PhD in Healthy Ageing

Exercise Laboratories (XLAB), Department of Biomedical Science

We are seeking a skilled Master Student to commence an integrated flexible PhD system (3+5 or 4+4) from 1 November 2021.

Our group and research/description of the scientific environment
We focus on Human Integrative Physiology in Health and Disease. We make every effort to understand the metabolic and muscle remodeling behind exercise training, physical activity and diseases - from the whole body across organs, tissues, and cells to the intracellular environment.

The successful applicant will work with Ass. Prof. Steen Larsen. His primary research is focusing on mitochondrial physiology in combination with diabetes, aging and exercise.

You can read more about the work of the group www.xlab.dk .  

Project description
It is well known that Coenzyme Q10 (Q10) is important for electron transport inside the mitochondria, but Q10 also works as an antioxidant. Aging is linked to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), impaired glucose tolerance, chronic systemic inflammation and a reduced mitochondrial content, which partly can be explained by a reduced activity level and a reduced cardiorespiratory fitness. Besides from this, a reduced strength is also seen with aging. Finally, it is known that amyloid-beta (Aβ) increases with aging, and that Aβ is used as a biomarker for Alzheimers Disease (AD). Whether Q10 supplementation can counteract all these aging related processes has to some extend been investigated, but little is known about the uptake of Q10 into the skeletal muscle. To further understand this area, the aim of this PhD project is to investigate 12 weeks of Q10 supplementation with the primary focus on skeletal muscle adaptations, glucose homeostasis and inflammation.

Supervisors
The principal supervisor is Associate Professor Steen Larsen (DMSci., Department of Biomedical Sciences) [email protected] .
Co-supervisor is Professor Flemming Dela (DMSci., Department of Biomedical Sciences) [email protected] .

Please contact Steen Larsen if you have any questions related to the position.

Start: 1 November 2021
Duration: 5 years in a Flexible PhD system (3+5) or 4 years in a Flexible PhD system (4+4) 

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

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to 28-35 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
Essential criteria

• Conducting a Master’s degree within medicine, human biology or related discipline;
• Extensive knowledge in human physiology and prior experience in a research environment conducting human trials;
• Strong interpersonal and self-management skills;
• Excellent English language skills, both written and oral;
• Experience in taking blood samples and obtaining skeletal muscle and adipose tissue biopsies.

Desirable

• Previous Lab experience in analyzing mitochondrial respiration;
• Previous co-authorship in peer-reviewed publications;
• Experience with teaching and supervising students.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Exercise Laboratories, Maersk Tower, Panum Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer state of the art equipment and stimulating working conditions in a supportive research environment. 

Terms of employment
The employment of the Flexible PhD student is starting 1 November 2021. The process will begin with up to 3 years of integrated Master and PhD program (Part A). Followed by 2 years only as a PhD student (Part B).

It is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate 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.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD program (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 Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD project, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study 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:

Application deadline: 2 September 2021, 23.59pm 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 has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

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

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.