Doctoral (PhD) student position in epidemiology - 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

The research at the Unit of Epidemiology, IMM, KI, is focused on advancing knowledge about disease etiology and prognosis with an emphasis on environmental and lifestyle factors, and on methodological development and stringency. The research is based on large register-based cohorts, as well as cohorts and case-control studies with extensive information from questionnaires and biological samples. The division is divided into four research groups of which “Ageing and Health” led by Associate Professor Karin Modig is one. The work of the research group focuses on health of the ageing population. Questions such as “what is driving the increase in life expectancy”, “how has the health among the old developed in line with longer lives”, and “what can be expected in the future” are central.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The overall aim of this PhD project is to increase the understanding of determinants of- and pathways to longevity and to an exceptionally long life. This will, among other approaches, be done by analyzing centenarians in comparison to individuals who die before age 100 in prospective studies in two large data materials. The student is expected to conduct epidemiologic research within ageing epidemiology and in the intersection of epidemiology and demography, with a specific focus on exceptional longevity. You will analyse large and complex data and it is therefore a merit if you have skills in computational statistics and programming. Another merit is knowledge and training in epidemiological theory and methods. The student will have strong support by a team of supervisors with expertise in epidemiology and quantitative methods, demography, and population studies, and in geriatric medicine. There might also be an opportunity to spend some time abroad with our collaborators.

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 motivated applicant with the ability to work productively in a multidisciplinary research team. Preferably, but not necessarily, a candidate holding a degree in epidemiology, demography, public health, medicine, nursing, biostatistics, or quantitative sociology. Experience and knowledge in more than one of these disciplines is a merit. The position requires strong analytical skills and strong writing skills, a good command of statistical software such as R, Stata or SAS is a merit. So is experience in working with register-based research and longitudinal data. The applicant should possess good interpersonal skills, as well as the capacity to work independently, and to reflect critically on scientific output.

Assessment criteria

A selection will be made among qualified applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:

- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research

- Analytical skill

- Writing skill

- English skill

- Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject

The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

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.

Research group leader and publications from the group:

https://staff.ki.se/people/karin-modig

Unit of Epidemiology: https://ki.se/en/imm/unit-of-epidemiology

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