A collaborative research project between the Functional Imaging Unit, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet Glostrup and the Steno Diabetes Neuro Unit (SDNU) at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen.
Are you passionate about diabetes and the brain, and eager to deepen our understanding of how metabolic disease impacts brain health? Would you like to gain insight into different neuroimaging techniques while being part of a developing and innovative team? Then you could be one of our new Ph.D. students in the BIR-BrainHealth project.
The project
Functional Imaging Unit and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen invites applications for two fully financed 3-year PhD positions as part of the research project “Disentangling the effect of Brain Insulin Resistance on Brain Health: The BIR-BrainHealth Project”. The aim of the project is to investigate why people with diabetes develop cognitive difficulties and show an increased incidence of dementia. The BIR-BrainHealth Project is a multicenter study involving the Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Rigshospitalet, the Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen and the University of Ulm, Germany. The project is divided into 5 Work Packages which, among other things, include the recruitment of 600 individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and 300 healthy controls. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments, including clinical data collection, cognitive testing, omics analyses, physiological evaluations, and advanced neuroimaging using MRI and PET scans.
These PhD positions will focus on examining the brain insulin sensitivity and the cerebrovascular function in a subset of patients with diabetes using advanced MRI neuroimaging techniques.
The work will include both patient examinations, performing the MRI scans and analysis of imaging and clinical data. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the many other researchers working on the project in a multidisciplinary group consisting of medical doctors, engineers, physicists, psychologists, human physiologists, data scientists, and radiographers.
Qualifications
The ideal candidates should hold a degree in medicine, human biology, biomedical engineering, or a related field. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team is essential. Prior experience or interest in diabetes and neurophysiology is considered an advantage, as is experience in human physiological research. An interest in neuroimaging will be highly valued.
What We Offer
We offer an opportunity to be part of a large and ambitious project examining brain health in new and innovative ways. We have an exciting multidisciplinary research environment with top-class facilities and a friendly and sociable atmosphere. The project provides access to a strong national and international research network, enabling synergies with leading research groups.
The primary workplace will be at the Functional Imaging Unit, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, under the leadership of Professor Henrik B.W. Larsson and a shared position at the Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen between the Neuro Unit embedded in the Translational Type 2 Diabetes Research Department led by Professor Jørgen Rungby and the Translational Type 1 Diabetes Research Department led by Professor Flemming Pociot. The project involves a strong collaboration and exchange with our parter at the University of Ulm, Section of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutritional Sciences, led by Professor Martin Heni.
Application Process
The application deadline is 31 May 2025, and applications should be submitted online via the job advert link. Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV and a motivated application, including details of relevant coursework, previous research experience, and practical skills.
We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or ethnicity. Speaking Danish language is of importance because of extensive contact with elderly patients.
Terms of Employment
The position is full-time for a period of three years and is available from1 august 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement within the Capital Region of Denmark.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Mark Vestergaard ( mark.bitsch.vestergaard@regionh.dk ) or Julie Antvorskov ( julie.christine.antvorskov@regionh.dk ) or Jørgen Rungby ( joergen.rungby@regionh.dk ) or Flemming Pociot ( flemming.pociot@regionh.dk ) or Henrik BW Larsson (henrik.bo.wiberg.larsson@regionh.dk).
About Diagnostic center Rigshospitalet
The Centre of Diagnostic Investigation comprises a collection of highly specialized departments: Diagnostic radiology, clinical biochemistry, pathology, clinical immunology, clinical physiology/nuclearmedicine and PET, clinical microbiology, clinical genetics & center of genomic medicine.
The center has a staff of app. 1.550 and an annual turnover of 1.2 billion kroner. The center produces annually 10 mill. laboratory analyses and performs 650.000 image diagnostics based on 1 mill. contacts with patients and donors.
The core task is high-level research, strong educational environments, customized diagnostics and patient treatment. 36 professors and other researchers provides annually more than 700 scientific articles in international reputable journals.
About Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen
Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen is an internationally leading diabetes hospital in the Capital Region of Denmark. SDCC specializes in the treatment, research, and prevention of diabetes, as well as the education of healthcare professionals in the field of diabetes. SDCC is the largest diabetes clinic in Scandinavia, treating more than 12,000 people with diabetes from the Capital Region every year, and is located right next to Herlev Hospital. Learn more at sdcc.dk and follow Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Demo
Nordre Ringvej 57, Skive
Full Time