Summary
The Healthy Adaptation to Pregnancy, Postpartum and Parenthood (HAP3) project invites applications for a fully funded PhD position (Doctoral Candidate – DC8) under the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network. The project focuses on evaluating the feasibility of an innovative family app-based intervention to improve parental health behaviours and investigate obesity and mental health outcomes in offspring during early childhood. The selected candidate will pursue a Joint Doctorate degree from TU Dresden (Germany) and KU Leuven (Belgium).
PhD Position 2026 in Perinatal Health & Digital Health Intervention – MSCA Joint Doctorate (Germany & Belgium)
Designation
PhD Candidate / Doctoral Researcher (DC8) – PERINATAL CARE INNOVATOR
Scholarship Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | HAP3 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Joint Doctorate Network |
| Position | Doctoral Candidate (DC8) |
| Project Title | Testing feasibility of the HAP3 “eSelf-monitoring and eSelf-management” package and exploring obesity and mental health outcomes in offspring |
| Host Universities | TU Dresden (Germany) & KU Leuven (Belgium) |
| Funding Body | European Commission – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions |
| Duration | 12 months initially + 22 months extension (total 34 months) |
| Expected Start Date | September 1, 2026 (preferred) |
| Salary | Approx. €3,340 gross/month + €600 mobility allowance/month + €660 family allowance (if applicable) |
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2026 |
Research Area
Perinatal health, digital health interventions, obesity prevention, mental health, epidemiology, and family-based healthcare research.
Location
TU Dresden, Germany (Primary Host) & KU Leuven, Belgium (Joint Doctorate Partner)
Eligibility / Qualification
Applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
- Must hold or expect to obtain an MSc or equivalent degree before 31 July 2026 in:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Medicine
- Health Sciences
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Social Sciences
- Related disciplines
- Academic qualification should be obtained with a grade of “good” or better.
- Applicants must not hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended a PhD.
- Must satisfy MSCA mobility requirements:
- Applicants must not have lived or carried out their main activity (work/study) in Germany for more than 12 months during the previous 3 years before recruitment.
- Must fulfil PhD enrollment requirements at TU Dresden and KU Leuven.
- Strong proficiency in English (B2 level or equivalent).
- German language skills are desirable due to interaction with local stakeholders.
Project-Specific Requirements
- Background in psychology, public health, epidemiology, or related fields.
- Experience with:
- Statistical analysis
- Longitudinal data analysis
- Statistical software such as SPSS or R
- Strong analytical, scientific writing, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.
Job Description / Research Responsibilities
The selected PhD candidate will:
- Recruit pregnant women and their partners for the feasibility RCT study.
- Collect and manage research data through:
- Surveys
- Experience Sampling Methods (ESM)
- Interviews
- Anthropometric measurements
- Coordinate and monitor the HAP3 family app intervention.
- Perform data management and statistical analysis.
- Collaborate with DC6 and DC7 researchers to integrate multi-country RCT data from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
- Develop and complete a PhD thesis.
- Participate in HAP3 training workshops, seminars, and conferences.
- Publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Present research outcomes at scientific conferences.
Scholarship Benefits
Selected candidates will receive a competitive MSCA Doctoral Researcher salary package, including:
- Living allowance
- Mobility allowance
- Family allowance (where applicable)
- Social security and employment benefits according to German regulations
Indicative remuneration:
- Approx. €3,340 gross/month
- Mobility allowance: €600/month
- Family allowance: €660/month (if eligible)
(Final salary will depend on institutional regulations, taxation, and social security conditions.)
How to Apply
Interested candidates must submit the following documents via email:
📧 Application Email: info@hap3.eu
Required documents:
- Copy of ID card or passport
- Academic degree certificates
- Certified translations of documents (if not in English)
- Master’s degree transcript
- Proof of English proficiency
- Academic CV
- Motivation letter
- Contact details of two academic referees
Selection Process
- Eligibility screening and evaluation of submitted documents.
- Ranking of candidates based on qualifications and skills.
- Online interview for shortlisted candidates.
- Final online interview for selected applicants.
Last Date to Apply
31 July 2026
Contact Information:
For research-related queries:
Dr. Susan Garthus-Niegel
Email: susan.garthus-niegel@ukdd.de
For application-related queries:
Email: info@hap3.eu
