PhD in Medical Science (PA2025/1301)

Description of the research group
Our interdisciplinary international research group conducts research in Family medicine, prevention, public health and epidemiology with a particular focus on clinical research. The current research project is led by adjunct professor Louise Bennet (family medicine), Jan Eriksson (endocrinology Uppsala University), and Professor Daniel Arvidsson (clinical intervention research at Gothenburg University). You can read more about the research project and our research environment here. As a workplace, we protect a positive working environment with respect and consideration in our relationships with each other.

Doctoral Research Subject
Medical Science

Project description
This is a PhD project in Medical Science with a focus on Family Medicine, prevention and primary health care research.  The overall aim of the doctoral project is to identify and study factors contributing to overweight and obesity in socioeconomically vulnerable areas with special focus on young adults, study factors that influence these factors and identify strategies, approaches and interventions of importance.

Duties and areas of responsibility
It is important for a doctoral student to be devoted to the doctoral education and therefore you will be both a student as well as employed at Lund University. You will carry out, analyze and compile population data, survey studies and qualitative interview studies with the aim of identifying factors that influence overweight and obesity in vulnerable areas with focus on young adults. Based on the findings, you will develop intervention models that address barriers and facilitators to behavioral change. In the project, the general population is studied but also specific groups such as socio-economically vulnerable groups, young adults and groups born outside Sweden where overweight and obesity is prevalent. The duties may also include teaching and certain institutional work, but a maximum of 20% of the working time.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who:

• have completed a second-cycle degree.
• completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

Specific admission requirements:

• at least 60 credits within the subject area of medical science.
• students with a first-cycle qualification obtained outside Scandinavia are to have knowledge equivalent to 3 years of studying English in upper secondary school (a pass in the exam) if they have a first language other than English.

Requirements for the postion:

• Master's degree and good knowledge of public health and prevention.
• be self-motivated and persistent.
• good writing skills. 
• good knowledge of Swedish and English in both speech and writing.
• good analytical skills, own drive and good cooperation skills.

Meritorious for the position are:

• documented experience of studies aimed at vulnerable groups.
• experience analyzing population and health data.
• experience with qualitative methodology.
• experience of working with lifestyle change and support for behavior change such as motivational interviewing or health promotion.
• language skills in minority languages ​​such as Arabic.

Assessment Criteria and Selection
In accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Ordinance, the selection should primarily be based on an assessment of the applicants' ability to benefit from the education. During admission, it is mainly the applicant's merits from their basic education that can normally be assessed. In this regard, breadth, depth, and relevance, as well as elements of independent work, should be considered.

Terms of Employment
This 4-year fixed-term, full-time appointment has a preliminary start date of August 15, 2025, or as agreed. Employment at Lund University requires work to be conducted in Sweden. Therefore, you must perform most duties on-site in Malmö. 

Regulations regarding doctoral student employment are specified in Chapter 5, Sections 1–7 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). Regulations regarding admission to doctoral studies are found in Chapter 6, Section 3 of the same ordinance. Further information regarding the regulations for admission and employment as a doctoral student can be found on the faculty's website

What We Offer
Lund University is a public authority, which means you will benefit from special employment advantages, generous vacation entitlements, and a favorable occupational pension scheme. Learn more about working at Lund University  on the university’s website.

How to apply
The position is applied for via the university's recruitment system. The application must include a personal letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how your qualifications make the position a good fit for you. The application must also include a CV, degree certificate or equivalent and any other information you wish to provide (copies of grades, information for references, letters of recommendation, etc.)