PhD position in clinical geriatrics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

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 research group "Nordic Brain Network" (NBN) at the Centre for Alzheimer's Research offers a dynamic and international research environment where the healthy brain aging is the focus. NBN is part of the Division of Clinical Geriatrics at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) at KI. The goal of the NBN research is to identify and prevent the development of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Our activities include research, implementation, and information dissemination. We participate in international research networks with both prevention and treatment studies, such as multimodal lifestyle interventions for people at risk for developing cognitive problems and clinical drug-trials for dementia.

The research at the Clinical Geriatrics, is clinically focused on diagnosis, prevention, and treatment and the researchers works closely with Theme Aging and the cognitive clinics in Solna and Huddinge at Karolinska University Hospital. The Division of Clinical Geriatrics, with over 100 employees and affiliated researchers, is located both in Neo Campus Flemingsberg and in the Q building in Solna. The division conducts research focusing on cognitive impairment, dementia, and other age-related diseases as well as education in geriatrics. Our research is multifaceted in close collaboration with leading universities and clinics all over the world.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The PhD project will focus on new biomarker’s (microbiome, MRI, beta amyloid, tau, and body composition) relationship to nutrition and the development of cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. The project will specifically investigate the relationship of diet-gut-brain-connection and covers the full spectrum of cognition in aging (healthy individuals, subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia). The project is based on both observational studies and studies of multidomain interventions (randomized clinical studies) in the prevention of dementia. These include diet, physical exercise, cognitive training, social stimulation, management of vascular/metabolic risk factors and medical foods. The focus will be placed both on cognitive changes and on the connections to the gut-brain barrier and the related biomarkers studied.

In addition to completing doctoral student courses at KI and acquiring the required credits, the doctoral student's tasks will include carrying out literature reviews, data analyses (both from clinic-based databases and from controlled randomized lifestyle interventions (RCT)), interpretation of the results and writing and publication of scientific articles. The PhD student will also present the research results in seminars/conferences and take an active role in data entry, data management, data cleansing and preparing data files for analysis.

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

The ideal candidate for this PhD position has a MSc in Nutrition Science and is licensed dietician. Preference is given to candidates with previous research experiences related to the subject of diet and dementia, as well as multimodal lifestyle interventions, which is central to this PhD project. Competence in biostatistics and experience in data management is also a merit for this position.

Since the applicant will be part of an international and interdisciplinary research team, flexibility, collaborative, and problem-solving skills are required. Extremely good communication skills (oral and written) are also a requirement as the doctoral student will interact with clinicians, researchers, and participants in studies within the Doctoral Student Project.

We are looking for a candidate who is driven, motivated, takes initiative and can work independently. Language: The applicant must have knowledge of both Swedish and English (written and oral).

Terms and conditions

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

Video about Karolinska Institutet, how we all work towards "a better health for all"

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.

Your application must contain the following documents. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish:

- 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.

Center for Alzheimer Research

Nordic Brain Network

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