Doctoral (PhD) student position in Causes and consequences of endometriosis - 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 PhD student will be part of the Global and Sexual Health research group (GloSH) at the Department of Global Public Health at KI. The research project is a collaboration between KI and Region Stockholm’s Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine (CES), and more specifically CES´s unit for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

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. The research at the department of Global Public Health at KI is conducted in areas such as global health, public health epidemiology, healthcare services, prevention and health promotion, and social medicine. Many of the department's researchers are scientific advisors to authorities and other decision-makers at regional, national and international level. The department has 12 research groups, about 110 research students and about 140 employees.

The research group GloSH works interdisciplinary with a focus on various aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) such as gynecological conditions, youth health, prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, contraceptives, unsafe abortions, gender equality, gender-based violence, health economics and e-health. Our researchers have broad experience in both quantitative and qualitative study design and implementation research. 

CES within Region Stockholm is an intermediary Research and Development (R&D) organization that engages in epidemiological surveillance and aids public authorities within Region Stockholm. It employs about 80 epidemiologists, statisticians and public health experts with extensive experience in epidemiologic studies and analyses of healthcare data in Stockholm County. The Centre has close links to the Region Stockholm’s health service system, thus granting more effective translation of research findings into clinical practice. The SRHR Unit within CES has regional responsibility for public health issues within SRHR, and employs several analysts and a statistician.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This project aims to fill key knowledge gaps regarding the relationship between endometriosis and mental ill health, and to determine the impact of endometriosis on life course socioeconomic conditions. Deeper knowledge on the causes and consequences of endometriosis could help to develop preventive strategies, improve treatment, and ultimately improve the lives of affected women.

The doctoral student will contribute to the development of study designs, data processing, analyse large-scale national and regional registry data, as well as data from genome wide association studies (GWAS), and scientific writing. The student will use a variety of study designs and statistical methods, such as traditional cohort design, family-based designs and mendelian randomization (MR) study design. The student will actively participate in seminars at the department, present research results at international conferences, attend PhD courses and theoretical studies and training in epidemiology and statistical methods.

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 applicant should have a background in medicine, public health or epidemiology. We put great importance to personal qualities in this recruitment. As a person, you are ambitious, curious, and motivated. You need to have a structured and analytical way of working. You demonstrate problem-solving skills. You enjoy independent work, but you are also collaborative and have good communication skills.

In addition to aforementioned requirements, the applicant must have:

• Knowledge in epidemiology and previous experience in programming and/or quantitative data analysis that they want to further develop.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A genuine interest in the research areas of endometriosis, gynaecological conditions in general, and in mental health and diseases.

Additional skills that are meritorious for the position:

• Good knowledge of the Swedish health care system and Swedish language.
• Experience of working with the statistical programs (SAS and/or R).
• Experience of clinical work within gynecology and/or psychiatry.
• Previous research experience.

Terms and conditions

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

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 GlOSH research group

Read more about SRHR unit

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