Doctoral (PhD) student position in Clinical Psychiatry - 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

You will become a member of the Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders (OCD-RD) Across the Lifespan research group, led by Professor David Mataix-Cols. The research group is an engaging and international research environment where you will have the opportunity to contribute to high quality research at international top level. The research projects conducted within the group aim to understand the genetic and environmental risk factors of OCD-RDs, investigate the long-term consequences of OCD-RDs, and design novel interventions for OCD-RDs and conduct clinical trials.

The research group belongs to the Centre for Psychiatry Research (CPF), which is a joint venture between Region Stockholm and the Karolinska Institutet. The task of CPF is to conduct and develop research, teaching and development within clinical psychiatry in the county of Stockholm. The 24 independent research groups at CPF cover a range of topics, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, psychosis, personality disorders, abuse, and suicide.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral student will lead a new project that focuses on the development and evaluation of the efficacy of a novel digital intervention for obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people with autism. The overall aim is to increase the availability of specialised treatment for this patient group at the national level. The project includes 3 studies: a multicentric randomized controlled trial, a health economic evaluation, and a separate implementation study. All aspects of the research will be conducted in collaboration with service users, clinicians, and other stakeholders in order to optimise the procedures and ensure that the outcomes are relevant and transferrable to the real world.

Under supervision, the student will coordinate and execute all studies and will be involved in all phases of the project (e.g., protocol development, ethical application, recruitment, assessments, treatment delivery, analyses, writing up papers). Different designs and methods are involved in each one of the proposed studies, which ensures that, by the end of the PhD program, the student will have acquired a wide range of transferrable skills. 

The scientific and clinical activities related to the doctoral project will be developed at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Research Center, based in Torsplan, Stockholm. The Center agglutinates several research groups at Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm clinical services under the same roof, providing a fertile environment for clinical research and academic training. 

The position is partially funded by the Karolinska Institutet Research School in Health Science. The successful candidate has to be part of all compulsory courses and attend doctoral student activities within the school. On the research school website there is information about the project and contact details of the main supervisor.

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

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic candidate with clinical experience in a relevant field, such as clinical psychology or psychiatry. Clinical experience working with autistic children who have psychiatric comorbidities, such as anxiety or OCD, would be highly desirable. Previous documented research and project coordination experience are also desirable. Proficiency in both Swedish and English is required.

As the project involves evaluating a digital intervention, clinical or research experience using Internet-based cognitive behavioural treatments (ICBT) will be highly valued. Familiarity with statistical analyses and statistical programs is desirable. Academic skills (e.g., published articles, conference presentations, teaching) will also be valued.

The candidate should also have strong interpersonal skills and be able to take responsibility for the working tasks. The candidate should also be able to take initiative and be flexible to manage different tasks effectively and ensure that project goals are consistently met.

Potential candidates will be interviewed, and personal skills and characteristics will be considered when filling the position.

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.

Read more about the Department of Clinical Neuroscience here
Read more about the research you will be part of here

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