Doctoral (PhD) student position in online autism support

Do you want to contribute to top quality 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.

Do you want to contribute to better care, support and well-being for people with autism?

We are looking for a psychologist or neighboring profession (e.g. speech pathologist, occupational therapist), with experience working with autistic children/adolescents and those with other neurodevelopmental conditions, and with a passion for conducting research that aims to contribute to enhanced support, quality of life and well-being of individuals diagnosed with autism. We at KIND (Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet) have been developing, adapting, and evaluating standardized social skills group training programs for autistic children and adolescents in clinical (KONTAKT) and educational settings (SKOLKONTAKT) in Sweden and other countries for 20 years. This current project and doctoral student position seeks to develop and evaluated a digital version of KONTAKT (iKONTAKT) to enable effective support of autistic adolescents online.

KIND research center and research team

KIND is an internationally recognized center of excellence and an inspiring environment for doctoral studies in neurodevelopmental conditions, i.e. autism, ADHD, language disorder, dyslexia and others. At KIND, we conduct research, education and development in the field. KIND has approx. 60 affiliated staff from several countries and professional disciplines, four research groups and forms with other units the BUP-FOU center at Torsplan, Gävlegatan 22, in a central location in Stockholm. Our vision is an inclusive society with equal opportunities for people with neurodevelopmental conditions and their families. We enjoy a high level of trust both nationally and internationally in the field and our work is sought after and valued through several awards, assignments and important grants. There are 4 to 5 people within KIND who work with social skills intervention (KONTAKT, SKOLKONTAKT and iKONTAKT) and are part of Sven Bölte's research group. We want you to become part of KIND! For more information about KIND visit: www.ki.se/kind

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The primary aim of the doctoral student project is to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of the multimodal, online social skills group training program iKONTAKT by means of an open feasibility study. We will quantify completion of the program and participation in its different elements, as well as possible negative effects. Qualitative interviews with youth and caregivers are conducted to capture their lived experience of the program. The secondary aim is to examine the preliminary effects of iKONTAKT on social skills improvement, personal growth, social goal attainment, daily functioning, and anxious/depressive symptoms. The third goal is to explore and thereafter address areas of possible improvement of iKONTAKT to fine-tune both contents and delivery. The overarching purpose of the project is thus to determine if iKONTAKT is a feasible and safe program, whether it can be further improved, and if it shows within-subjects effects on desired outcomes that justify a full-scale randomized controlled trial using a specific quantitative primary outcome measure.

Under the lead of KIND´s director, the PhD student will in the project be operationally driving the iKONTAKT project and it´s feasibility study, finalizing the iKONTAKT-material, implement the feasibility study together with the team including being a iKONTAKT-trainer with patient contact and collection as well as analyzing of data.  

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

This position requires fluent Swedish spoken and written owing to close contact with Swedish study participants. Fluent English spoken and written on an academic level is also required, as well as and basic knowledge of scientific and statistical methods. Clinical experience, knowledge of neurodevelopmental conditions and experience in working with young autistic individuals and their relatives is meriting. The position requires further convincing scientific writing, and excellent administration and coordination skills. We seek a responsible, dedicated personality, with skills to work both independently and to work in a team under sometimes stressful conditions. Further, we are looking for a person that will contribute actively and constructively to the development of the KIND Center as a whole, to share our vision and to show a good collaborative spirit.

Terms and conditions

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

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.

https://ki.se/kind

https://ki.se/en/kind/research-at-kind/kontakt-a-group-based-social-skills-training-method-for-autistic-youth

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all