PhD Position in Sports Science

GIH hereby announces a PhD position in the field of Sports Science within Health Sciences.

Project Description:

The PhD project will be part of two ongoing research programs at the Department of Health Sciences at GIH. One is the research project PAradox, which aims to investigate physiological overload in individuals with physically demanding jobs. The other is WORK TOGETHER, with the overarching goal of improving the inclusion and effectiveness of a nationally implemented occupational health program. The overall responsible for both research projects is Professor Elin Ekblom Bak, who will also be the main supervisor.

The PhD project aims to create knowledge about health and sustainability in working life.

In the first part of the PhD project (PAradox), planning, implementation, and analysis of data from an 8-week observational study and a 12-week intervention study are included. The work involves contact with participants, data collection via questionnaires and work physiological tests, as well as measurements with sensors that record, among other things, heart rate and blood pressure. In the second part of the PhD project (WORK TOGETHER), planning and implementation of an intervention study with recruitment of participants, data collection via questionnaires and physical tests, as well as evaluation of the intervention's effect on physical activity levels, well-being, and physiological outcome measures are included. Both projects include individuals from the working population in physically demanding and vulnerable professions.

Research Environment:

The research environment includes junior and senior researchers with extensive experience in areas relevant to the projects, as well as collaboration with external actors. As a PhD student, you will receive close support from the surrounding network.

Eligibility for Doctoral Education:

To be admitted to doctoral education in sports science, the applicant must have:

• completed a degree at an advanced level, fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at an advanced level, or in some other way acquired equivalent knowledge within or outside the country
• the ability otherwise needed to complete the education.

High school grades equivalent to English 6 are a basic requirement. For applicants who do not have grades from a Swedish high school, a certificate of eligibility equivalent to English 6 from an internationally recognized language test (TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge ESOL) is required in accordance with the requirements on antagning.se. Any exceptions from the requirement for certificates are regulated on www.universityadmissions.se. Applicants with a master's degree from an English-speaking university or program do not need to provide proof of English language testing.

The basic eligibility must be fulfilled at the time of admission to doctoral education, no later than August 30, 2026.

Application:

The application for admission must include the following certified documents in PDF format:

• Degree certificate or other documents that support eligibility. A copy of the degree certificate must be attached in the original language as well as in English translation by an authorized translator (not applicable to Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, English).
• Certificate of eligibility equivalent to English 6 from an internationally recognized language test.
• Thesis at an advanced level (master's thesis).
• CV with a brief written motivation for the application based on educational background.
• Proposal for at least two references.

Selection:

Selection among the applicants will be made with regard to the ability to benefit from doctoral education. An important assessment criterion is the focus on higher education credits at the advanced level and the quality of the independent work at the advanced level. The assessment is based on the following established criteria:

• familiarity with relevant prior knowledge in the field of sports, physical activity, and health,
• theoretical awareness and familiarity with adequate methods,
• analytical ability,
• ability for critical thinking and problem formulation,
• written and oral communicative ability, and
• familiarity with ethical issues.

For this PhD position, the following will also be considered:

• experience in planning, implementing, and analyzing data from observational and intervention studies in the working population via their workplace,
• experience in data collection using wearable sensors and physiological measurement methods,
• experience in recruiting, managing, and contacting participants in research studies,
• experience in working within research projects focusing on physical activity, workload, or population health,
• documented ability to work independently and take responsibility for one's own tasks within a larger research project.

Duration/Working Hours:

Fixed-term employment for four years full-time (corresponding to 100 percent working hours) according to the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, Sections 1–7, with a start date no later than August 30, 2026.

Salary:

The salary is regulated by local collective agreements.

Application Deadline:

The application must reach GIH no later than April 7, 2026.

This is a shortened advertisement; to view the full advertisement, we refer to the GIH website.

Claimed merits must be verifiable upon request.

GIH promotes diversity and equality in all employment categories. We therefore welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

We kindly ask for no direct contact with staffing and recruitment companies or sellers of job advertisements.