PhD fellowship in Social Science of Health Promotion and Public Health

Department of Public Health invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in the complexities of women’s menopausal transitions. The project is part of the interdisciplinary research center Women in Healthy Transition (KISO).

Start date is (expected to be) June 1 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
It is well-documented that the physical body changes through menopause. For most women, this involves a weight gain and a redistribution of fat, particularly around the abdomen. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD fellow to join our research team for a qualitative study on menopause, body ideals and weight. This project will explore the complex relationships between societal body ideals and the experiences of women during the menopausal transition, focusing on weight gain. The study will address significant and socially relevant issues from a social science perspective, preferable inspired by sociology. Topics may include the medicalization of menopause and (over)weight, the moving menopausal body, the individualization of body projects and personal idealized weight, the role of being physical active, and the balance between healthy function and fit appearance. Using qualitative methods, the research will delve into the nuanced bodily experiences of women in and through menopause. The recruitment of women will be based on a nationwide survey (KISO SURVEY) conducted by the research initiative, Women in Healthy Transition.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for excellent candidates within the fields of social science of health promotion and public health. Applicants can have a background from sociology, public health, anthropology, psychology, or sport and exercise social science. Experience with and knowledge about qualitative methods will be needed.

Our group and research - and what do we offer?
The PhD student will be employed at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The PhD student will be affiliated with the section of Social Medicine which contribute to the development of health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation nationally and internationally.We investigate life course social, psychosocial, psychological, physiological and behavioural determinants of health and function, as well as the socioeconomic consequences of disease and functional decline, with a focus on social inequality. The PhD student will be part of the newly established research group Women’s Health and Menopause. We are located in Copenhagen and offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic research environment.

Principal supervisor isAssociate Professor Maria Hybholt, Department Public Health, [email protected]

Job description
Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme are:

• Conduct an independent qualitative research project under supervision.
• Complete PhD courses totaling approximately 30 ECTS / ½ FTE.
• Participate in collaborative and active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad.
• Engage in teaching and knowledge dissemination activities.
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals within the field of research in collaboration with colleagues.
• Write and defend a PhD thesis based on your project.
• Motivated letter of application (max. one page) including motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• 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
• Research plan (max. two pages; demonstrate your preferred suggestions for the qualitative project within the overall framework of menopause, body ideals, and (over)weight. Illuminate the specific purpose, theorical perspective and methods for 2-3 studies constituting the project).
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
We are looking for highly motivated applicants with the following competences and experiences:

• To be eligible for the regular PhD Programme (5+3 scheme), you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Public Health, Sociology, Anthropology, Social science of sport, exercise and health promotion, or related fields with excellent results. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
• The candidate will be self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as competent to collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary research team
• A creative and curious mindset with a strong interest in menopause, bodily aspects and health
• Fluency in Danish is a non-negotiable requirement from start to conduct the qualitative study
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English
• Prior experience and hands-on in any of the following areas is an advantage:
  • Qualitative methods (e.g. face-to-face individual interviews, observations, diaries, focus groups)
  • Theoretical understandings of societal problems

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

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 starts at approximately 30,700 DKK/Roughly 4,100 EUR (April 2024 level) plus pension.

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 12 March 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.
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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

The first round of job interviews is expected to be held in week 15

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

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

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kontakt
Maria Hybholt
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 12-03-2025

Ansættelsesdato: 01-06-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Public Health