Two postdocs in Experimental Health Sciences - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Faculty of Medicine at Lund University is currently building Forum Medicum – a future medical & health sciences knowledge centre that will be completed in 2023. Forum Medicum includes a new infrastructure – the Movement and Reality Lab (MoRe Lab) – which will serve as an important platform for developing and establishing the innovative research specialisation of Experimental Health Sciences. The investment will enable unique and innovative interdisciplinary research in collaboration with other faculties and higher education institutions as well as parties outside academia. MoRe Lab will facilitate the study of the complex interplay between physical capabilities, behaviour, cognition and activity in different standardised or authentic environments. The research may cover evaluation of technology, such as walking rehabilitation equipment, motion sensors, e-health applications and robots for improving people’s capabilities and health in different environments. Research in Experimental Health Sciences is not discipline-specific but rather strives for interdisciplinary cooperation between traditional health sciences disciplines and other subjects that study aspects important for health. The research is characterised by boundary-crossing collaboration that integrates parties outside academia in the research process.

About the position

We are now seeking two postdocs in Experimental Health Sciences whose research is to be related to the area described above. The appointment is for a fixed term of two years and the scope is 100% of full-time. Costs that are related to overheads within the University are expected to be funded through teaching assignments in first, second and third cycle studies or through the successful candidate’s external funding. There may be possibilities to receive funds for the purchasing of equipment for Experimental Health Sciences research if it is considered to be of strategic importance for the establishment and development of the MoRe Lab. The position will be placed in one of the research teams at the Department of Health Sciences.

Mandatory qualifications

A person qualified for appointment as a postdoc has been awarded a PhD in Health Sciences/equivalent, or has an equivalent international qualification, or has a PhD in another subject area of relevance to Experimental Health Sciences. The degree is to have been completed no more than three years prior to the last date for applications. If special grounds exist, the degree can have been completed earlier. Special grounds include leave of absence because of illness, parental leave, clinical work, positions as elected representative in trade union organisations and other similar circumstances. Documented experience of research of relevance to Experimental Health Sciences is a requirement. In addition, good English language skills, both oral and written, are a requirement. Candidates with no command of Swedish or another Scandinavian language are expected to acquire basis language skills during the period of employment.

Additional qualifications

Previous experience of interdisciplinary research of relevance to Experimental Health Sciences is an additional qualification. The two people we seek are proactive, responsible, thorough, flexible, have good teamwork skills and are interested in collaborating with other researchers and parties outside academia in order to develop Experimental Health Sciences and the MoRe Lab.

The research plan is to be written in English (using Times New Roman 12 pt, single line spacing, max. 5 pages plus two pages of literature references) and the following headings are to be used:

Background and problem formulation: Describe in brief the current research situation in the problem area in question and state key references. Describe how the project connects to, and has the potential to develop, research in Experimental Health Sciences.

Aim: State the overall aim, hypotheses and research questions for the research project.

Study design, method and ethics: Describe the project’s study design and methods as well as the type of data that will be used in the project. Account for research ethics deliberations.

Timetable and execution: Describe a realistic timetable for the project during the 2-year period of the doctoral studentship and how the project will be carried out.

Communication, external engagement and social relevance: Describe how the results of the research will be published and communicated. Describe planned external engagement and how the results of the research may be utilised in the development of the MoRe Lab, the organisations involved and society in general.

Duties 

The duties consist of carrying out research projects focusing on Experimental Health Sciences according to the description in the introduction of the vacancy announcement. The appointment may require involvement in the Faculty of Medicine’s education activities, including participation in the supervision of doctoral students.

The appointment includes research duties related to all stages of the research process, and may involve quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodology. The postdocs in Experimental Health Sciences are expected to work independently, but in close collaboration with other researchers to develop the research specialisation and participate in building up and developing the MoRe Lab. The duties cover planning and execution of projects, which may include work on applications to the Swedish Ethical Review Authority, project administration, data collection, data processing as well as analysis and reporting of research results. The postdocs are also expected to take part in seminars and meetings, write applications for external research funding and participate in conferences and other events as well as other duties and activities that may occur in the research environment. External engagement and communication with parties outside of academia are an important aspect of the work.