PhD Fellowship in Clinical Translational Metabolism at Department of Biomedical Sciences

The University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD fellow to commence February 1st 2023, or a soon as possible thereafter, at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Our group and research

The position is available in the Clinical Translational Metabolism Group headed by Professor Signe Torekov. In our group, weaim at bridging between biomedical research and clinical practice and prevention in obesity. By conductingclinical experimental interventions that characterizes and integrates the complex pathophysiology behind obesity, and by securing synergistic and fruitful collaborations, we strive to identify prevention, causalities and optimal treatment options for individuals living with obesity. 

You will be part of a team conducting large clinical trials within investigations of prevention and treatment of obesity published in highly cited medical journals (e.g. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2028198 ). Furthermore, you will be part of an international consortium within immuno-metabolism established between University of Copenhagen, Oxford University, UK and Karolinska Institute, Sweden. You can read more about the Torekov Group and our current projects here: https://bmi.ku.dk/english/research/endocrinology-and-metabolism/clinical-translational-metabolism/  

Project description

Disruption of the neurobiological body-weight defense system in chronic childhood-onset obesity

Children with obesity at age 2 have only 21% chance of escaping obesity. Since weight regain after weight loss is almost inevitably, due to our instant neurobiological defense against weight loss, focus on childhood-onset obesity is crucial. Interestingly, we have shown that a combination of exercise and analogue of the appetite-inhibiting neuroendocrine hormone GLP-1 can sustain healthy weight loss in adults with obesity. The overall purpose of this Phd project is therefore to reverse childhood-onset obesity by disrupting the neurobiological defense system against maintained weight loss in chronic obesity. By combining clinical cohorts of adolescents and adults with obesity and a randomized controlled trial of treatment with the GLP-1 anlogue semaglutide for childhood-onset obesity, we wish to disrupt the neurobiological defense system that, until now, have contributed to both the increased prevalence of childhood-onset obesity, and the low success rate of maintained weight loss in obesity. We envisage that the results from this PhD project will create a deeper understanding of the development of obesity and redirect focus from the stigmatization of the individual to our defense system against maintained weight loss and how to disrupt this defense system in obesity.

As a PhD student in our group you will together with the rest of the team, be responsible for recruiting and conducting clinical trials on a daily basis along with data-analysis and scientific manucript writing.

Principal supervisor isProfessor Signe Torekov

You will take important part in all the scientific aspects related to our studies. Thus, you will be deeply engaged in the scientific research development, generating new scientific questions to investigate, perform statistical analysis, interpretation of results, writing manuscripts for publication and scientific applications, communicating our scientific results and engaging with collaborators.

Profile

We are seeking an open-minded, enthusiastic candidate, who synergistically enjoy the scientific aspects and the clinical and practical aspects of research.

Requirements

• Master degree in health science (e.g. Medical doctor, human biology or physiology or similar). Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (BSc 3 years + MSc 2 years)
• Basic understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of obesity-related disorders
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral; proficient in English and preferable in Danish as well
• Strong scientific, analytical and technical skills
• Experience with large-scale data analyses, including skills in statistical computational environment such as R and SAS is a distinct advantage, but not a requirement
• Experience with clinical research is a distinct advantage, but not a requirement
• Team player with both an independent and collaborative mind-set
• Preferable experience with research conduction and writing scientific manuscripts

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment with local and international collaborators. Our research facilities include modern human, animal, and cell laboratories and a microscopy core facility.

Terms of employment

The employment as a PhD student is full time and a fixed-term position for 3 years.

Starting date is February 1st 2023 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

The “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of January 2020 covers the position.

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark. Read more at www.ism.ku.dk

Questions
For further questions about the job description and qualifications for the positions please contact professor Signe Torekov, E-mail: [email protected] TEL: +45 22983827.  

For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact [email protected]

Application procedure

Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. two page).

2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills, publications, abstracts, conferences, contact details for at least two references, and other skills relevant for the position.

3. A certified/signed copy Master´s Degree certificate

4. Research ideas within the context of the activities of the research group (see webpage) (max three pages)

Application deadline:  21 November 2022, 23.59pm CET

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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work is complete, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

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.