Doctoral (PhD) student position in Reproductive Epidemiology - 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

Seeking a highly motivated and skilled doctoral student to join the reproductive epidemiology group led by Dr Anna Sara Oberg, docent, in the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Broadly interested in the causes and consequences of reproductive challenges, our research spans across the entire range of sensitive periods from pre-conception through pregnancy to delivery and concerns the health of both mother and child. Specialized in the utilization of national registers, we place a strong focus on the challenges to causal inference from observational data.

Most work is collaborative, from involving individual experts to working in various team constellations and contributing to multi-center studies. The student will have access to a rich network of clinical, methodological and technical experts in-house and elsewhere, ensuring methodological and subject-matter expertise. The PIs adjunct affiliation and well-established networks shall also allow ample opportunity for international experiences and exchange.

Read more about the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics here

Read more about the research group here

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral project is focused on the safety of fertility treatments with regard to women’s cardiovascular health. An extensive linkage of national registers of health and demographics will be used to map the use of fertility treatments in Sweden, and to perform follow-up with respect to immediate risk of venous thromboembolism and long-term risk of cardiovascular events respectively.

The student will be involved in all parts of the project, from contributing to the study design and protocol, acquisition and management of data from national population-registers, statistical data analysis, writing scientific publications and disseminating the results. The student will benefit from the rich infrastructure at the department, including access to large register-linkages and state-of-the-art computational and biostatistical support, and is also expected to contribute to it by engaging in student-related activities (seminars, journal clubs) and assisting with a linkage update during the duration of the project. Participation in courses, seminars and conferences, along with presentations of scientific results, are all part of the doctoral education.

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 project requires broad medical understanding as well as strong analytical skills, hence the applicant should have a background (master degree) in medicine or quantitative research methods (epidemiology/biostatistics), or ideally both. Excellent knowledge of and proficiency in spoken and written scientific English is an absolute requirement. Demonstrated research interest and ability through previous experience is considered highly meriting, as is experience with data management and analysis using statistical software such as STATA, SAS, R or similar. Special knowledge and interest in reproductive medicine or cardiovascular health is naturally meriting as well. Familiarity with large population registers is meritorious, but not a requirement, as is some basic understanding of written Swedish (facilitating handling and understanding of the data).

Doctoral education requires great focus and dedication. The research process requires a combination of creativity, patience and great attention to detail. Critical thinking, self-motivation and ability to work independently are essential skills of a successful candidate. A genuine interest and ability to engage with colleagues to further the research and training is also highly valued.

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.

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

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