Doctoral (PhD) student position in health data science

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

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. 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 120 research students and about 140 employees.

The position is placed in the PRIME health research group (Prevention, Intervention and Mechanisms in Public Health). The group collaborates broadly with international experts in public health, with a particular focus on epidemiology. Our research themes include mental health, parental health and support, reproductive health, cardiovascular health, physical activity and health impacts of climate extremes.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Climate extremes (e.g. floods, droughts and heatwaves) negatively affect both human and natural systems, having led to over 2 million deaths worldwide over the last 50 years. Climate change increases the frequency and severity of several such events. Building a resilient society to face the health impacts of future climate extremes requires actionable, context-based scenarios. Historically, public health sciences in epidemiological studies have relied on retrospective analyses, which can be inadequate for preparing for unprecedented climatic events. This points to the urgency of developing innovative cross-disciplinary methodology and generating new knowledge to characterize these impacts in a future climate.

The goal of this PhD project is: i) to develop a novel cross-disciplinary methodology, ii) to assess the societal and health impacts of past climate extreme events using whole-population health data; iii) to generate future impact scenarios using information from past impacts and microsimulations. The project employs an event-based methodology, integrates a qualitative socio-political component and explore alternative adaptation strategies.

The PhD student will contribute to method development, study design and data analyses using a data science approach, and the interpretation and presentation of results (through scientific publications and conference presentations).

This PhD project is in collaboration with University of Uppsala, University of Manchester and include a visiting period in both Universities. The PhD student will be a fellow of climes (Swedish Center of Impacts from climate extremes).

The student will work with national and international experts in climate and health data science, climate science, critical social science and population health.

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 candidate must hold a degree of direct relevance to one or several amongst in data science, computational social science, health data science, climate science, statistics, mathematics, or related discipline. Documented experience of analysing large amounts of data will be highly valued.

Advanced skills in programming in R and/or Python (or other programming languages) are mandatory.

Great emphasis is based on personal suitability. As a person, you are curious, highly motivated and persistent. You demonstrate a degree of independence and problem-solving skills.  You are interested in cross-disciplinary research. You are collaborative and have good communication skills both oral and written in English.

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 (max 1 page, please summarize how your previous training and work experiences makes you suitable for the position) 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 PRIME research group.

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