Fully funded PhD studentship in the epidemiology of eating disorders

Mental Health Center Ballerup seeks a researcher to join a strong international research environment in eating disorders, starting from March 2024 or soon thereafter. The position will be offered at 100% FTE.


The position

This is a fully funded PhD studentship of 3 years, resulting from a competitive award from the Capital Region of Denmark. Funding includes PhD fees and a salary.

The project focuses on studying the longitudinal course of Binge eating and Binge eating disorder across population-based cohorts in Denmark and abroad (including the Copenhagen County Cohort (CCC-2000) and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)); as well as prospective outcomes including physical health and quality of life.

The project will use a combination of data collected as part of two population-based cohorts and registered data.

You will join a dynamic and growing team and work across the Center for Eating and feeding Disorders Research-CEDaR. The team is multidisciplinary and international, and it includes researchers working in neuroscience, psychotherapy, genetics, and epidemiology.

You will report to the Head of CEDaR (Prof Nadia Micali) and benefit from an extensive network of collaborations both within the unit, Denmark and abroad.


Tasks

You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the research project leading to the award of a PhD. There will also be opportunities to become involved in other projects in the Center related to your research field.

You will have diverse tasks and responsibilities, including devising statistical analyses plans, carrying out data analysis, writing manuscripts etc. in collaboration with in-house, national and international collaborators.

You will also contribute to other projects running within the center.


Environment

The Center for Eating and Feeding Disorders Research (CEDaR) is a multicultural and multidisciplinary team recently set up with a large portfolio of grants, across epidemiological, genetic, neuroimaging, and clinical intervention studies in feeding and eating disorders. We are a dynamic, collaborative, and international team, that is rapidly growing. The unit has several international collaborations with the UK, US, Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland.

Research in eating disorders is a highly prioritized research area of the Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark. We have a strong commitment to perform research at the highest international level with the aim of providing new insights into what causes eating disorders and better treatments for patients.


Qualifications

The ideal applicant:

• Will be highly motivated to drive and pursue research in eating disorders
• Has an MSc in Public Health/Epidemiology
• Is an enthusiastic researcher, with some experience in carrying out research in eating disorders research [desirable]
• Has strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Is self-directed and proactive
• Has demonstrated strong communication and presentation skills
• Has basic knowledge of statistics and data analysis
• Has excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with at least one article published or in preparation
• Fluency in Danish is desirable but not required
  

Conditions

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisations.

The position is in accordance with best Danish labour practices, including a 37-hour work week, six weeks of paid vacation per annum, funded parental leave, matched pension contributions, enrolment in national healthcare, and labour union representation.


Application procedure

The position is open for appointment until the 30th of March. Rolling interviews will be held as applications are received. The position is available at the earliest convenience.

Applications – including the required attachments – must be sent via the link provided. Only online applications will be accepted. Applications must be written in English.

The application must contain:

• a motivation letter
• a detailed CV
• degree certificates
• a complete and numbered list of publications
• two references

References will be obtained for the applicant who is the first choice for the position. The application will be evaluated by an assessment committee.

If you are interested in the position and want to know more, or are unsure about your CV fitting the position, contact the Head of the CEDaR Prof. Nadia Micali at [email protected] and/or Sarah Washbrook, PA to Prof Micali at [email protected].


Do you want to know more about us?

Since 2017, treatment of all adult patients with eating disorders in the Capital region has been located at Mental Health Centre Ballerup, and around one thousand patients are referred for treatment each year, making it one of the largest clinics for Eating Disorders in Europe.

Mental Health Center Ballerup is a part of Copenhagen University Hospital and one of nine departments, that provide treatment for mental disorders in the Capital Region of Denmark. The department consists of ten inpatient wards comprising 157 beds, nine outpatient clinics with several specialized functions and three research groups. We employ around 90 medical doctors and 80 psychologists in addition to nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and technical and administrative staff.