Doctoral (PhD) student position in diagnostics research capacity development for fragile settings - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

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 Department of Global Public Health is an interdisciplinary institution that aims to advance knowledge on how to improve population health at local, national and global level. Research at the department aims to identify the determinants of health, develop and evaluate individual and structural interventions, and provide evidence for guidelines and policy documents. Many of the department's researchers are scientific advisors to authorities and other decision-makers at regional, national and international level. The department has 9 research groups, about 100 research students and about 140 employees

The Global Child Health and SDGs sub-group falls under the Health Systems and Policy research group which covers both research on and for policy. We strive to contribute to knowledge generation and knowledge sharing through multidisciplinary research, education and policy dialogue for improved coverage, quality, and equity of health systems. We use a systems perspective on global health while focusing on specific topics and research questions, and include two cross-cutting themes in our research activities: leadership and evidence-informed policy making. The aim of the Global Child health and SDGs group is to generate knowledge in order to improve health and equity for children of all ages and to improve the quality of care for children throughout the world.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The overall aim of the PhD project is to generate evidence for developing capacity for diagnostics research in and for Sub-Saharan Africa. The project will explore proteomic biomarkers on biosamples and metadata from a Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) paediatric cohort, and the establishment of an SSA biobanking network to support diagnostics ecosystem research and development in the region. This will be done through literature search and biosamples analyses for biomarkers that are associated with positive and negative outcomes of hospitalisation of febrile children to capacitate diagnostics development. The project will further explore factors and characteristics of a sustainable biobanking network in the region, as a critical component for a thriving and sustainable diagnostics research ecosystem.

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 doctoral candidate should have a degree in biomedicine/biomedical sciences and any one of the following disciplines: medicine, public health, global health, biobanking and biopreservation, epidemiology, demography, or biostatistics. The candidate will be required to be familiar with IVD development processes as well as the role of biobanking in the diagnostics ecosystem. Knowledge and training in GLP will be required while having a familiarity with GCP will be advantageous. This position will also require strong analytical and writing skills. The applicant must be proficient in written and oral English, while knowledge of French will be meritorious. Quantitative and qualitative research skills will be a pre-requisite as well. A good command of statistical software such as R, Stata, and GraphPad Prism will be an advantage. Working knowledge of Proteomics, Biobanking, and their role in IVD research and development will be an added advantage.

Previous experience in low- and middle-income research or healthcare delivery contexts, and familiarity with standards and regulations for IVD development and biobanking will be a merit. The candidate should be a motivated individual who is able to work independently as well as thrive in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team. The applicant should possess good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across different cultures.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Start date: as soon as possible

Location: Solna

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 (Swedish or English)
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any (swedish or English)
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above (Swedish or English)
- 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.

Read more about the Department of Global Public Health (GPH)

Read more about the Global Child Health and SDGs research group

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