Postdoc in Movement, Neuroscience and Sleep in Childhood

The section for Movement & Neuroscience at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, invites applicants for a postdoc position in the effects of sleep extension on learning, cognitive functions and neuroplasticity in childhood. The project is part of the research project “A randomized controlled trial of sleep extension to reduce overweight and improve learning in prepubescent children” (acronym: MORE2SLEEP), which is financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. (See relevant press release).

Start date is expected to be 15 July 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is time-limited to 31 December 2026.

The project
The postdoc position will be anchored in the More2Sleep study, which is a 3-month randomized controlled trial, assessing the effects of sleep extension on the health of 300 school-aged children. Half of the children will be randomized to 12-weeks of sleep extension intervention (facilitated by the parents), whereas the other half will act as control group. Measurements will be taken before and after the intervention (months 0 and 3), and after a 6-month follow-up (month 9). The focus of this Postdoc will be on the effects on outcomes related to neurophysiological measurements and neuroplasticity, learning and memory, although the project itself has a wider focus and also includes outcomes related to body weight homeostasis (body composition, energy intake and expenditure, diet and physical activity habits), measures of brain morphology based on MRI etc.

Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate is expected to participate actively in all parts of the trial, including but not limited to: upkeeping of regulatory paperwork, communicating with relevant entities (e.g. ethical committee), scheduling of participants’ visits (e.g. for information meetings, screening, and examinations), conducting these visits, performing the measurements and collecting data (e.g. Electroencephalography (EEG), Electromyography (EMG), polysomnography (PSG), cognitive tests, behavioural measures etc.), processing of data  upkeeping of the electronic database, performing statistical analysis, and writing up scientific papers.

Due to the nature of the project, feeling comfortable working with young children and their parents is a requirement. It is expected that the majority of participating children and their parents will be Danish nationals; therefore, fluency in oral and written Danish (native or C1/C2 equivalent) is required, as is fluency in oral and written English for the daily communication with the rest of the research team and for dissemination purposes (papers, conferences, thesis).

In order to obtain the position, the candidate should have a PhD within a research area relevant to the project e.g. within neurophysiology, cognitive neuroscience etc. Previous engagement in clinical trials or experimental studies involving human subjects, and particularly children will be an advantage. Experience with relevant methods for assessing learning and memory, cognitive functions, and neurophysiological techniques such as EEG, EMG and PSG, physical activity and sleep measures will be viewed upon as highly favourable during the assessment of applications.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The section of Movement & Neuroscience undertakes high-quality, small- and large-scale intervention trials and observational studies. Our work is broad and includes investigations of learning and memory, studies of motor control, neurophysiology, and plastic changes in the central nervous system during development, with ageing and as effect of interventions including motor training, physical activity, sleep etc. We use a variety of methods and tools to study humans across the lifespan.

The section is a part of the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment in the centre of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Jesper Lundbye-Jensen, Associate Professor in Motor Control and Neurophysiology, Head of Section, Movement & Neuroscience Tel +45 29611953, Email [email protected]

The position is open from 15 July 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Employment as postdoc is full time until 31 December 2026.

Employment is conditional upon your successful completion of a PhD degree within a relevant research topic.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 21 May 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

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

Interviews will be held in second half of June 2024..