Institutionen för neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

The Division of Neurogeriatrics consists of about 70 employees. The division conducts experimental and translational research related primarily to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, but also more general molecular mechanisms with biomedical relevance are studied, in BioClinicum, KI Campus Solna and Neo, KI Campus Flemingsberg.

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 Health Economic Research Group develops and applies tools and methods to estimate the value of medical innovations, including e.g. new diagnostic tests, prevention strategies, digital solutions and disease-modifying pharmaceuticals. Our research helps determine how these innovations are best used to improve health and provide value for patients, caregivers and society as a whole. We are a multi-disciplinary team that collaborates extensively with research groups nationally, internationally as well as within Karolinska Institutet.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This doctoral research project will explore the role of precision diagnostics in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease from a clinical and economic perspective. The aim is to assess the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness in different applications and scenarios. The project will address the following research questions:

  • How well can precision diagnostics in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease predict progression to dementia and long-term outcomes (institutionalization, overall survival)
  • What is the value and cost-effectiveness of precision diagnostics for clinical decision making in different stages of Alzheimer’s disease (non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment, care planning etc)
  • What is the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of plasma-based assays (p-Tau or amyloid-beta) for identifying Alzheimer’s disease in a primary care setting?
  • How could precision diagnostics enable cost-effective use of future disease-modifying therapies?

The goal of the project is to inform the uptake and implementation of precision diagnostics in clinical practice, which may in the future enable the cost-effective introduction of novel disease-modifying therapies.

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 successful candidate is expected to have a degree in Economics, Medicine, Public Health or an adjacent field, and a firm understanding of the principles and methods of health economic evaluation. Demonstrated experience with data management, statistical analysis and programming in R, STATA, SPSS or SAS is required. Previous experience from conducting economic evaluations, developing and applying health economic models is valued highly, as well as experience working with large health care registries. Prior knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders is also meriting but no requirement. Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. The work requires close collaboration with others, which is why flexibility and good communication skills are of great importance. A high degree of accuracy and diligence is also important for the position.

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. 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.

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Solna
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number STÖD 2-5857/2021
Contact
  • Linus Jönsson, 0708 673 522, linus.jonsson@ki.se
  • Johanna Lundblad, 08 524 868 35
Union representative
  • Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, 08-524 835 29
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
Published 05.Jan.2022
Last application date 26.Jan.2022 11:59 PM CET

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