Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in the section for Obesity Research commencing 01.06.2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Description of the scientific environment
The unit for obesity research undertakes basic and clinical research to investigate how appetite and energy metabolism is regulated, with the ultimate goal to improve our ability to prevent and treat obesity and related diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The research group investigates the effects of diets, physical activity pattern, sleep, stress, gastric bypass, gut microbiota, genetics and medicines on energy balance in individuals who are normal-weight, overweight or obese with/without metabolic complications both in short-term and long-term intervention studies as well as observational studies(Link: https://nexs.ku.dk/english/research/obesity-research)

Project description
The title of the project is ‘The relevance of the dietary matrix and dairy source calcium supplementation on bone health in postmenopausal women’. The aim is to investigate the association between the dietary matrix and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women and additionally, to investigate the effects of a dairy source calcium (Ca) supplementation in relation to the dietary patterns on maintenance of bone mineral density and on risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Dairy products are rich sources of Ca together with green leafy vegetables and small soft-boned fish (i.e. sardines habitually consumed with bones). Consumption of Ca is associated with increased bone health measured as BMD, but studies suggests that the health-related effects of single nutrients differ depending on the matrix of the food, bioavailability, type and amount of nutrient, processing method, and preservation. In relation to bone health, emerging evidence indicates that a dietary intake expressed as foods or whole diet to allow a potential matrix effect to be elucidated may be a more appropriate dietary intake measure compared with a single nutrient. Elucidating dietary registrations will allow us to investigate the association between optimal dietary patterns and BMD.

Supplementation with Ca is common among older adults. Inorganic Ca is widely used in fortification and supplementation of beverages and foods and the very low solubility of Ca carbonate is well described. With the current consumer interest in supplementation, there is a need to investigate alternatives and calcium enriched permeate from dairy side streams with a Ca and phosphate composition as of bone and teeth is an obvious choice. However, it is unknown how effective supplementation with Ca enriched permeate is, considering the habitual dietary patterns. Also, it is unknown if such supplementation has any adverse effects, i.e. on risk markers of cardio vascular disease (CVD).

The Phd-student will engage in collaboration with another PhD-student (project manager) to complete the study at NEXS and Køge Hospital. The PhD-student should statistically examine data and disseminate results where appropriate. Therefore, previous experience and qualifications within data handling and data analysis is of importance when evaluating qualifications for this PhD-position.

Principal supervisor isAssociate Professor Nina Geiker,Dept. of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, E-mail: [email protected], Direct Phone: 3532 4060.

Job description
The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:

• To manage and carry through your research project
• Attend PhD courses
• Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
• Teach and disseminate your research
• To stay at an external research institution for a few months, preferably abroad
• Work for the department
• Supervise bachelor students and to act as co-supervisor for master students

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates:

• A master’s degree preferably related to nutrition
• Data handling and statistical analysis
• Previous publications
• The grade point average achieved
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• Fluency in Danish (Scandinavian), both written and spoken.
• Project coordination and collection of data, as well as statistical qualifications

Formal requirements
Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Human Nutrition or equivalent with good results and good English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications, emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience.

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.
The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 331,125 (approx. €43,750) including annual supplement (+ pension at a minimum DKK 53,811). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

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

Please include

• Cover Letter, stating which PhD project you are applying for and detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project.
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Acceptance Letter for the relevant MSc Programme at SCIENCE, if any
• Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications (if any)
• 1-3 reference letters (if any) including full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email)

Reference letters must be uploaded by the applicant him/herself. The recruiting person must NOT obtain reference letters which content is not known to the applicant him/herself. This is against Danish law.

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

The deadline for applications is Monday 5 April 2021, 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. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science.

You can read more about the recruitment process athttp://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Questions
For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor Nina Geiker,Dept. of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, E-mail: [email protected], Direct Phone: 3532 4060.
General information about PhD programmes at SCIENCE is available at http://www.science.ku.dk/phd

Kilde: Jobnet.dk