Postdoc in Behavioural Sciences and Physical Activity

The Research Unit Psychology of Sport, Excellence and Health (PSYCH) (https://www.sdu.dk/en/forskning/learning-and-talent-in-sport) and the Danish Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Science (DRIVEN: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/driven), Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU, invite applications for a position as postdoc in Behavioural Sciences and Physical Activity to be filled from September 1, 2024 to February 28, 2027.

The position

The candidate will have a leading role working on a project entitled “Promoting Physical Activity and Enhancing Wellbeing Through Digital Training with Self-Enactable Behaviour Change Techniques”. The aim of the project, funded by the Tryg Foundation, is to test the feasibility of training individuals to use self-enactable techniques to support their motivation and increase their physical activity behaviour. 

There will be three phases in this feasibility project: 

1. intervention co-development with end-users of a digital platform for delivering training in self-enactable techniques (months 1-12), 
2. feasibility testing of the training and of a new training fidelity checklist via a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial (months 13-23), and
3. data analysis and dissemination (months 24-30). 

We will assess changes in device-measured physical activity, self-reported physical activity, motivation for physical activity, psychological and physical health. 

The successful candidate will work with our international research team and various collaborators to deliver this project. 

More information on self-enactable behaviour change techniques can be found here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338564041_The_compendium_of_self-enactable_techniques_to_change_and_self-manage_motivation_and_behaviour_v10

Specific role duties include:

1. Being the recruitment lead for the first two phases of the project.
2. Leading the development of the scientific part of the platform, particularly focusing on the implementation of specific self-enactable behavior change techniques.
3. Travelling, when needed, to interviews or recruiting participants.
4. Analyses of quantitative and qualitative data from this project.
5. Being the liaison between the research team and the digital platform company.
6. Leading project dissemination activities such as conference presentations, dissemination reports, and manuscripts for academic journals.

The candidate will also be expected to participate in and contribute to the life of the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics as well as to initiatives and activities of DRIVEN, such as meetings, seminars and other related events.

For information on postdoc positions at the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics in general, please click.

Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

Essential:

• A PhD degree in physical activity and health, health psychology, public health or related disciplines
• Research experience related to a) behaviour change techniques and b) digital interventions for health, ideally documented by research outputs in peer-reviewed journal articles
• Excellent English written skills
• Experience with analyses of qualitative data 
• Experience with project management of research activities

Desirable:

• Experience in using accelerometers to collect physical activity data
• Experience with co-creation and user involvement in health-related projects

About us

The Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics adheres to SDU's strategy and values, see https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/sdus_profil/strategi.  Our department is recognized for our interdisciplinary research. The scientific, technical and administrative staff support this through active participation in the department's professional and social life. We prefer candidates with the ambition to make mutual working relationships thrive.

Further information and contact

Non-Danish speaking applicants will be offered free language classes in the Danish Language.

For further information, please contact professor Nikos Ntoumanis, Head of DRIVEN, tel: +45 65504525, e-mail [email protected]  if you have any questions related to the project, professor Kristoffer Henriksen, Head of Research Unit, tel: +45 6550 3497, e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions about being a member of the research unit, or professor Jens Troelsen, Head of Department, tel: +45 6550 3493, email [email protected]  if you have any general questions about being an employee of IOB/SDU.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now".

The application must include (as PDF files) (please note that the application (the motivation letter) and CV must not exceed 10 MB in total):

• A motivation letter (application)
• A detailed CV
• Copies of degree certificates (including PhD diploma, all documents combined in a single PDF file) 
• References
• A complete and numbered list of publications
• Up to 3 scientific peer-reviewed publications which the candidate considers as most important for this position. 

If you experience technical problems, you must contact [email protected] 

Only applications submitted online and written in English will be accepted for evaluation.

Incomplete applications will neither be considered nor evaluated.

Shortlisting will be used in the recruitment process. 

Employment

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

Living and working in Denmark

Foreign applicants will be offered Danish language training as part of the employment. 

The International Staff Office (ISO) at SDU provides a variety of services for new employees, guests and people who consider applying for a job at the University of Southern Denmark. Among other things, the staff answers questions concerning salary, taxation, housing and accompanying family.

The University of Southern Denmark wishes to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.