Doctoral (PhD) student position in research about health outcomes of breast implants

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

The Unit of Integrative Epidemiology at Institute for Environmental Medicine (IMM), Karolinska
Institutet (KI), aims to improve the understanding of causes and consequences of common diseases, e.g. neurological diseases, psychiatric disorders, and cancer. We address different research questions through multidisciplinary approaches and by integrating different epidemiological tools.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

Cosmetic surgeries, including breast implantation, are common in our society; however, there is currently a limited understanding of the potential adverse health impact of such procedures. In this doctoral project, we are planning a series of multinational studies, leveraging extensive epidemiological and imaging data across the countries of Sweden, Iceland, and the USA, to examine comprehensively different health outcomes (e.g. mental illness, autoimmune diseases, fatigue, etc.) among women with a breast implant. The doctoral project will be led by Professor Fang Fang (main supervisor, https://ki.se/en/people/fang-fang) together with several co-supervisors with complementary expertise. As a doctoral student, you are expected to take a leading role in the entire process of this project with support from the supervisory team. Through participating in the discussion of study design, data processing and analysis, interpretation and communication of findings, taking relevant courses and participating in seminars and journal clubs, the PhD student is expected to accomplish the doctoral training and grow into an independent researcher at the end of the project. 

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 PhD student with the following skills and qualities:

• A master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or related field.
• Prior research experience using complex methods and data sources, including register resources.
• Statistical proficiency.
• Proficient knowledge in English.

In addition, it is advantageous to have:

• Experience with programming software (R, Python, SAS or Stata)
• Educational background in medicine, psychology or related fields
• Knowledge in Scandinavian languages (e.g. Swedish or Icelandic)
• Experience from studies of women’s health

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