Website KU Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)
Project
PHOENIX-Kidney is an RCT (n=147 patients) aiming to provide the clinical evidence base for the use of home-based exercise therapy as an accessible, clinical, and cost-effective treatment to prevent the deleterious effects of sedentary behavior on physical fitness and cardiovascular health outcomes in patients following kidney transplantation. Primary outcome is cardiorespiratory fitness assessed by peak oxygen consumption. Secondary outcomes are cardiovascular health parameters, safety (incl. infection incidence), gut microbiome, cost-effectiveness, and implementation potential.
The Ph.D. student will work on the exercise study, taking an important part in recruitment, screening, intervention delivery, outcome assessment, data analysis, and reporting. The conducted activities will result in a Ph.D. thesis (KU Leuven) that will be defended by the end of the research project. The candidate will work closely with other members of the research groups and clinical units, who are working on related topics.
Profile
• We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a MA degree (with at least distinction) in biomedical sciences, medical sciences, rehabilitation sciences, sports sciences or related field.
• Candidates have a strong interest and background in clinical exercise physiology. Hands-on experience in cardiopulmonary exercise testing and interpretation is an asset.
• Candidates have excellent organizational and data analytic skills.
• Candidates have excellent communicative skills in Dutch and English (both verbally and academic writing).
Offer
• We offer a full-time Ph.D. scholarship.
• Initially, the position is offered for 1 year with the possibility of extension after positive evaluation.
• The salary will be in accordance with the University salary scales for doctoral researchers.
• You will be enrolled in the doctoral school program of your interest and the research groups offer ample opportunities to follow postgraduate education.
Interested?
Prof. Dr. Véronique Cornelissen, email: veronique.cornelissen@kuleuven.be or
Prof. Dr. Diethard Monbaliu, email: diethard.monbaliu@kuleuven.be
Prof. Dr. Patrick Calders, email: patrick.calders@ugent.be
You can apply for this job no later than July 10, 2026 via the online application tool
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