Doctoral (PhD) student position in clinical epidemiology with focus on maternal vaccination

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

The research group

The doctoral position is located within the Reproductive, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Group, at the Clinical Epidemiology Division, Department of Medicine, Solna. The research group has extensive and successful experience in perinatal studies, utilizing high-quality population-based healthcare and quality registers. Additionally, we conduct randomized studies and qualitative studies in clinical settings. Our research covers a broad spectrum, focusing on risk factors, interventions, and medical management during pregnancy, childbirth, and the neonatal period, and how these impact maternal and child outcomes.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In this doctoral project, we will study vaccination during pregnancy, focusing on the safety of vaccinations for the pregnant individual, the fetus, and the child; the effectiveness of vaccines against severe infections during pregnancy and infancy; and factors related to women's willingness and reluctance to vaccinate during pregnancy. The project includes register-based epidemiological studies as well as qualitative interview studies. The long-term goal of the project is to contribute knowledge that can lead to increased trust in vaccines in society, targeted interventions to enhance vaccination uptake during pregnancy, and, ultimately, a reduced burden of disease in the population.

The doctoral student will be involved in all parts of the project, ranging from contributing to the study protocol and study design, data management from large population-based registers, in-depth qualitative interviews, statistical and qualitative data analysis, writing scientific publications, and disseminating the results. The position will involve theoretical studies and training in epidemiology and qualitative design, advanced statistical methods, and public health. The doctoral student is also encouraged to attend relevant seminars at the department and present the study results at national and international conferences.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. As a doctoral student you are offered an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a vast range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. Karolinska Institutet collaborates with prominent universities from all around the world, which ensures opportunities for international exchanges. You will be employed on a doctoral studentship which means that you receive a contractual salary. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Eligibility requirements for doctoral education

In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) eligibility requirements at latest by the application deadline.

It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

A) General eligibility requirement

You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

1. have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
3. have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.*

Follow the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page Assessing equivalent knowledge for general eligibility for doctoral education.

B) Specific eligibility requirement

You meet the specific eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

- Show proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.

Follow the instructions on the web page English language requirements for doctoral education.

Verification of your documents Karolinska Institutet checks the authenticity of your documents. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.

(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.

Skills and personal qualities

Necessary:

• The applicant must have completed relevant education, preferably in public health, epidemiology, medicine, midwifery, or similar field, with a strong interest and/or clinical experience in infectious diseases and/or vaccinations and/or pregnancy.
• The applicant should have excellent knowledge of spoken and written scientific English, as the research group operates in an international environment where a lot of communication takes place in English.
• The applicant should be able to work well both in a team and independently, as well as in an international environment.

Desirable:

• Experience in research in the field of epidemiology or public health
• Experience with project management, writing research protocols, ethical applications, and Swedish register data orders
• Experience interpreting results from epidemiologic and/or qualitative studies
• Skills in programming and/or statistics are desirable, as much of the data processing will be done in statistical programs such as STATA and SAS
• Skills in qualitative study design
• Previous scientific publications are advantageous
• Comprehension of Swedish or one of the other Scandinavian languages

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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Application process

Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish.

Your application must contain the following documents:

- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above
- Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
- Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)

Selection

A selection will be made among eligible applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:

- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
- Analytical skill
- Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

Principal Investigator Anne Örtqvist

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