PhD Student in Medical Science with a Focus on Sports Science and Fitness

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. There are about 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We unite in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations.

Workplace Description

The research group focuses on developing care in complex situations and healthcare environments.

Read more about the group here (#).

Within the research area “Child's Physical Function,” we start from the child's natural need for physical activity and the child's development of movement patterns during growth. The research leader is Associate Professor Åsa B Tornberg. Read more here (#).

We hereby seek a PhD student in medical science with a focus on sports science and fitness. The position is 100% full-time. Start date is March 1, 2026, or by agreement. Salary will be determined in accordance with the current salary scale for PhD students at Lund University. Applicants who are called for an interview may be asked to perform tests to demonstrate basic competencies for the position.

Research Project Description

In the research project, we will investigate how children with cerebral palsy (CP) can increase their opportunities for physical activity, which can lead to improved health and well-being. Children and young people with disabilities are a vulnerable group in society. Therefore, collaboration with research actors, healthcare, and user organizations is included in the design of the study. In the planned research project, the child will be at the center. We will develop a training program together with children and parents, which can be implemented at home with the help of an e-health solution. The project will also study the effects of exercise in two different groups of children: those with mild CP (with walking ability) and children without disabilities.

We Offer

Read more on the university's website about being employed with us, Work with us (#).

Job Responsibilities and Areas of Responsibility

• Plan the project, conduct data collection, analyze and compile data, and report results in internationally recognized scientific journals.
• Summarize the PhD project in a framework narrative in English and present it in a doctoral thesis.
• Complete necessary courses at the doctoral level, actively participate in seminars and other relevant activities, and familiarize oneself with literature relevant to the research area.
• Actively participate in communication and translation of research results to various target groups, both within and outside the research community.
• Participate in relevant activities and assignments within the research group and the Department of Health Sciences.
• Conduct relevant travels both domestically and internationally.
• Other tasks may also occur.

Qualifications

Requirements for the Position:

• Licensed healthcare professional or education in sports science, exercise physiology, or equivalent.
• Good computer skills, e.g., SPSS, Microsoft Office.
• Good knowledge of spoken and written Swedish and English.
• High degree of independence, accuracy, and ability to collaborate.
• Personal suitability.

Meritorious for the Position:

• Interest and documented practical experience in work and/or research on objectively measured physical activity.
• Documented experience working with the analysis program R.
• Documented experience working with the R package GGIR.
• Documented experience working with exercise physiology tests such as indirect calorimetry and accelerometry.
• Documented experience working with children in habilitation and/or healthcare.

Eligibility

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is held by those who have: completed a degree at the advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country. The doctoral education board may grant exceptions from the requirement for basic eligibility for individual applicants if there are special reasons. The requirements for specific eligibility should refer to knowledge from basic higher education or equivalent but may also refer to specific professional experience. In addition, sufficient knowledge in the subject area for doctoral education is required. The requirements for specific eligibility are met by those who have at least 60 higher education credits in the subject area of medical science. Students with non-Nordic basic degrees must have knowledge equivalent to 3 years of upper secondary education in English (passed exam) if the mother tongue is other than English.

Assessment Criteria

Regulations for employment as a PhD student can be found in the regulation SFS 1998:80. Only those who are admitted to doctoral education may be appointed as holders. In the appointment, primary consideration shall be given to the degree of ability to benefit from doctoral education and personal suitability. In addition to the obligation to devote oneself to one's own doctoral education, the holder may be required to perform duties related to education, research, and administrative work according to specific provisions in the regulation.

The Faculty of Medicine is an area of operation within Lund University, responsible for education and research in medicine, care, and health. Education is conducted in close collaboration with healthcare and is well anchored in the faculty's strong research tradition. The faculty's research spans a wide field of experimental basic research, patient-centered clinical research, and health sciences research. The Faculty of Medicine, with over 1,800 employees and 2,700 students in Lund, Malmö, and Helsingborg, is a knowledge-intensive meeting place for students, teachers, and researchers from around the world.

At the Department of Health Sciences, we work to increase knowledge about how people can regain and maintain their health. We educate the future care and rehabilitation personnel in all categories at the undergraduate, advanced, and doctoral education levels. We research what concerns people's health: prevention, treatment, care, support, and rehabilitation. The activities are located in both Malmö and Lund and have a close connection to healthcare within Skåne University Hospital, primary care, and municipal care.

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