MSCA- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Different indicators related to physical activity in children and adolescents to provide insights and tools for a more active and healthier society

The Pablo de Olavide University in Seville offers positions for researchers willing to implement a 2-3 years project based in Spain within the framework of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska Curie postdoctoral fellowships programme (MSCA-PF-2021). All top candidates having the approval of a supervisor at UPO will have the possibility of receiving specialized training in writing a successful proposal for the next MSCA-PF call. You can apply if at the time of the call deadline for the submission of MSCA-PF proposals (September, 2021): 1) you are in the possession of a PhD and you have not obtained your PhD more than 8 years ago; 2) you comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA; 3) you choose the Pablo de Olavide University as your Host Institution. We will be happy to support highly qualified candidates who are interested in any area of our research and are eligible for the MSCA funding. Please contact us by email to get all the details about available scientific supervisors and the procedure to benefit from the training on proposal writing.

Brief description of the Centre / Research Group:

The Faculty of Sport Sciences at the University Pablo de Olavide is located in Seville (Spain) and it is a young centre, which is developing a relevant research atmosphere. The Faculty offers a bachelor in sport sciences and postgraduate studies (Master and Doctorate) in the related field. Also, the department of Sport and Computer Sciences is increasing its research capacity by hiring new staff and the University is supporting new research lines providing resources to its development. Finally, the Faculty of Sport Sciences has been recognized as one of the top five in Spain by the Shanghai ranking (http://www.shanghairanking.com/Special-Focus-Institution-Ranking/Sport-Science-Schools-and-Departments-2020.html ).Also, the University has previous experience hosting postdoctoral researchers as well as other international students and staff.

The research line “Movement and Epidemiology in Minors” MOVEM is a project that it is in its first steps but with a relevant background in the field. MOVEM aims to advance in the knowledge on different indicators related to physical activity in children and adolescents to provide insights and tools for a more active and healthier society for them.

Project description:

The conceptual basis of the analyzed indicators has been provided by the international project “Global Matrix” and cover overall physical activity; organized sport and physical activity; active play; active transportation; sedentary behaviours; physical fitness; family and peers; school; community and environment; and government (public policies). The surveillance of these indicators is crucial to understand how the situation is changing. In addition, nowadays we are facing new challenges due to the pandemic, so it is even more relevant to describe the situation to provide solutions and trying to anticipate future consequences.

The current project has three main aims: i) to set up a network of professionals in the field of physical activity surveillance; ii) to build a dataset with information about the indicators in children and youth; and iii) to provide solutions to improve the situation. Results of this project will help the society in three ways: i) strengthening the research capacity in this field; ii) providing relevant insights that could help changing the current situation; iii) implementing solutions at local and medium scale.

Applications: Documents to be submitted by applicants:

• CV
• Expression of interest+ letter of recommendation