PhD Research Fellowship in Exercise Physiology

About the position

The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at University of Inland Norway (INN) invites applications for a PhD research fellowship in exercise physiology, affiliated with the longitudinal KVIKK study: Longitudinal development of physiological performance determinants and health markers in young endurance athletes.

The place of work is Campus Lillehammer. The duration of the PhD Research Fellow is 4 years, of which 25 per cent of the time each year comprises required duties associated with research, teaching, and dissemination of results  the Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences. The employment period may be reduced to 3 years without research, teaching and supervision obligations.

The candidate will apply for admission to the PhD program in Health and Welfare (HELVEL). It is a requirement that the PhD research fellow qualifies for admission to the University’s PhD program in Health and Social Sciences (HELVEL). The final plan for the doctoral education must be approved and agreed upon no later than three months after starting in the position. Applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

About the research group

The research group “Trainome – Human Cells’ Adaptation to Exercise and Environment” is based at the Section for Health and Exercise Physiology and focuses on understanding variability in responses to exercise training. The group integrates physiological, molecular and applied approaches to study how individuals respond to different training stimulus.

Trainome is supported by an extensive biobank and dataset infrastructure, enabling large-scale and integrative analyses of training responses across studies and populations.

As a member of the group, you are expected to contribute to an open and collaborative academic environment, take initiative for your own research progress, and engage in teaching and supervision activities. 

About the project

The KVIKK study is an ongoing longitudinal cohort study following young competitive cross-country skiers and biathletes from adolescence into adulthood, with comprehensive testing conducted twice annually.

The project aims to describe and understand longitudinal changes in endurance performance, physiological performance determinants, and health-related markers, and how these are associated with training load and indicators of low energy availability.

The PhD candidate will work with a large and growing dataset including:

• performance testing (roller-skiing, running, sprint and repeated sprint)
• physiological measurements (maximal oxygen uptake, lactate threshold, exercise economy, hemoglobin mass)
• muscle strength, body composition (DXA), and muscle morphology (ultrasound measurements)
• blood samples
• training load data and health-related questionnaires

A central part of the work will involve:

• systematization and quality control of complex longitudinal datasets
• statistical analyses of individual trajectories and variability
• preparation of scientific publications based on the KVIKK dataset

The project combines ongoing data collection with analysis of existing data, enabling early scientific output. 

Qualifications

We welcome applicants with relevant theoretical and practical background within exercise physiology or a closely related field. We are seeking a candidate motivated to pursue a doctoral degree in a collaborative environment. The successful candidate is an active independent learner who is willing to contribute to the research group through their education. 

To be admitted to the doctoral program, the applicant must normally have a minimum Master’s degree or Master’s level (120 credits, §3 master’s in the Norwegian system) or equivalent education within exercise physiology or a closely related field. Applicants must have a strong academic background as evidenced by their previous studies. The average grade from the Master’s program (120 credits) or equivalent education, should normally be B or better. Candidates finishing master`s degree after the application deadline can also be considered, with the requirement that the average grade of B or better is obtained before employment. Complete degree certificate must be forwarded as soon as possible.

Required qualifications

The candidate must have:

• Practical experience with physiological laboratory testing in humans, including measurements of oxygen uptake
• Experience with data handling, systematization, and processing of physiological data
• Solid understanding of exercise physiology
• Experience with statistical analyses of quantitative data

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working with large and/or longitudinal datasets
• Experience with statistical programming (e.g. R or similar software)
• Experience with coding or reproducible data analysis workflows
• Experience conducting exercise testing protocols relevant to endurance performance
• Experience with health-related testing in humans
• Previous involvement in research projects involving human participants

Personal competence

• Ability to work independently and in a structured manner
• Strong analytical skills and attention to details
• Good collaboration and communication skills
• High motivation for research and scientific publication
• Ability to handle complex datasets and long-term projects

Language proficiency

• Applicants must have good proficiency in both written and spoken English. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must document English compentence in accordance with the Supplementary provisions for admission to the PhD program at INN.
• The candidate must communicate effectively in most professional contexts in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language.

Evaluation of candidates for the position will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation and other eligibility requirements, as defined in the advertisement. In addition, the following will be emphasized: quality of the project description and documented experience relevant to the project, as defined in the advertisement.

The position and associated tasks must be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations for government employees, including also the Act on Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology, etc. Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, come into conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to take up the position at University of Inland Norway. Necessary approvals must be maintained throughout the employment relationship.

How to apply

Your application must include:

• Application letter including a brief account of the applicant’s research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Proposed project description of the study (max 6 pages, including references), outlining its academic relevance, methods, challenges and possibilities, and containing a tentative progression plan. The project description must be written in English.
• CV detailing your relevant educational background and experience (registered in Jobbnorge’s form).
• Copies of academic diplomas and transcripts (A certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless the documents are in Norwegian.)
• A list of publications.
• The names and contact information for two referees.
• Any other documentation you would like us to consider.

Attachments must be uploaded as separate files. If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed prior to upload. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all attachments are uploaded. Documents submitted after expiry of the deadline will not be considered in the evaluation of your application.

We offer

• An exciting and challenging position at a developing institution
• Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with among other things, good pension and insurance schemes.
• For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here. Video: https://youtu.be/n43fhR_q5Lg

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.

Video:

General information

For further details about the position or the project, please contact Head of Section for Health and Exercise Physiology; Håvard Nygaard: havard.nygaard@inn.no, Head of the “Trainome” research group; Håvard Hamarsland: havard.hamarsland@inn.no or project leader Knut Sindre Mølmen: knut.sindre.molmen@inn.no

INN believes that there is strength in inclusion and diversity. We desire employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to an even better way of solving problems. We will facilitate for employees who need assitance to realise their goals. Relevant adaptations can be, for example, technical aids, adapting furniture or adjusting routines, work tasks and working hours.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV or immigrant background, we shall call at least one applicant in each of these categories for an interview. In order to be considered as an applicant in these groups, the applicants must meet certain requirements. You can read more on this here: https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling.

We encourage applicants to tick in Jobbnorge if they have a disability, a gap in their CV or immigrant background. The ticks in the jobseeker portal form the basis for anonymised statistics that all state-owned enterprises report in their annual reports

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.