Our naturally beautiful campus in the Jyväskylä city centre is home to a dynamic multidisciplinary research university – a modern, open and collaborative community of 2,500 experts and 15,000 students seeking answers to the pivotal questions of today and tomorrow. It was here, in 1863 that Finnish-language teacher education began. Since then, the University of Jyväskylä has been serving the future. The dialogue between research, education and society is our driving force. We cherish this balance of research and education, and work to promote open thinking. We kindle the skills, knowledge and passion to live wisely for the best of humanity.
 

The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences  is currently seeking to recruit staff to the position of Doctoral Student, beginning as from 1 October 2019 or according to a separate agreement, for a fixed term of not more than four years.

Education and research in sport sciences in Finland are concentrated at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences of the University of Jyväskylä. Physical activity and health, as well as their relationships and promotion, are explored there from a multidisciplinary perspective, with the improvement of health, functional ability and wellbeing across the human lifespan as the key aim.

There are two main lines of study at the Faculty: Sport Sciences and Health Sciences. There are three disciplinary groups at the Faculty: Biology of Physical Activity, Behavioral and Social Sciences of Sport and Health Sciences. There are also three research centres at the Faculty: the Neuromuscular Research Centre, the Gerontology Research Center and the Research Centre for Health Promotion.

We are looking for a Ph.D. candidate to work in the project “Bodily movement and sustaining quality of life in old age” funded by Academy of Finland. The overall aim of the project is to explore the association between physical activity and the ability to maintain quality of life among older adults. The primary methods used to explore the association are wearable sensors (accelerometer, inertial measurement unit) and questionnaires.

The tasks of the student are to make a research plan for acquiring PhD position in the doctoral school of Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, focus on research concerning doctoral thesis according to this plan, complete doctoral studies and assist in other tasks related to the overall project. The work will be done under the supervision of Dr. Timo Rantalainen. The data available for the doctoral thesis include laboratory-based gait assessments and mobility evaluation based on free-living multiple day accelerometry records.

According to the University of Jyväskylä Regulations the main duties of doctoral students consist of research for the doctoral thesis and reporting the dissertation, postgraduate education, teaching assistance and possible other related tasks.

The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of doctoral student are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations, Rectors´s decision on personnel matters and language skills guidelines.  The selected person is required to have a full command of Finnish language. According to Finnish law, a non-native university teaching and research staff member can be granted an exemption from the requirement of Finnish language proficiency. A good command of English is required.

A prerequisite for the doctoral student position is a suitable Master’s degree and the study right for doctoral studies at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. If the applicant does not already have the right for doctoral studies, it must be applied for by a separate application from the relevant faculty, considering application times.

Candidates for this position are expected to have a relevant Master’s degree and good knowledge in some or all of the following areas: signal analysis, gerontology, biomechanics and gait analysis. Programming skill with Matlab, python or other relevant programming languages are preferred.

The position is located at the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The expected duration of PhD thesis and doctoral studies is four years, but a contract is first made for one year, and the extension is subject to advance of studies and research.

The job-specific salary component of a doctoral student is based on the job demands level 2 - 4 (EUR 2033,29 – 2535,20 /month according to the salary system concerning teaching and research staff at universities. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component amounting to 6-50% of the job-specific salary component is also paid.

A trial period of six months will be used when the position is first filled.

To find useful information about the University of Jyväskylä, the City of Jyväskylä and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide .

For further information, please contact:
Dr Timo Rantalainen , email: timo.rantalaien@jyu.fi; tel: +358408053252 or
Head of Administration Heikki Herva, email: heikki.herva@jyu.fi; +358504432400.

Application materials should be submitted in English.

The application should include as PDF files:

·        CV

·        Cover letter (please explain your motivation to apply),

·        Description of previous experience and skills on signal analysis/gerontology/biomechanics/gait analysis and possible experience with Matlab/Python/or other relevant programming.

·        A list of publications,

·        Names and contact details of references.

Please submit your application at the latest on 1 September 2019 using the online application form.