Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship
We invite applications for a PhD position focused on the applications of bone mineral density measurements in forensic settings.
Background: Due to many different reasons, in particular aging, bone mineral density (BMD) may be reduced, leading to osteopenia or osteoporosis which is associated with an increased risk of fractures. This may have implications to forensic interpretations as it is unclear to what extent a low BMD may influence the outcome of a particular trauma and its role on the cause of death. Hence, utilizing data from postmortem CT-scanning (PMCT) routinely performed during medicolegal investigations, additional advanced imaging methods (e.g. Magnetic Resonance Imaging and µCT-scanning) and from histological analyses, this project will investigate the correlations among BMD-estimates obtained using both non-invasive and invasive methodologies. The PhD project aims to explore and further qualify the use of BMD as a proxy for bone quality (and strength) and investigate how BMD may influence the interpretation of cause of skeletal injuries and death in forensic settings.
The successful applicant will contribute to the exploration and interpretation of these aims. This includes developing protocols for µCT-scans, obtaining data from a range of imaging modalities and histological samples from human subjects, conducting advanced data analyses, and disseminating results through scientific publications and conference presentations. Themes for the project include; 1) a systematic review providing contemporary usage of BMD utilization in a forensic context, 2) a multi-modality imaging and histological comparison of BMD and bone quality estimates in a forensic population, and 3) applying findings from 1 & 2 in a multi-center BMD-PMCT-based analysis of the associations of BMD on selected fracture patterns. The successful applicant will join the strong interdisciplinary research team at the Department of Forensic Medicine at Aarhus University, as well as the projects national and international collaborators. The study will be based at Aarhus University. A stay-abroad will be expected for a duration of approximately 6 months.
A master's degree in medicine or related fields. Further, prior experience with forensic medicine including quantitative (PM) CT analysis, epidemiological and statistical experience, strong organizational skills and experience from previous research activities will be a plus.
Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 1 July 2025 at 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2025.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please contact Associate Professor Lars Uhrenholt, lu@forens.au.dk, for more information.
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
