PhD position in Health Economics and Biostatistics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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 Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) conducts research in epidemiology, biostatistics and health economics across a broad range of areas within biomedical science. The department is among the largest of its type in Europe with special focus on increasing our knowledge of the aetiology of different diseases. Our department consists of researchers, doctoral students, biostatisticians, health economists, data collectors and database administrators as well as administrative personnel, in total some 250 staff. The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at http://ki.se/meb

The research group

A PhD position is available within the biostatistics group at MEB. The biostatistics group at MEB, KI comprises 4 professors, 2 professor emerita, 2 senior lecturers, 9 PhD-level statisticians, 4 masters-level statisticians, 2 health economists, 4 postdocs and 15 doctoral students. The group is involved in a wide variety of research projects, including survival analysis, multi-state models, family studies and precision medicine. Relevant to this position, the biostatistics group also supports the development and application of methods for health economic evaluations, particularly for cancer screening and treatment.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The European Commission recently recommended that European Union member states investigate the stepwise introduction of prostate cancer screening programmes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) together with possible ancillary tests. In line with and preceding this recommendation, the Confederation of Regional Cancer Centres in Sweden initiated population-based organised prostate cancer testing (OPT) projects in multiple regions. As a part of the Swedish Consortium for Research on Organised Prostate Cancer Testing (SweCROPT) working group (WG) for Health Economics, our group is looking for a PhD student who can plan and conduct research projects under supervision.

The overarching aims of this project are: (a) to investigate how to reduce the healthcare utilisation and societal burden due to prostate cancer through clinically effective and cost-effective risk-adapted organised testing and; (b) to provide reliable evidence to Swedish clinicians and policy makers to develop and evaluate the current OPT projects using simulations and health economic evaluations. The project will include research aimed at investigating: the cost-effectiveness of an organised prostate cancer testing with evidence on the subsequent rescreening from screening trials (e.g. STHLM3-MRI, STHLM3MRI-Reinvite) and registers (doctoral project 1); extending a current microsimulation model to incorporate the current opportunistic testing practice and the risk-adapted screening practice (doctoral project 2); evaluating the cost-effectiveness of an opt-in national prostate cancer screening program using the OPT base algorithm, together with other biopsy strategies and ancillary tests in Sweden (doctoral projects 3 and 4); and assessing the short-term budget impact on implementing a national screening program using the OPT base algorithm and alternative strategies in Sweden (doctoral project 5).

The successful applicant will work with Shuang Hao (Health Economist, coordinator of the WG Health Economics for SweCROPT), Mark Clements (Associate Professor in Biostatistics), Tobias Nordström (Urologist, Associate Professor in Urology) and Anna Lantz (Urologist, Associate Professor in Urology). The candidate will also have opportunities to work with other KI researchers and researchers from other regions in Sweden.

What do we offer?

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why
Career support for doctoral students
International staff

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

This is multi-disciplinary position. We are looking for a candidate that shares our passion for research, who is highly motivated to work efficiently both independently, as a part of the research team as well as supervised, and has curiosity and an ability to learn.

Required
The ideal candidate should have:

- a formal training in biostatistics and/or health economics
- strong knowledge in health economic modelling
- good knowledge in biostatistics/statistics
- programming skills, preferably using R and possibly C++
- relevant applied studies or project work
- excellent oral and written communication skills in English

 Merit

- Candidates who have a medical background will be well ranked
- The candidate is expected to understand Swedish or is actively learning Swedish as the projects are of high policy relevance

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.

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