Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent condition affecting up to 3% of children and adolescents. The disorder often leads to significant functional impairment and lower educational attainment. Evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy and medications have demonstrated efficacy in reducing OCD symptoms and to have a positive impact on the overall well-being. In this context, early intervention appears crucial to prevent chronic and more clinically complex courses. However, the mental health sector experiences challenges, and it is not always possible to assess and treat all children and adolescents with disabling OCD within a reasonable timeframe.
The primary objective of the project is to enhance and ensure easily accessible, timely, and evidence-based treatment for children/adolescents with OCD in order to counteract the adverse impacts of OCD on overall well-being, school attendance and leisure activities.
To achieve this objective, the project`s aim is to develop and evaluate an age-adjusted digital delivered treatment program. Children/adolescents aged 12-17 years may either self-refer or be referred by professionals. All referrals undergo a comprehensive assessment focusing on symptom description and evaluation of the child and their family's functioning. Those diagnosed with obsessive and compulsive symptoms without severe co-occurring symptoms necessitating immediate treatment, are eligible for enrollment in the digital treatment program. The digital treatment program will be based on solid experience gained in the internationally well-reputed NordLOTS treatment manual. A parental program is prepared concurrently.
The phd project is part of a larger clinical project. The phd project comprises the following stages:
1. Qualitative interviews with parents to children previously diagnosed and treated for OCD
2. Taking part in designing an age-appropriate digital treatment program and the psychoeducational support for parents: Data collection in the workshops with children/adolescents and their parents including qualitative interviews concerning the process
3. A randomised clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the treatment program: a primary study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the treatment program in 20 randomised families, and a single-case study, where the therapeutic process of 10 randomly selected children and adolescents is described in detail.
By involving young participants and families at every stage of the study, we aim to lay the groundwork for the program's successful implementation. We hypothesize that an interactive digital treatment will be an effective treatment procedure, and that the effectiveness of a digital treatment may vary based on factors such as comorbidity, age, and family social functioning. Patients and families are expected to favor digital interventions at home due to reduced disruptions to work and school routines, as well as transportation challenges.
The Children and Adolescent Psychiatric Department at Aarhus University Hospital and the Central Denmark Region support the digital treatment project, and are in progress of refining the technical platform, thereby ensuring that the project will be technically achieved and supported.
Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 20 August 2025 at 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 October 2025.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please contact clinical associate professor Judith Becker Nissen, judiniss@rm.dk, for more information.
Please note: The project involves contact with children under the age of 15.
The university is obliged to obtain statements of no previous convictions in respect to children for employees at Aarhus University whose work involves contact with children under 15. You can read more here.
All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
