Doctoral (PhD) student position in population-based cancer patient survival analysis - 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 successful candidate will perform research jointly with the cancer epidemiology group at the Clinical Epidemiology Division (KEP), Department of Medicine Solna, and the colorectal cancer research group at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery under the principal supervision of Dr Sandra Eloranta. The position will be formally placed at KEP where the research group currently includes 20 researchers, of which several post-docs and doctoral students work part-time clinically at the Karolinska University Hospital. The group is also home to 6 biostatisticians. The research performed by the group is heavily focused on register-based clinical cancer epidemiology with an emphasis on cancer survival and survivorship research.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This PhD project addresses research related to the risk and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death and the incidence of the disease is increasing. The specific aims that will be addressed in this project include to advance knowledge about hereditary factors, reproductive and hormonal factors and colorectal cancer incidence and survival. A second aim is to address early detection of patients with high risk of developing relapses and metastatic disease by investigating the potential role of circulating tumor DNA and other biomarkers that might be useful to monitor treatment response and disease progression in a prediction modelling setting.

The studies have been designed to suit a candidate with a background in biostatistics as they will also be performed with the intent of demonstrating how the use of novel methodology in biostatistics, epidemiology and data science can be used to maximize the use of large amounts of diverse types of data. All studies have a strong clinical anchoring in the context of both epidemiology and precision medicine.

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

Specific requirements

• An MSc degree in biostatistics, statistics or mathematical statistics.
• Excellent knowledge in biostatistics and experience with regression modelling of survival data, since the project involves applying state-of-the-art statistical methodology, including flexible parametric models, multi-state models, and survival models for recurrent events and competing risks.
• Documented work experience in using population-based health register data for research (i.e., leading to a scientific report, master thesis, scientific publication or similar).
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Swedish since the research will require close collaboration with colleagues in Sweden, as well as the ability to understand metadata and other forms of documentation currently only available in Swedish.
• Strong programming skills in relevant statistical software (proficiency in R and/or SAS is preferable).

Additional requirements

• Excellent communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and the ability to collaborate in teams.
• Independence with respect to ability to plan and perform tasks, identify and solve problems.
• Motivation to pursue a PhD, independence and ability to collaborate and engage in the scientific activities in the research groups at the Clinical Epidemiology division as well as at the Department of Molecular medicine and Surgery.
• Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies within this research field.

Terms and conditions

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

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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.

Location

The employment will be at the Department of Medicine, Solna. The Department consists of twelve divisions and each division consists of several research groups. This position is located within the clinical epidemiology division, in the cancer epidemiology group, team Sandra Eloranta. More information about the group can be found at KEP: Cancer Epidemiology Group

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