PhD position in Neuroimaging and Deep Learning in Alzheimer’s Disease - 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

The Brain Connectomics Lab is led by Senior Researcher and Associate Professor Joana B. Pereira and consists of 3 PhD students and 2 Postdocs working at Karolinska Institute and Gothenburg University in Sweden. Our research is focused on developing new brain connectivity measures derived from structural MRI, functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging in patients with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Our current projects are based on the assessment of brain connectivity and network topology in different stages of these disorders as well as their relationship with clinical measures. We also work with analyses of spatial patterns derived from amyloid and tau positron emission tomography as well as cerebrospinal fluid and plasma biomarkers and different machine learning approaches.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

In this research project, the student is expected to apply methods based on deep neural networks to identify the anatomical and functional brain connections that are most vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease and assess whether they can predict cognitive decline. The student will also have the opportunity to learn and apply computational models to identify the mechanisms responsible for the damage of brain connections in AD. Finally, the student will include the methods developed in this project in the second version of our software (BRAPH), which will soon be released.

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 should have the following qualities:

• Background in computational science, neuropsychology, physics, statistics, medicine or a related field.
• Experience in statistical techniques, programming, or scripting in MATLAB, Python and/or R.
• Experience with structural MRI, DTI, fMRI or PET imaging analyses.
• Clinical or research experience with aging and/or neurodegenerative disorders.
• Previous scientific publications are a merit.

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.

Joana Pereiras research group

Research at the Department NVS

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