Clinical assistant (physician) for PhD employment in a project on atrial fibrillation, weight control and echocardiography, Holbæk Hospital and Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital

Clinical assistant, physician, with the aim of a PhD appointment in a project on atrial fibrillation, weight control and echocardiography.

Do you want to help investigate how weight loss can reduce the frequency of atrial fibrillation? Do you have an interest in cardiology and advanced training in echocardiography at a high level? Then you can realize your professional dreams in the Cardiology Section, Medicine 1 at Holbæk Hospital.

We look forward to having you on the team and welcoming you.

The position is expected to be filled on 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Your daily life in the department

In Holbæk you will become part of a multidisciplinary research environment with colleagues from several professional groups. We are seeking an engaged and ambitious candidate for the national DANWRAP study.

The position is a 3-year, fully funded position aimed at a Ph.D. degree, with expected start 1 January 2027 or shortly thereafter. The position is a joint appointment between the Cardiology Section, Medicine 1 at Holbæk Hospital and Cardiology Department Y, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital. The PhD student will have their primary workplace in Holbæk but is expected to work on average 1-2 days per week at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, where they will be part of the department's research environment.

Enrollment as a PhD student at the PhD School, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, with Professor Michael Hecht Olsen as the main supervisor, is planned. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the national team in the DANWRAP project, which includes clinical researchers and experts in lifestyle modification, weight control and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

About the project

The DANWRAP study, Weight loss for Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation burden and Progression (clinicaltrials.gov no. NCT07816744) , investigates whether structured weight loss reduces the frequency and duration of atrial fibrillation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and overweight.

The planned PhD project is a sub-study of DANWRAP designed to uncover the effects of structured weight loss on the heart's structure and function and the association of these with the frequency and duration of atrial fibrillation in order to achieve a better mechanistic understanding of the importance of weight loss for atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is common among people with overweight and other cardiometabolic risk factors, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. This PhD project aims to investigate to what extent structural and functional changes in the heart, particularly in the left atrium, can explain the link between overweight and atrial fibrillation.

As a central part of the project, the PhD student will be trained in echocardiography with particular focus on assessing left atrial size and function, including measurement of atrial volume and atrial strain. Echocardiographic investigations will be used to characterize atrial remodeling and to examine how changes in left atrial structure and function relate to atrial fibrillation burden and the effect of weight loss. The project thus offers opportunities for clinical research, advanced imaging, and the acquisition of practical skills in echocardiography.

About you

We are looking for a candidate who

• Has documented research experience, e.g., master's thesis, research fellowship, or already published articles.
• Has a master's degree in medicine, and completed Clinical Basis Education with eligibility to practice independently.
• Has an interest in cardiology and echocardiography.
• Is competent in spoken and written scientific English

Your tasks

• Conduct clinical research by obtaining data through clinical work.
• Dissemination of research results: presenting data at national and international conferences, communicating to the general public, and preparing scientific articles.
• Contribute to the research group's joint work, including taking part in the department's other projects as a natural part of a clinical research department.

We offer

• Good supervision from experienced researchers, professors and lecturers.
• Well-functioning interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Flexibility.
• Opportunity to develop strong methodological and academic skills.
• International and national research network.

About the research environment

Medicine 1 is one of the few broad internal medicine departments remaining in Denmark and has a unifying research unit across our clinical specialties. We conduct a range of clinical studies in collaboration with national and international partners.

We treat internal medicine patients broadly, as well as specialty patients in endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology and pulmonary medicine. We have large medical outpatient clinics and three medical wards with about 60 beds in total.

The research unit consists of two professors in endocrinology and cardiology, seven senior researchers with clinical roles, and three full-time research nurses with GCP certification, currently conducting 20 clinical studies with drug testing, as well as several cross-sectional studies, registry studies and literature studies.

In the Research House office environment, Medicine 1 has six PhD students.

Cardiology Department Y at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital has a large and active research environment with a particular focus on clinical cardiology research. The research environment includes several professors, postdocs, PhD students, medical students, and project nurses who work closely together on a wide range of clinical research projects, including major national and international clinical studies. As a PhD student, you will be an integrated part of this environment with opportunities for professional sparring, research collaboration and participation in the department's scientific activities.

Work organization

The position is a full-time post with work locations at both Holbæk Hospital and Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital. Working hours are arranged as 3-4 days in Holbæk and 1-2 days per week at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, with flexibility depending on project needs.

Salary and conditions of employment

Salary and terms of employment in accordance with the applicable collective agreement.

Hiring and enrollment at the PhD School

You will be employed by Holbæk Hospital, Region Zealand, and Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Capital Region, in a position of about 80/20%. In the initial phase you will, in collaboration with your main supervisor, prepare the PhD protocol and application for enrollment as a PhD student at the PhD School, Institute for Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen. The PhD program itself starts from the time of enrollment, when the protocol and qualifications are approved by the PhD School.

You can obtain further information about the position by contacting

• Professor Michael Hecht Olsen at phone 61304904 / [email protected]
• Research-leading consultant, clinical associate professor, Morten Lindhardt at 93569195 / [email protected]

Application

Submit your application as a PDF and attach

• Motivated cover letter (max. 1 page)
• CV with any publication list
• Academic certificates
• Contact details for 1-2 referees

Application deadline: 30 October 2026

Hiring interviews are expected to be held on Wednesday 4/11 and/or 11/11 in person.

Area of employment

Region Zealand and Region Hovedstaden will become Region Eastern Denmark on 1 January 2027 following the healthcare reform. Your area of employment will be Region Eastern Denmark with all associated organizational units.

Read more about the significance of the area of employment on Region Eastern Denmark's website.

Starting salary for employees under a collective agreement

The region is obliged to inform you of the starting salary for the position. You will be informed of base salary, centrally fixed allowances and pension under the relevant collective agreement. In addition to the starting salary, the pay may include any negotiated allowances depending on the position, your experience and qualifications.

See the starting salary on the region's website

About Holbæk Hospital

Holbæk Hospital is an innovative workplace with plenty of opportunities for personal and professional development. We aim to be a leader in the diagnostics and treatment of common and frequently occurring diseases, and we have well-functioning research environments in these areas.

We are an ambitious and well-run hospital with a flat management structure – so the path from idea to action is short. We look forward to welcoming you to the team. You can find more about jobs at Holbæk Hospital here.