Doctoral position(PhD) in cancer epidemiology among people living with HIV

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 doctoral student will join the Clinical HIV epidemiology and comorbidity, research group led by Associate professor Christina Carlander . This group conducts multidisciplinary research focused on the prevention of comorbidity in people living with HIV, with particular focus on HPV-related cancer.

The research team is dedicated to improving health outcomes for people living with HIV. Through the combination of prospective studies and innovative use of Swedish national health registers we study various aspects of HIV care. Our work combines traditional epidemiological methods with cutting-edge approaches such as prospective biomarker studies and machine learning.

We provide a vibrant and intellectually stimulating scientific environment, with opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers both internationally and nationally.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral student will be part of the research team of the SANCA (Screening for anal cancer and precancer in women with HIV) study. Recent international guidelines recommend initiating anal cancer screening in women with HIV from the age of 45, but data on implementation in clinical practice are limited. The SANCA study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing anal cancer screening in women with HIV in Sweden, assess self-collected anal human papillomavirus (HPV) sampling, explore novel biomarkers for risk stratification and finally to assess the cost-effectiveness of HPV-based screening.

Under the supervision of main supervisor Christina Carlander and co-supervisors Assistant professor of epidemiology Jiayao Lei ,Associate professor of surgery Jonas Nygren and Senior consultant of gynaecology, Hanna Milerad, the doctoral student will be responsible for literature reviews and take an active part in the study design. The doctoral student will, with support from supervisors, be responsible for data analyses and the interpretation and presentation of results through scientific publications and conference presentations.

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

•  Applications are welcome from students with a university education in medicine, data science, public health or a related subject.
• Prior experience in epidemiological studies, analysis of data and programming skills in R, STATA and/or SAS are particular merits.
• Practical experience in research related to infectious diseases or cancer, particularly in infectious disease modeling, is considered an asset.
• Scientific publications are considered an asset, with particular merit given to those where the candidate is the lead author.
• Good written and spoken skills in English are required. 

We attach great importance to personal qualities in this recruitment. As a person, you are curious, highly motivated and persistent. You demonstrate a degree of independence and problem-solving skills. You are collaborative and have good communication skills.

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.

Link: Department of Medicine, Huddinge

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