PhD position in Biostatistics/Demography - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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.

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) is among the largest departments of epidemiology in Europe with special focus on increasing our knowledge of the aetiology of different diseases. Our department consists of researchers, doctoral students, biostatisticians, data collectors and database administrators as well as administrative personnel, in total some 250 staff. The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at ki.se/meb.

The research group

A doctoral student position is available within the biostatistics group at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) at Karolinska Institutet (https://ki.se/meb), Stockholm. The biostatistics group at MEB, KI comprises 5 professors, 3 senior lecturers, 9 PhD-level statisticians, 4 masters-level statisticians, and 10 doctoral students. The group is involved in a wide variety of research projects, including population-based cohort and case-control studies, twin and family studies, survival analyses, predictive modeling, genetic epidemiology and bioinformatics.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The aims of this doctoral project are to (a) describe the variation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing by small areas and socio-economic status and (b) investigate potential biases in using small area estimates of exposure for family-based studies. These analyses will use the large-scale Swedish health and population registers, including the Stockholm PSA and Biopsy Register and the Swedish Multi-generation Register.

For (a), the doctoral project will involve estimating smooth maps of PSA testing patterns. We will investigate how much of the variation is due to socio-economic status at the individual level and the area level. The spatial relationships will be investigated using geographical information systems together with Bayesian methods. For (b), we will use simulations to assess the impact of measurement error for small area exposure measures on the associations based on family studies. The project will investigate methods for estimating the measurement error and possible adjustments to get unbiased estimates. The methods will be applied to several domains. The doctoral project will be a mix of biostatistics, demography and epidemiology.

The successful applicant will be supervised by Mark Clements (Senior Lecturer in Biostatistics), Sara Öberg (Principal Researcher in Epidemiology) and Ralf Kuja-Halkola (Statistician).

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 position will require a second-cycle university degree in biostatistics or demography.  Experience in geographical information systems and analyses of data from the Swedish health and population registers will be considered as strengths. Personal qualities for the role include being independent, structured, performance-oriented and with strong analytical abilities.

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.

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