PhD fellowship in the success of ceramic reconstructions on endodontically treated teeth

The Department of Odontology offers a PhD fellowship at the Section of Oral Health, Society and Technology commencing on 1 February 2024, or after agreement.

Information about the Department of Odontology and the research section can be found here.

Our group and research
We conduct health-related interdisciplinary research that aims to improve patient treatment outcomes, thus bringing value for individuals and society towards a better oral-health-related quality of life.

Project description
Extensively destroyed endodontically treated teeth are traditionally rehabilitated with crowns anchored in the root canal using post-and-core build-ups, which rely at large on macro-mechanical retention. In contrast, the development of adhesive techniques has improved micro-mechanical retention to such an extent that enough retention can be provided to crowns designed and produced without post-and-core build-ups (i.e., endocrowns). Instead, these so-called endocrowns are anchored in the pulpal chamber via macro-retention combined with a high degree of micro-retention delivered by the adhesive technique. Considering the appropriate indication, endocrowns eliminate the need for the complicated and risky procedures involved in the preparation of the root canal. In this research project, which is a collaboration between the disciplines of Oral Rehabilitation and Dental Materials, the overall aim is to evaluate the success of endocrowns.

The specific aims of the project are:

• To investigate, in the laboratory, to what extent the total amount of supporting tooth structure and the remaining marginal enamel affect the success and survival of endocrowns under dynamic loading.
• To perform a detailed analysis of the ceramic and/or tooth fracture pattern.
• To assess the relationship between the success and survival of endocrowns and the ceramic materials’ properties.
• To evaluate endocrowns in a clinical study.

Accordingly, the PhD student will perform in vitro experiments using static and dynamic mechanical testing, digital imaging, and fractographic analysis. In parallel, the candidate will join and coordinate a randomized clinical trial that aims to compare the success of adhesively retained lithium disilicate endocrowns on endodontically treated teeth to traditional ceramic crowns anchored with post-and-core. All aspects of the project will comply with ethical and data management regulations.

Principal supervisor isassociate professor Ana Raquel Benetti, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen; e-mail: [email protected].

Start: 1 February 2024, or after agreement.

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student.

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are to:

• Carry out an independent research project under supervision.
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Participate in active research environments including a stay or visits to another research team.
• Collaborate with research teams outside the University of Copenhagen.
• Obtain experience with research-based teaching and dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Write a PhD thesis based on your project.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Applicants must have qualifications equivalent to a Danish master’s degree in Dentistry (e.g., two-year duration). Other requirements are the right to the independent practice of Dentistry in Denmark and at least 1 year of clinical experience. The candidate must be fluent in oral and written Danish, as all oral examinations and communication with patients will be conducted in Danish.

Certified copy of the original master’s diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.

Candidates with previous research and/or publication experience, as well as knowledge in the fields of dental ceramics, oral rehabilitation, and/or digital dentistry are preferred.

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved.
• Professional qualifications and/ or previous publications relevant to the PhD project.
• Relevant work experience.
• A curious mindset with a strong interest in the research field.
• English language skills.

Place of employment

The place of employment is the Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic research environment.

Terms of employment
The employment as a PhD fellow is full time (37 working hours per week in average) and for 3 years. The start date is February 1st, 2024, or after agreement.

The employment as a PhD fellow is full time (37 working hours per week in average) and for 3 years.

It is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrollment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, as well as a positive assessment of the 1-year research assistant position. Enrollment at the Graduate School requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant (for more information, please see https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/).

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree. Salary, pension, and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins at DKK 28,993 /approx. EUR 3,865 (October 2023-level) plus pension.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/.

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database. Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
4. Documentation for authorization to practice Dentistry independently in Denmark.
5. Publication list (if possible).

Application deadline: Wednesday 18 October 2023, 23.59 p.m. CET.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills, and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant will have the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

The applicants will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7,815 students, 2,113 researchers and 3,793 employees. The faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk