Clinical research position within coronary artery disease in overweight and obesity - a fully financed PhD fellowship

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic Medical Doctor with an interest in cardiometabolic disorders to be part of a large medical trial, including individuals with overweight/obesity and coronary artery disease. You will be part of a research team based at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen (SDCC) in close collaboration with Afdeling for Hjertemedicinske Sygdomme at Gentofte Hospital. You must have documented research experience (e.g., research year with published articles), be focused and goal-oriented, have a constructive, positive mind and be able to collaborate across disciplines. We expect that you are energetic and ready to participate in all aspects of the clinical trial. Simultaneously, you must have the skills to juggle many tasks at once without losing focus. The position is a 3-year clinical research position with a fully financed PhD fellowship. The position is open for medical doctors only from May 1, 2024, or as soon as possible hereafter.

Clinical Research at SDCC, University of Copenhagen

Our clinical interventional research is based on human studies of individuals with obesity, prediabetes, and diabetes and their cardiometabolic complications/co-morbidities. Our studies involve very detailed physiological studies of smaller groups of individuals and larger clinical studies involving several hundred individuals. Our long-term goal is the prevention of obesity and diabetes and their cardiometabolic complications/co-morbidities. Our current research project focuses on the effects of the antidiabetic therapy tirzepatide on changes in coronary plaque composition, progression, and microvascular function in overweight and obesity.   

The project

The global prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is increasing, with 523 million cases in 2019 and 71 % and 43 % of middle-aged men and women having evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis. CVD mortality rates are even increasing, and the prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. To prevent CVD morbidity and mortality, clinicians focus on modifying risk factors, but a CV therapy targeting the arteriosclerotic process is urgently needed. The IDEAL-COR trial will investigate the long-term (52 weeks) effects of the antidiabetic therapy tirzepatide once-weekly vs. placebo on changes in coronary plaque composition and progression, plaque burden and microvascular function in individuals with overweight and obesity and stable coronary artery disease. In addition, the objective of a baseline cross-sectional sub-study is to explore potential metabolic and cardiovascular predictors for high arteriosclerotic plaque burden in individuals with overweight and obesity.

Job description 

The responsibilities of the research assistant/PhD fellow will, in short, consist of: 

• Contribution to the development of the main protocol and correspondence with official agencies
• Central in the recruitment and screening of participants, clinical experimental work, coordination of procedures, handling of blood samples, etc.
• Oversee study visits, including administration of study drug, throughout the trial
• Management of data handling, performing primary statistical analyses and preparing first drafts for scientific manuscripts
• Prepare the first draft of manuscripts of the protocol (as first author)
• Presentation of preliminary data at national and international meetings
• Supervising students involved in the project

Required qualifications  

We are looking for a candidate with scientific experience, good analytical and writing skills, as well as excellent collaboration skills. Only Medical Doctors with a career interest in clinical research in endocrinology, cardiology and medical trials can apply. Candidates with published original scientific papers will be preferred. Experience with project coordination and management is an advantage. The candidate should speak and write fluent Danish and English.

Recruitment and employment

An internal assessment committee will assess the candidates’ qualifications, and eligible candidates will be invited to an interview, including a predefined presentation. Deadline for application is March 1 with interviews March 18 and/or March 22, 2024. The employment is in accordance with the Capital Regions collective agreements. The position is offered from May 1, 2024.

Contact and information

For further information, please contact Principal Investigator Tina Vilsbøll, Professor MD DMSc (SDCC/University of Copenhagen, mobile: +45 4094 0825) or Thue Olsen. Associate Professor MD PhD (Gentofte Hospital, mobile: +45 4095 3098).

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen

Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen er et internationalt førende diabeteshospital i Region Hovedstaden. SDCC er specialister inden for behandling, forskning og forebyggelse af diabetes og i uddannelsen af sundhedspersonale inden for diabetes. SDCC er Skandinaviens største diabetesklinik og behandler hvert år flere end 12.000 personer med diabetes fra Region Hovedstaden og har adresse lige ved siden af Herlev Hospital. Læs mere på sdcc.dk og følg Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen på LinkedIn og Twitter.

• Fakta

• Arbejdssted
  Steno Diabetes Center
• Kontaktperson
  Tina Vilsboell
• Adresse
  Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 83, 2730 Herlev
• Stillingstype
  Forsker
• Speciale
  Intern medicin: Endokrinologi & Intern medicin: Kardiologi
• Ansættelsesform
  Tidsbegrænset periode
• Ugentlig arbejdstid
  Fuld tid
• Ansættelsens start
  01-05-2024
• Regionens jobnr.
  254228
• Quick-nr.
  459113
• Indrykningsdato
  30-01-2024
• Ansøgningsfrist
  01-03-2024 (udløbet)