Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship
The position is anchored in the interdisciplinary research group Interdisciplinary Orthopedics and supervised by Professor Rikke Damkjær Maimburg and Professor Ole Rahbek.
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) affects approximately 0.7–1.0% of newborns and may lead to lifelong disability if not detected early. Current selective screening strategies based on clinical examination and risk factors miss a substantial proportion of cases, and late diagnosis often results in invasive surgical treatment.
The SAFE-HIP project introduces an innovative screening approach combining clinical examination with a simple point-of-care ultrasound measurement (pubo-femoral distance, PFD), performed by midwives. Previous studies have demonstrated that this approach:
• Reduces unnecessary referrals by ~35%
• Increases detection of severe DDH by ~50%
• Is feasible for midwives with limited ultrasound training
The present PhD project focuses on real-world implementation and evaluation of SAFE-HIP in maternity units across Denmark.
The PhD candidate will contribute to a prospective cohort implementation and effectiveness study across multiple Danish maternity units.
The project has two main components and this PhD Fellowship Announcement addresses the first component.
1) Process evaluation using qualitative and mixed methods
• Explore experiences of:
o Midwives
o Parents
o Clinical stakeholders
• Identify barriers and facilitators for implementation
• Assess fidelity, adaptations, and contextual factors using the MRC framework for complex interventions
2) Implementation and effectiveness evaluation
• Assess the real-world impact of SAFE-HIP on:
o DDH detection rate (primary outcome)
o Number of diagnostic ultrasounds
o Cost-effectiveness
• Evaluate integration into clinical workflows and scalability
The project will involve close collaboration with midwives, radiologists, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and health economics and includes both clinical fieldwork and qualitative research.
The candidate will work closely with local project midwives and contribute to:
• Training of midwives and onboarding of maternity sites
• Data collection and quality assurance
• Analysis and dissemination
The PhD study will include:
• Completion of PhD courses
• Scientific publications
• A PhD thesis
• Teaching and dissemination activities
• Participate in our research environment and journal club
• Participation in national and international conferences
The SAFE-HIP project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between:
• Aalborg University Hospital (AAUH)
• Aarhus University Hospital (AUH)
The team includes expertise in:
• Pediatric orthopedics
• Midwifery and implementation research
• Radiology and ultrasound
The project is embedded in a strong translational research environment with national collaborations. Our team is characterized by a high level of professionalism and a loyal and positive atmosphere.
• Professor Rikke Damkjær Maimburg, AU (Main supervisor)
• Professor Ole Rahbek, AAUH (Principal Investigator)
The PhD position is for 3 years and follows the Danish collective agreement for PhD fellows. Your main workplace will be at Aarhus University Hospital with attendance on most working days and occasionally on the included maternity sites.
Salary will be in accordance with the applicable collective agreement
Please notice that the project involves direct contact with children under the age of 15, so employment is conditional on the university obtaining a statement of no previous convictions in respect of children.
We are specifically seeking a midwife with an interest in research and implementation
• Degree in midwifery (or equivalent health profession or public health candidate) with sufficient ECTS to access the phd programme
• Strong interest in clinical research, implementation, and innovation
• Experience with or strong interest in qualitative research methods
• Interest in complex interventions and healthcare implementation
• Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams
• Able to receive and apply feedback constructivelyExcellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Experience with:
o Qualitative or mixed-methods research
o Clinical research projects
o Implementation science
• Research experience
• Interest in maternal and neonatal care
Please submit your application including:
• Motivation letter (1-2 pages)
• CV (1-2 pages)
• Degree certificates
• Documentation of relevant experience
• Reference from a manager or supervisor
Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 27 July 2026 at 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2026.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please contact Professor Rikke Damkjær Maimburg, rmai@clin.au.dk, or Professor Ole Rahbek, olerah@rm.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.
