Doctoral (PhD) student position in rheumatology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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

Our group is a node for clinical research with focus on the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and overlapping conditions. Several senior researchers, post docs and PhD students belong to the group and we have ongoing studies that cover many different aspects of SLE. The core clinical base for our research is a very well characterized SLE cohort and matched controls. Since this cohort was established 25 years ago, we have collected valuable clinical information and blood samples. Originating from the cohort, we perform a variety of more focused investigations covering many aspects of SLE including patient reported outcomes, in depth studies of specific organ specific manifestations, immunological studies and genetics. We have well established collaborations with experimental scientists at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), KI, as well as with clinical epidemiologists at the clinical epidemiology division. We are also active in several projects within the national Swedish SLE network, and in international collaborations.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The overarching aim of this PhD project is to study underlying causes of the high risk of premature myocardial infarctions and heart failure in patients with SLE. The project will utilize two different approaches. 1) We will study a selected SLE population from our cohort with advanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) that is available at the Clinical Physiology unit at Karolinska university hospital. These studies will investigate to what extent microvascular disease, fibrosis and inflammation contribute to myocardial disease in SLE. 2) In the second approach, we will make use of our existing SLE cohort at Karolinska and our unique Swedish registers. These studies will be performed together with co-supervisor Elizabeth Arkema at the clinical epidemiology division within the Department of Medicine, Solna. We will identify patients with SLE and cardiac disease in the national patient registers and perform linkages to Swedeheart and other registers with the aim to identify risk factors for cardiac disease. We also intend to study treatment and prognosis. In one project, we will perform a follow up study of the 540 SLE patients and matched controls in our well-established SLE cohort.

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

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student who ideally is a medical doctor and can take part in the inclusion and characterization of patients and perform medical file reviews. Previous experience with cardiology and/or rheumatology is a merit.

For the CMRI study, you are expected to independently contact and investigate patients and collaborations with other professionals. For this study, you will need to be good at collaboration and you will need organizing and social qualities.

Interest and experience in data handling and statistics are also merits since the epidemiological studies will demand handling of large data sets and statistical analyses.

The project is now designed as a 100 % PhD position for four years. The first year should be performed as full time PhD studies, but thereafter we are open for solutions involving part time clinical work.

Terms and conditions

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.

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.

Location

The Department of Medicine, Solna, consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group Elisabet Svenungsson, at the Rheumatology division.

research group

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