law, which significantly reduces the effective tax rate for returning researchers.

This position is funded from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101080465.