PhD fellowship focusing on healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy to prevent childhood obesity. The PRE-STORK-Tri...

A PhD fellowship is available at the Clinical Translational Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (SDCC) in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. We are looking for a candidate with a relevant academic background within the field of exercise physiology and with interest in clinical metabolic research. The position is available from September 1, 2024. SDCC is the largest diabetes centre in Denmark and is organised in four units: Dept. of Diabetes Care, Dept. of Clinical Translational Research, Dept. of Prevention, Health Promotion and Community Care, and Dept. of Education. The Clinical Translational Research department consists of five research groups with different research areas. The clinical studies in this PhD will be carried out at SDCC at Herlev Hospital in collaboration with Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

The project

Globally, the prevalence of overweight has tripled since 1975, one of three Danish women are overweight at the time of pregnancy and almost one out of five children are obese. Interestingly, maternal obesity before conception, excessive bodyweight increase during pregnancy and general physical inactivity are some of the risk factors suspected of infant adiposity. Lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have shown limited or no effect in the offspring and renewed effort to improve the prevention of childhood obesity is warranted. The PRE-STORK-trial will investigate whether intensive, tailored multifactorial lifestyle intervention with diet-induced weight loss, increased physical activity and mentoring in women with overweight or obesity and their partners, before and during planned pregnancy can reduce neonatal fat mass and childhood obesity. The current PhD project will focus on training-related effects of pre-conceptional exercise and exercise throughout pregnancy on cardiometabolic risk markers, pregnancy complications and quality of life.

Job description 

The responsibilities of the PhD student will in short consist of: 

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate with scientific experience, good analytical and writing skills as well as excellent collaboration skills. Experience with developing intensive lifestyle interventions, behavioural change counselling, designing exercise programs, overseeing exercise compliance data and thorough knowledge about human physiology is an advantage. The candidate should speak and write fluent Danish and English.

Recruitment and employment

Deadline for application is May 16, 2024, and eligible candidates will be invited to an interview. The employment is in accordance with the Capital Regions collective agreements. The position is offered from September 1st, full-time and for a period of three years.

Contact and Information

For further information please contact Professor Tina Vilsbøll (@).

About Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (SDCC) is an internationally leading diabetes hospital in the Capital Region. SDCC specialises in patient care, research, diabetes prevention, and in the education of healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes. SDCC is the largest diabetes hospital in Scandinavia and treats more than 12,000 people with diabetes from the Capital Region on a yearly basis and is physically located in the immediate vicinity of Herlev Hospital. For more information, please visit