PhD Candidate in Exercise and Brain Health – The MolEx Studies

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU); Trondheim; On-site; NOK 522,000 - 638,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career guidance

Open and inclusive work environment

Pension benefits (SPK)

Norwegian language training

Job summary

NTNU in Trondheim invites applications for a PhD candidate within the MolEx program at the Cardiac Exercise Research Group. The project investigates how exercise affects molecular signatures in blood and the brain, aiming to map responses across three populations and conduct multi-omics analyses.

The successful candidate will engage in three randomized studies, lead sub-projects, and collaborate with international teams while pursuing a doctoral degree in Medicine and Health Sciences.

Qualifications

• A completed master’s degree (equivalent to 120 ECTS) in exercise physiology, human physiology, molecular biology, biomedicine, neuroscience, medicine, medical technology, or related field.
• Strong academic background with average grade equivalent to B or better per NTNU grading scale.
• Documented experience with clinical and/or laboratory research.
• Excellent written and oral English skills.

Responsibilities

• Take active role in ongoing MolEx studies across populations.
• Develop and lead sub-projects within each study for the doctoral thesis.
• Participate in data collection including exercise testing, cognitive testing, and blood sampling logistics.
• Analyse and interpret large-scale molecular data with bioinformatics collaboration.
• Publish results in international journals and present at conferences.
• Write a doctoral thesis and defend it in a structured programme.

Skills

English proficiency

Clinical research

Laboratory techniques

Bioinformatics basics

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent

Tools

R

Python

Omics data analysis

Job description

About The Position

Do you want to help uncover the molecular secrets of exercise – and how they may protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease? We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at the Cardiac Exercise Research Group (CERG; ntnu.edu/cerg), Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging (ISB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU. CERG is a world-leading research group in exercise in medicine, with state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructure for clinical and experimental research, located at St. Olavs University Hospital in Trondheim.

About The Position

Do you want to help uncover the molecular secrets of exercise – and how they may protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease? We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at the Cardiac Exercise Research Group (CERG; ntnu.edu/cerg), Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging (ISB), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU. CERG is a world-leading research group in exercise in medicine, with state-of-the‑art laboratories and infrastructure for clinical and experimental research, located at St. Olavs University Hospital in Trondheim.

This is a fixed-term, full-time (100%) position for 3 years. For a position as a PhD candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree. The main supervisor will be Professor Ulrik Wisløff (NTNU). Professor Dorthe Stensvold (NTNU) and Postdoctor Atefe R. Tari (NTNU) will serve as co‑supervisors. Your immediate leader will be the Head of Department.

About The Project

The doctoral work is part of the MolEx research programme (“MOLecular secrets of EXercise”), which investigates the acute and long‑term effects of exercise on the molecular composition of human blood – and how exercise‑induced circulating molecules (“exerkines”) may mediate beneficial effects on the brain and possibly protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Physical activity and high cardiorespiratory fitness are among the most promising preventive strategies against Alzheimer’s disease, but the underlying biological mechanisms in humans remain poorly understood. Our group has shown that plasma from exercise‑trained donors can counteract Alzheimer‑related pathology in experimental models, and we lead clinical trials testing exercise and “exercised plasma” as treatment strategies (e.g., the ExPlas Study). MolEx takes the crucial next step: mapping, in humans, the temporal dynamics and molecular signatures of exercise responses in blood.

MolEx consists of three coordinated randomized clinical studies applying the same core protocol in three populations: healthy younger adults, healthy older adults, and individuals in the early phase of Alzheimer’s disease. In each study, participants perform single sessions (acute) and a period (chronic) of high‑intensity interval training or moderate‑intensity continuous training, with blood sampling at repeated timepoints before and up to 48 hours after exercise, combined with comprehensive assessments of cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive function, and body composition. Blood samples are analysed with state‑of‑the‑art multi‑omics technologies, including mass spectrometry‑based proteomics quantifying approximately 11,000 proteins per project, as well as metabolomics, small non‑coding RNAs, and blood‑based Alzheimer biomarkers.

The PhD candidate will take an active role in all three studies and will develop and lead own sub‑projects within each of them, in close collaboration with the supervisor team. The specific research questions of the three papers that will constitute the doctoral thesis will be defined together with the candidate during the first phase of the position, allowing the thesis to be shaped by the candidate’s own ideas, the emerging data, and the most promising scientific leads.

Duties of the position

• Take an active role in the ongoing and planned MolEx studies in healthy younger adults, healthy older adults, and individuals with early‑stage Alzheimer’s disease
• Develop and lead own sub‑projects within each of the three studies, which together will form the basis of the doctoral thesis
• Participate in data collection, including supervised exercise training and testing (e.g., cardiopulmonary exercise testing), cognitive testing, and blood sampling logistics
• Analyse and interpret large‑scale molecular data (approximately 11,000 proteins per project) in collaboration with our bioinformatics and statistics collaborators
• Publish results in international peer‑reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences
• Write a doctoral thesis and publicly defend it
• Complete the mandatory PhD programme at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required Selection Criteria

• A completed master’s degree (equivalent to a minimum of 120 ECTS credits) in exercise physiology, human physiology, molecular biology, biomedicine, neuroscience, medicine, medical technology, or a related field
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies, with an average grade from the master’s degree programme, or equivalent education, that is equivalent to B or better according to NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants with a weaker grade background may be considered if it can be documented that they are particularly suited for PhD education
• Documented experience with clinical and/or laboratory research
• Excellent written and oral English skills

The applicant must meet the requirements for admission to the Medical Faculty’s PhD programme (ntnu.edu/mh/phd).

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of, or experience with, bioinformatics and the analysis of large‑scale omics data (e.g., proteomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics), including basic programming skills in R and/or Python
• Documented experience with exercise testing (e.g., testing of maximal oxygen uptake) and/or supervision of exercise training in healthy individuals or patient groups
• Experience with cognitive testing and/or clinical research involving older adults or patient populations
• Publications in international peer‑reviewed scientific journals or presentations at scientific meetings
• Ability to communicate in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage, as data collection involves older adults and patients with early‑stage Alzheimer’s disease

Personal characteristics

• Enthusiastic and highly motivated, with a genuine interest in exercise physiology, brain health, and molecular medicine
• Good work ethics, organisational skills, and the ability to work systematically and independently
• The ability to work collaboratively towards common research goals in a multidisciplinary team
• Good communication skills and a respectful, patient approach when working with study participants, including older adults and patients

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience, and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential for research will also count in the assessment of the candidates.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong, international academic environment that is world‑leading in exercise in medicine
• The opportunity to work with unique human multi‑omics data across the lifespan and in early‑stage Alzheimer’s disease
• Excellent opportunities for scientific and personal development in collaboration with skilled co‑workers and international collaborators
• State‑of‑the‑art laboratories and research infrastructure at NTNU and St. Olavs University Hospital
• Career guidance and follow‑up during the PhD period
• An open and inclusive work environment with engaged colleagues
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population’s collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender‑balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,- per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Medicine and Health Sciences within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About The Application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The Application Must Include

• A cover letter describing your motivation and why you are an excellent candidate for the position
• CV (education, work experience, technical expertise, and list of publications, if any)
• Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor’s and master’s degrees. If you have not completed the master’s degree, you must submit a confirmation of the status of your master’s thesis work
• A copy of the master’s thesis. If you have recently submitted your master’s thesis, you may attach a draft. Documentation of a completed master’s degree must be presented before taking up the position
• Any publications or other relevant research work
• Any certificates and other documents you consider relevant
• Names and contact information of at least two relevant references

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master’s education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Ulrik Wisløff, email [e-mail].

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Senior consultant HR Helene Berri, e-mail: [e-mail].

Application deadline

Application deadline: 11.10.2026

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day‑care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Department of Circulation and Imaging

The Department of Circulation and Imaging (ISB) has approximately 250 employees, mainly located in the Heart and Lung Center at St. Olav’s Hospital, integrated with collaborating clinical departments.

ISB is organized into the departments