Doctoral (PhD) student position in genetic epidemiology of multiple sclerosis

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

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

In our research group, you will work with researchers who conduct world-leading research on the occurrence and progression of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). We are working to integrate large-scale clinical information with molecular genetics, environmental/lifestyle data and registry data. This work is based on intensive local, national and international collaborations. We offer a creative and inspiring environment with broad expertise in genetics and epidemiology and close links to clinics. The Center for Molecular Medicine is a research environment with groups that study various public diseases with a wide range of methods and there are great opportunities to interact with researchers in other groups through joint seminar series and collaborations. 

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

MS is a lifelong neurological disease that affects individuals, primarily women, in their most productive years with varying degrees of progressive disability that affects all areas of life and includes physical impairment, cognitive impairment, and fatigue. This PhD project aims to develop models to predict risk of developing MS based on both genetics and other risk factors for MS. This will be achieved by leveraging one of the largest and richest MS datasets available in the world. As a PhD student, you will utilize and develop polygenic risk score calculations and combine these with non-genetic risk factors including anti-viral antibody responses.

You will spend most of your time on computational tasks, developing and applying methods for management, quality control and analysis of extensive data sets. You will be supervised by researchers who together offer expertise in computational biology, genetic epidemiology and machine learning. Some of the projects are part of a collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, while one of the projects will be carried out in collaboration with researchers at Stanford University in the United States. In addition, the PhD project will be closely linked to the WISDOM project, an EU-funded initiative coordinated by 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 seeking an intelligent, creative, hardworking, and enthusiastic team player for this project. The PhD student is expected to participate in statistical analysis, the design, development, and implementation of computational methods, as well as scientific writing and presentations.

Applicants must be deeply interested in computational medicine research and have a master's degree in epidemiology, computational biology, computer science, bioinformatics, or related fields. Familiarity with basic concepts in statistical and genetic analysis is required. Strong programming skills in Python, R, and Linux-based software or similar programming languages, as well as data visualization and experience with parallel computing frameworks with clusters such as UPPMAX and GPUs for high-performance computing, are essential. Although not required, experience in virology, public health, preventive medicine, and interest in modern machine learning and deep learning frameworks, network theory, and its applications are beneficial.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate good social and communicative skills. In order to be able to integrate with the members of the research group and our international partners, a high level of proficiency in spoken and written English is important. The applicant must be able to collaborate and interact with professionals at different skill levels in a professional and constructive manner. Cooperation requires responsibility, flexibility and sometimes compromises. Previous experience of working within international consortia is advantageous. The applicant should be committed to maintaining a friendly and productive work environment.

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
Read more about the research group you will be a part of

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