The LABDA project

LABDA (Learning Network for Advanced Behavioural Data Analysis) is an EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network that brings together leading researchers in advanced movement behaviour data analysis at the intersection of data science, method development, epidemiology, public health, and wearable technology to train a new generation of creative and innovative public health researchers via training-through-research. The main aims of LABDA are to establish novel methods for advanced 24/7 movement behaviour data analysis of sensor-based data, examine the added value of advanced behavioural data analysis and multi-modal data for predicting health risk and facilitate the use and interpretability of the advanced methods for application in science, policy, and society. Via training-through-research projects, 13 doctoral fellows will contribute to reaching these aims. Together, they will develop a joint taxonomy to enable interoperability and data harmonisation. Results will be combined in an open-source LABDA toolbox of advanced analysis methods, including a decision tree to guide researchers and other users to the optimal method for their (research) question. The open-source toolbox of advanced analysis methods will lead to optimised, tailored public health recommendations and improved personal wearable feedback concerning 24/7 movement behaviour.

About the position

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. You will be hosted at the Department of Public Health and Nursing, in the Musculoskeletal Research Group. NTNU offers an inspiring and professional environment in which developing one`s talents and skills is encouraged. We offer ample opportunity for development, deepening and broadening, additional training, and a place to grow!.

Your immediate leader is the leader for Public Health and Community Medicine section at Department of Public Health and Nursing.

Duties of the position

Based on available accelerometer datasets, the primary aims of the PhD project is to develop a method for estimating intensity of walking and running, explore the applicability and interoperability of the method in different datasets, and investigate if the intensity metric is associated with health status and risk of common non-communicable diseases. For the latter, you will have access to datasets from large population-based studies.
In addition to your local PhD training, you will participate in an attractive educational program customized to the 13 doctoral candidates in the LABDA project. The LABDA training program consists of 3 secondments (1 in Denmark, 1 in The Netherlands, and 1 in France), monthly online trainings, 4 in-person 3-day workshops, and conferences to optimally develop your academic and transferable skills.

As part of the project, you will go on secondments including:

Required selection criteria

The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Phd candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate and Regulations concerning the degrees of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD)(Link) and Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) in artistic research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)((Link)

Preferred selection criteria

Personal characteristics

Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.

We offer

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 491 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The period of employment is 3 years (without teaching duties).
Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in in Medicine and Health Sciences (link) within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution on a daily basis.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.

The application must include:

• Research statement (max. 3 pages) including:
• A short presentation of the motivation for a PhD study.
• How the applicant sees his/her background suitable for the position.
• The applicant’s view of research challenges for the selected PhD position, as well as his/her theoretical and methodological approach to the challenges.
• CV and certificates
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
• A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Name and contact information of three referees
• If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.
We will take joint work into account. If it is difficult to identify your efforts in the joint work, you must enclose a short description of your participation.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

If you have any questions about the position, please contact prof. Paul Jarle Mork, telephone +4790104615, email paul.mork@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Anita Finserås Bretun, e-mail: anita.f.bretun@ntnu.no

If you think this looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Upon request, you must be able to obtain certified copies of your documentation.

Department of Public Health and Nursing
(Her flettes forhåndsdefinert info om instituttet inn i Jobbnorge)

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