Application Guide
How to Apply for Student Assistants, Phone Interviews, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention
at Statens Serum Institut
🏢 About Statens Serum Institut
Statens Serum Institut (SSI) is Denmark's national public health institute, uniquely positioned under the Ministry of Interior and Health to directly impact national health policy and outbreak response. Working here means contributing to real-time public health protection during foodborne outbreaks, with your work directly informing epidemiological investigations that protect communities. The institute's dual focus on both research and immediate public health action creates a dynamic environment where academic work meets practical application.
About This Role
This role involves conducting structured telephone interviews with patients affected by foodborne outbreaks to gather critical epidemiological data that helps trace contamination sources and prevent further spread. You'll balance this investigative work with essential administrative tasks like archiving interview records and registering case information, directly supporting SSI's outbreak response teams. Your flexible scheduling allows you to work during peak outbreak investigation periods when timely data collection is most crucial.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might begin by reviewing assigned cases from ongoing foodborne outbreak investigations, then conducting structured telephone interviews with affected patients to gather detailed exposure histories and symptom information. Between interviews, you'd document findings in the case management system, archive completed interview records, and potentially assist with data quality checks for the epidemiological team. Your schedule might include evening shifts when patients are more available, with flexibility to adjust hours based on both outbreak needs and your academic commitments.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Statens Serum Institut Is Looking For
- A current university student in public health, epidemiology, medicine, or related fields who can articulate how this role complements their studies
- Someone with clear, empathetic phone communication skills who can gather sensitive health information while maintaining professional boundaries
- A detail-oriented individual comfortable with both structured interview protocols and routine administrative tasks like data entry and document organization
- A flexible scheduler who specifically mentions availability for afternoon/evening shifts and weekends when outbreak investigations often intensify
📝 Tips for Applying to Statens Serum Institut
Explicitly mention your current student status and field of study in your application, as this role is designed for students
Describe any experience with structured data collection or phone-based work, even from non-medical contexts (like customer service or surveys)
Provide specific examples of your flexibility by mentioning your availability for evening/weekend shifts and how you've balanced work with studies previously
Reference SSI's specific mission regarding infectious disease prevention rather than using generic public health language
Highlight any familiarity with medical terminology or health data, even from coursework, as this will be relevant during patient interviews
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Demonstrate understanding of how telephone interviews contribute to outbreak investigation and public health protection', 'Explain how your student schedule aligns with the flexible hours required, including specific availability for evening/weekend shifts', 'Connect your academic background to the practical skills needed for both interviewing and administrative tasks', "Express genuine interest in SSI's specific work with foodborne diseases rather than general public health"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Recent foodborne outbreaks SSI has investigated in Denmark (check their news/press release section)
- → SSI's specific role in Denmark's infectious disease surveillance system and how it differs from other health agencies
- → The types of pathogens commonly involved in foodborne outbreaks in Denmark (like Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Listeria)
- → How SSI collaborates with other agencies like the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration during outbreaks
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without acknowledging the flexible hours requirement or indicating limited availability for evenings/weekends
- Using generic public health interest statements without mentioning SSI's specific focus on infectious diseases and outbreak investigation
- Focusing only on the administrative aspects while neglecting the telephone interview component and its importance to outbreak response
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Statens Serum Institut!