Doctoral student in neuroepidemiology – Interplay between Alzheimer’s disease pathology and cardiovascular co-pathology in a population setting

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 selected candidate will join the Aging Research Center (ARC) at Karolinska Institutet, under the main supervision of Assistant Professor Giulia Grande. Our group aims to advance the understanding of dementia development in older adults by exploring the interplay between somatic conditions and Alzheimer´s disease pathology, and how this influences cognitive aging and the clinical expression of dementia.

By integrating epidemiological, clinical, and biological data, this project aims to uncover the pathophysiological pathways underlying dementia development in old age, and specifically through which cardio-and cerebrovascular diseases influence dementia risk and brain pathology.

Most of the scientific activities in the research group are based on the ongoing population-based Swedish National Study on Aging and Care-Kungsholmen (SNAC-K), which includes people 60+ years who are followed up at regular intervals. The protocol includes extensive assessment of social, medical, biological, and genetic factors as well as a comprehensive cognitive battery. Further information is available at http://www.snac-k.se/.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

A doctoral student is admitted to third-cycle/doctoral education. A doctoral education consists of supervised research, combined with courses and other educational activities. An individual study plan is established for each doctoral student. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral student who is interested in studying the interplay between Alzheimer´s disease (AD) pathology and cardiovascular co-pathology, expanding our understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying dementia development in older adults. The project will be based on data from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K), an ongoing large-scale population-based study comprising over 3,000 older adults. This cohort provides extensive access to clinical and biological data, enabling comprehensive epidemiological analyses of potential mechanisms contributing to dementia pathophysiology beyond amyloid and tau accumulation.

The selected candidate will conduct independent research in close collaboration with supervisors and the broader research group. Key duties include an active role in data cleaning, analyses, interpretation and developing expertise in biomarker research. The doctoral student will also investigate how AD-related and vascular biomarkers interact, and how cardiovascular health may modify the association between AD pathology and dementia.This work will advance understanding of dementia mechanisms, refine risk stratification, improve early detection, and inform personalized prevention, especially given the prevalence of mixed pathology in old age. The student is expected to contribute to the development of specific research questions, conduct high quality data analyses (particularly advanced statistical approaches used in longitudinal studies), and actively participate in the dissemination of results through publications and scientific presentations. The student will take part in doctoral courses and scientific activities at ARC and Karolinska Institutet, and is encouraged to engage with international collaborators in environmental and aging research.

It is a challenging project for a PhD student, especially from a clinical, epidemiological and biostatistical point of view.

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 highly motivated and curious doctoral candidate interested in neuroepidemiology with a strong clinical background and solid analytical skills. The successful candidate is expected to play critical role in formulating scientific research hypothesis, testing those hypotheses using proper study design, analyzing the data, presenting and interpreting the results, and writing scientific reports and articles in English.

The following skills and personal qualities are also required

• Hold a medical degree, preferably with a specialization in geriatric medicine or neurology
• Solid knowledge of geriatric epidemiology, with experience in integrating clinical and biological data;
• Ability to apply advanced statistical methods in the context of aging research and to work with longitudinal data, including handling longitudinal, large-scale, population-based datasets;
• Good analytical/programming skills and previous experience in conducting statistical analyses using statistical software such as Stata, R, or SPSS;
• Have strong clinical knowledge and experience related to geriatric syndromes, dementia diagnosis, multimorbidity, and cardiovascular health;
• Familiarity with fluid biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease;
• Excellent English skills in terms of oral and written communication;

The following skills and experiences are considered advantageous:

• Evidence of scientific writing and publishing in peer-reviewed journals, especially previous contributions to scientific publications related to AD pathology;
• Experience working or studying in an international research environment.

We value individuals with a positive attitude, collaborative, and eager to learn and develop both methodologically and scientifically during their doctoral training. Strong interpersonal and team collaboration skills, and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary environments, are essential.

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.

Institutionen för neurobiologi, vårdvetenskap och samhälle (NVS)

Aging Research Center (ARC)

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