Doctoral (PhD) student position in epidemiology with focus on hospital-onset sepsis

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

At the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Department of Medicine, Solna, we perform research and education in infectious diseases in close collaboration with the Karolinska University Hospital. The research is translational, and involves clinical, epidemiological and experimental research in areas such as sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, covid-19, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, antibiotic resistance, and healthcare-associated infections.

The PhD student will join our international, dedicated research group (Pontus Nauclér) conducting epidemiological research on healthcare-associated infections and other serious infections such as sepsis and Covid-19. We research large data sets from electronic medical record data. The focus is on automated detection and prediction of infectious events, their epidemiology, and precision medicine where we investigate clinical phenotypes and targeted interventions and treatments. Our research group consists of a dynamic constellation of senior researchers, postdocs, PhD students, master students, computer scientists, statisticians, nurses and doctors.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening host-response to an infection resulting in organ dysfunction. Sepsis yearly affects millions of people worldwide, has a high mortality rate, and is a global health priority of which the prevention, diagnosis, and management should be improved. While most sepsis cases are community-onset, hospital-onset sepsis patients have been reported to have worse outcomes compared with community-onset sepsis patients, including increased mortality and longer hospital stays. Despite this, hospital-onset sepsis has not been fully explored to the same extent as sepsis in general, community-onset sepsis or other types of healthcare-associated infection.

The PhD student will expand the knowledge on hospital-onset sepsis in inpatients to improve their prevention, diagnosis, and management. For this purpose, during the project several studies will be performed ranging from understand its burden to improve the clinical treatment. Duties include data(base) management, epidemiological design, statistical analyses, presenting results, and writing of scientific reports.

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 seek a highly motivated PhD student with a strong desire and interest to work on hospital-onset sepsis. Knowledge of epidemiological research, clinical understanding of infectious diseases and sepsis, and experience with working with Swedish electronic health record data is necessary. Having a medical degree and documented experience in writing and publishing scientific manuscripts will be considered a strong benefit. Experience in analysis of data with software such as R is beneficial. Personal qualities for the role include being independent, structured, performance-oriented, taking responsibility and initiative, and having strong analytical abilities. Applicants must also have the ability to collaborate effectively and work productively in a team. Good English skills and good communication skills in speech and writing are important. Basic reading skills in Swedish are beneficial and the dedication to improve them in the short term is required.

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.

Research group of Pontus Naucler https://ki.se/en/meds/team-pontus-naucler

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