Job offer: Ph.D. Position in Multilevel Determinants of Health Behaviours and Health of Children and Adolescents

Position overview

The Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education of the ENS Rennes is seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student to join the Youth Health From a Holistic Perspective (YEAH!) project, funded by the HORIZON research and innovation actions program.

The YEAH! project aims to co-create an innovative intervention using digital solutions to promote social interactions that empower children and adolescents to make lifestyle choices that benefit their health and well-being. The intervention will be both personalized and designed to reach a large proportion of children and adolescents in the EU.

We are seeking for a Ph.D. student with strong interest in understanding the multilevel determinants of health behaviours and health in children and adolescents, using a holistic approach. The ideal candidate will also be interested in conducting various statistical analyses, including but not limited to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and multivariate regression models. Interest in device-based measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior will also be an asset.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Professor Boris Cheval and collaborate with other Horizon researchers specializing in large-scale data analysis.
 

Key responsibilities

• Assist in developing Work Package 1 (WP1) for the YEAH!, focusing on analysis exposome-related cohort data in children and adolescents.
• Conduct, in collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher, systematic review and meta-analyses to identify the key determinants of health behaviours and health outcomes.
• Conduct, in collaboration with a postdoctoral researcher, hypothesis- and datadriven statistical analyses linking socio-environmental, interpersonal, and individual exposures to health behaviors and outcomes.
• Contribute to the writing and publication of scientific papers.
• Present research progress at international conferences and consortium meetings.
• Contribute to the Horizon report for WP1.

Required qualifications

• Master in Sport Sciences, Psychology, Health Psychology, Public Health, or a related field.
• Proficiency in reviewing and synthesizing scientific literature.
• Eagerness to quickly develop expertise in managing and analyzing large-scale cohort data.
• Initial experience with statistical analysis, preferably using R.
• Strong writing and communication skills in English.

Desired Skills

• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive mindset with a willingness to take initiative.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project needs.

Working Conditions

• Duration: 3 years
• Starting date: As soon as possible.
• Contract: Full time, fixed-term contract.
• Salary Range: Competitive, based on qualifications and experiences.

Application Process

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your research interests and experience to boris.cheval@ens-rennes.fr. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical ability, and political views.
 

Selection process

There are two stages to the selection process:

1. Technical Interview: An interview with the research team to assess skills and qualifications.
2. Final Interview: A meeting with HR to finalize the candidate selection and discuss contract terms.

For further information, please contact boris.cheval@ens-rennes.fr.