Doctoral (PhD) student position in global disaster medicine

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 doctoral student position is placed in the research group Global Disaster Medicine- Health Needs and Response. Our work involves research, teaching, policy advice, external monitoring, and field work in disasters. Our aim is to contribute to strengthening and improving Swedish and international health care response in the event of major disasters. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre and a centre of excellence appointed by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. We also collaborate frequently with the Centre for Health Crises at KI.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The PhD project focuses on conflict-affected populations in the Middle East, particularly Syria and Lebanon,  facing  violence, displacement and health system disruption over the past decade, due to armed conflicts. The PhD project aims to increase the knowledge of how conflict- affected populations manage their health needs and will explore how they can be better supported.

The PhD student will contribute to study design, data collection and analyses using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The student will further, contribute to scientific publication and presentations of results at conferences, and follow the research education program as outlined by KI centrally.

This PhD project will be carried out in collaboration with experts in quantitative and qualitative methods at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet and at the Lebanese American University.

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

Requirements:

• Degree in a licensed health profession
• Master degree in Public Health in Disasters, Disaster Medicine or equivalent
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic
• Willingness to travel to Syria and Lebanon for data collection 

Desirable qualifications:

• Work Experience in health services  or health research projects in Lebanon or Syria
• Documented experience of conducting research in conflict-affected settings
• Documented skills in statistical data analysis
• Basic proficiency in Swedish, both spoken and written

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time. Location: Solna. Data collection will take place in Lebanon and Syria in collaboration with Lebanon American University.

Start date: Spring 2026

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.

Read more about the Department of Global Public Health (GPH).

Read more about the research group on Global Disaster Medicine- Health Needs and Response.

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