CONSCIOUS: Cognitive and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults

The Department of Movement Sciences (KU Leuven) is looking for an enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidate with a strong interest in the role of active living for healthy ageing, more specifically for the project ‘CONSCIOUS: COgnitive aNd phySical aCtivity In Older adUltS’. CONSCIOUS starts with a more fundamental lab-based study, followed by a study in which a combined physical and cognitive activity intervention to improve cognitive functioning in adults aged 65+ years will be developed and examined.

The research team of Prof. van Uffelen houses within the interdisciplinary Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences at KU Leuven. The team focuses on observational and interventional research examining the role of lifestyle, and lifestyle interventions, for promoting active and healthy ageing with a focus on cognitive function. CONSCIOUS is a joint project with Prof van Uffelen (KU Leuven) and Prof Cardon (UGent, Department of Movement and Sports Sciences), which builds on their previous project ‘Take your brain for a walk’.
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Project

We offer a full-time PhD position under the joint supervision of Prof. van Uffelen (KU Leuven) and Prof Cardon (UGent). The candidate will enroll in a dual PhD with KU Leuven as main institution, with regular attendance at UGent. The starting date can be discussed, but should be no later than September 1, 2025.

Around 50 million people globally have dementia and this number is set to triple by 2050. Given the significant impact of dementia, risk reduction is a key pillar in the WHO Global action plan on the public health response to dementia. Combining physical activity (PA) and cognitive activity (CA) is a promising risk reduction strategy through a synergistic impact of PA and CA on brain plasticity. Despite the evidence supporting the benefits of simultaneous PA and CA, the precise relationship between PA, CA and cognitive function in people with different levels of cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF) is unclear. We will address this knowledge gap by investigating the dose-response relationship between simultaneous PA and CA and cognitive function in older adults with different levels of CRF in a controlled setting. We will then translate these findings to real-life settings by developing an innovative intervention adapted to different CRF levels using a structured participatory co-creation process with stakeholders and end-users. Finally, we will examine feasibility and effects of the program in a randomized controlled mixed-method efficacy study. By combining new knowledge, a participatory approach and methodologically strong intervention evaluations, the CONSCIOUS project will make a significant contribution to the state of the art in this emerging field, with the potential to positively impact public health outcomes and quality of life in the aging population.

Profile

• You have a strong interest in physical activity, cognitive health, and dementia prevention, with affinity for working with older adults.
• You obtained a Master’s degree in Movement Sciences, Psychology, Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences, or another relevant degree. Master students graduating in summer 2025 are strongly encouraged to apply!
• You achieved excellent results during your study program.
• You are enthusiastic to apply and extend your university knowledge about designing, conducting, and analyzing experimental research designs.
• You are motivated to translate (lab) research into practice, bridging scientific knowledge with real-world applications.
• You are interested in co-creation/participatory research and stakeholder engagement, working closely with end-users to design impactful interventions.
• You have excellent oral and written communication skills, both in Dutch and English, and are able to communicate well with colleagues, stakeholders and older adults.
• You have good organizational and project management skills.
• You are capable of taking initiative, working in teams as well as independently, showing initiative and respecting deadlines.

Key responsibilities

• Perform scientific research as part of a PhD thesis (see project), in collaboration with a postdoc based at UGent and under the joint supervision of Profs van Uffelen and Cardon.
• Design and implement experimental and intervention studies, recruit participants, collect and analyze data, write manuscripts and publish findings in high-quality scientific journals.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and end-users to co-develop an innovative intervention tailored to the participants’ needs.
• Supervise/ assist with supervision of Master’s theses within the research domain.
• Provide teaching assistance in the KU Leuven Department of Movement Sciences.
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team, including experts in physical activity, cognitive health, psychology, and public health.
• Actively engage in scientific dissemination, including presenting at international conferences, stakeholders and translating findings into practical guidelines for implementation.

Offer

This PhD position offers the opportunity to work in a highly innovative and socially impactful research environment, contributing to cutting-edge knowledge in dementia prevention.

We offer the PhD candidate a full-time employment. The initial appointment is for one year and will be extended upon positive evaluation (4 years in total), in order to write a doctoral thesis within this timeframe. Successful completion of the PhD program will result in a doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences. The candidate will be associated with the doctoral school of Biomedical Sciences (KU Leuven) and enrolled in the thematic track ‘Physical Exercise in Health & Disease’.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Jannique van Uffelen, tel.: +32 16 37 30 97, mail: [email protected].

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