Ph D Position in the field of community participation and the health of vulnerable populations

The Department of Public Health at SDU is seeking applicants for a PhD scholarship in the field of community participation and the health of vulnerable populations. We are looking for a person with a relevant undergraduate and master’s degree in public health or related research fields.

Research environment
The successful candidate will be placed within the Unit for Health Promotion (Esbjerg) at the Department of Public Health and will be connected to the research team around the project Community-Based Approaches to Well-being, Health, and Resilience in Rural Vulnerable Populations: A Study of Varde Municipality. The team of supervisors will consist of Associate Professor Leena Eklund Karlsson and Professor Pernille Tanggaard Andersen from the Department of Public Health.

Project description
This PhD is embedded within a project funded by Landsbyggefonden, which aims to analyse how do community-based approaches shape the processes surrounding well-being, health, social cohesion, and resilience among vulnerable populations in rural areas, with a particular focus on Varde Municipality. The PhD study focuses on achieving an understanding of the mechanisms, processes, and theoretical contributions underlying how community-based approaches and initiatives function. It highlights key areas for theoretical exploration (e.g., perceived safety, social cohesion, collective agency, satisfaction with the residential area, and improved quality of life) and enables a more in-depth examination of how these dynamics are shaped by the specific rural contexts.

To achieve this, we will investigate how

• community-driven approaches enhance health, well-being, and social cohesion in rural areas
• urban social interventions can be adapted and applied in rural contexts
• the influx of vulnerable citizens affects social capital and community resilience in rural areas
• participation in local initiatives enhances the well-being and empowerment of vulnerable groups.

Methods are likely to include three main parts: A systematic literature review, qualitative interviews and field observations, and surveys and network analysis. The knowledge from these studies will be used in the ongoing intervention project (in Varde Municipality) and in developing guidance and recommendations for future community-based studies to strengthen the health and well-being of vulnerable populations in rural contexts.

The candidate will be enrolled at the PhD School in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Information about the Ph.D. school, available PhD courses for student training, course obligations and other information can be found on the webpage.

Qualifications

• A first degree and a master’s degree in public health or related disciplines
• Academic training or relevant working experience within social inequality, social inclusion and vulnerability or citizen participation, empowerment and health promotion of vulnerable people
• Excellent Danish and English written and communication skills
• Experience within analyzing qualitative and quantitative data
• Experience within project management of research activities and research report writing.

For further information about the project, please contact
Professor Pernille Tanggaard Andersen, Head of Department for Public Health, University of Southern Denmark (SDU), E-mail: [email protected] or Associate Professor Leena Eklund Karlsson, SDU ([email protected] ).

Applications must include

• A letter stating the interest, motivation and qualifications for the project (max. 2 pages) - upload under “Application form”.
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Certified copy of diploma (master’s degree in a relevant field)
• Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF format. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply for a position at SDU before you apply.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Closing date: Tuesday the 4th of February 2025, 23.59 CET.

Successful candidates will be asked to send an application to the PhD Secretariat, Faculty of Health Sciences, to be enrolled as PhD students.

The PhD program will be carried out in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD program at the Universities (PhD order)

The terms of employment as a salaried PhD Research Fellow are stated in the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.