PhD Opportunity: Apply for SAFE-HIP Project (Fully Funded)
We are excited to announce a fully financed PhD fellowship as part of the SAFE-HIP project: Implementation and Evaluation of Ultrasound-Augmented Screening for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) in Newborns.
The position is anchored in the interdisciplinary research group Interdisciplinary Orthopaedics and supervised by Professor Rikke Damkjær Maimburg and Professor Ole Rahbek.
Why this matters:
Developmental dysplasia of the hip affects up to 1% of newborns and can lead to lifelong disability if not detected early. Current screening methods miss too many cases. SAFE-HIP introduces a simple, innovative approach combining clinical examination with point-of-care ultrasound performed by midwives—already showing promising results:
✔️ ~35% reduction in unnecessary referrals
✔️ ~50% increase in detection of severe DDH
✔️ Feasible in real-world clinical settings
🎯 About the PhD project
This position focuses on real-world implementation and evaluation across Danish maternity units, including:
• Process evaluation using qualitative & mixed methods
• Implementation, effectiveness & cost-effectiveness analysis
• Close collaboration with midwives, clinicians, and researchers
Who should apply?
We are particularly looking for a midwife (or similar health/public health background) with:
• Interest in research, innovation, and implementation
• Curiosity about qualitative or mixed-methods research
• Motivation to work in interdisciplinary healthcare settings
🏥 Research environment
A strong interdisciplinary collaboration between Aarhus University Hospital and Aalborg University Hospital, with expertise spanning pediatric orthopaedics, midwifery, radiology, and health economics.
📅 Details
• Duration: 3 years
• Location: Aarhus University Hospital
• Start date: 1 September 2026 (preferred)
• Application deadline: 27 July 2026 (23:59 CET)
📩 Interested?
Apply with motivation letter, CV, and relevant documents via the official application link. Read more here: Application
For questions, feel free to reach out to the supervisors listed in the call.
🔗 Please share with anyone who might be interested!