PhD Scholarship in Human physiology, Environmental Health and Climate Change
We are looking for a PhD candidate with expertise in cardiovascular physiology (medical doctor or human physiology/biology educational background) and willingness to work in an international interdisciplinary project (ICARUS) investigating the relationship between individual physiology, psychology and thermal resilience. The position is part of a larger multidisciplinary project (named ICARUS after the greek myth), which will study the interactions between climate change, individual physiology, psychology, and its importance for improving the mitigation of health threats associated with global warming. The project will combine expertise in physiology, pharmacology, photobiology, psychology, behavioral science, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and aims to develop an improved framework for identifying individuals at risk, but also for improving advice adherence and effective mitigation measures.
The successful PhD candidate will work closely with Lars Nybo, Professor in Human Physiology, and will be responsible for developing and collecting physiological data (primarily cardiovascular parameters of relevance for heat tolerance and its importance for resilience to orthostatic stress and maintainance of cognitive function). The work will include echo-cardiographis assessment of heart function. In addition the candidate will have the change to work with methodologies to assess heat tolerance, obtain human biological material (e.g. skin biopsies and blood sampling to evaluate effects of UV-exposure and risk-taking behaviors such as ”sun-seeking”). The candidate will also be expected to participate in field and lab studies in Greece in collaboration with Professor Andreas Flouris.
Preferred skills include experience with human physiological experiments and assessment of cardiovascular function (with ultra sound Doppler and echocardiography). Applicants can have a background in medicine, human physiology or an equivalent education and is expected to have experience with conducting research independently as well as good ability to collaborate with peers.
Other collaborators and members of the ICARUS project are Professor Rosa Ellen Lavelle-Hill (University of Basel), Professor Andreas Flouris (University of Thessaly), and Associate Professor Catharina Lerche (Bispebjerg Hospital).
The preferred starting date is 1 November 2024 but an earlier or later starting date might also be possible.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
You will join a department with a strong record in conducting human physiological experiments and both via the Icarus project and collaboration within the research group you will collaborate with experts in thermal and cardiovasvular physiology.
The group is a part of Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and [XX].
Principal supervisor is professor Lars Nybo, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, email: nybo@nexs.ku.dk
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. medicine, human biology or physiology. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in human physiology and particularly the importance of cardiovascular function.
- Good language skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Specify your experience with human experiments and methods to evaluate cardiovascular function.
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if possible)
- Reference letters (if available)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 1 September 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 42.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.