Doctoral student - Medical communication about dementia risk and digital multidomain dementia prevention - 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

Prof. Miia Kivipelto’s research group - the Nordic Brain Network (NBN) - is part of the division of Clin. Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, NVS. Most of this multidisciplinary research team is located at KI, Solna, but team members are also present at the KUH, in Finland and UK. The NBN carries out research on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The team conducts cutting edge biomedical, epidemiological, observational and qualitative research, as well as trials (RCTs) for dementia risk reduction, and is involved in several international collaborations and networks (https://ki.se/en/nvs/nordic-brain-network).

Prof. Kivipelto is the PI of the landmark Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) RCT, the first trial showing that a 2-year multidomain lifestyle-based intervention can benefit cognition in seniors at increased risk of dementia. Prof. Kivipelto and her team work to advance, optimize and scale-up the FINGER model, to identify effective strategies for dementia risk reduction and prevention applicable on a global scale. To this end, Prof. Kivipelto has founded the EU-FINGERS Consortium (www.eufingers.com), and the World-Wide FINGERS Network (www.wwfingers.com), and her group is part of the EU-funded project LETHE (www.lethe-project.eu) for which Assist. Prof. Francesca Mangialasche is the PI.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The PhD project is titled ‘ Medical communication about dementia risk and digital multidomain dementia prevention’. The overall aim of this project is to assess key aspects of medical communication with memory clinic patients and older citizens at-risk of developing dementia, to identify factors which can improve the individual’s experience and outcome of the diagnostic work up, and facilitate engagement in preventive interventions for dementia risk reduction, based on digital solutions. Four studies will be conducted in the context of two larger projects: the MedKom observational study, and the LETHE randomized clinical trial.

We expect the doctoral student to take an active role in participants´ recruitment, data collection, data processing and coding, analyses (qualitative coding of interview data and audio-recorded medical consultations and statistical analyses of quantitative survey data), and preparation of scientific manuscripts under supervision. The applicant will be involved in the LETHE trial as “digital coach”, as this will facilitate the candidate’s understanding of the PhD project, as well as finalizing design and data collection for the two studies linked to LETHE.

The applicant will be part of the LETHE consortium and interact with international project partners to coordinate joined efforts when it comes to data collection.

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 highly motivated PhD student who will be working under the main supervision of Assist. Prof. Mangialasche and daily supervision of senior researcher Leonie N.C. Visser, additionally supported by Prof. Kivipelto and senior research Anna Rosenberg.

The candidate is expected

-to hold a Master’s degree in public health sciences, (health) psychology, medical sciences or a related area;

- to have demonstrable research experience in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, especially regarding medical communication and use of digital tools among older adults (e.g. mobile applications promoting healthy lifestyle, smartwatches for digital biomarkers;

- to demonstrate enthusiasm and a strong motivation to contribute to this research;

- to have excellent communication skills and ability to interact adequately with study participants (older adults at risk of dementia or early dementia) and other researchers in the team;

- to have excellent Swedish language skills (in terms of oral communication) and English language skills (in terms of oral and written communication).

Meritorious:

• Experience with statistical analyses (and software such as SPSS)
• Experience with qualitative data analysis (and software such as MaxQDA).
• Demonstrable experience with scientific writing and/or presenting in English

The successful candidate should show a high level of responsibility, independency, and a positive, problem-solving attitude. The candidate should have great organizational and time management skills and be an active team player in our dynamic multidisciplinary group. Great importance is attributed to communication skills, openness in the interaction with others, and collaboration abilities, as a substantial part of the work involves collaborating with others. Workload will be variable and requires flexibility in terms of working hours to meet deadlines. 

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.

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