Doctoral (PhD) student position in Cancer Epidemiology and Applied Biostatistics

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics conducts research in epidemiology and biostatistics across a broad range of areas within biomedical science. The department is among the largest of its type in Europe and has especially strong research profiles in psychiatric, cancer, reproductive, pediatric, pharmaco, genetic, and geriatric epidemiology, eating disorders, precision medicine, and biostatistics.

Part of the success of our department is due to our collaborative spirit where one factor is that researchers at the Department share and co-finance common resources (e.g., IT and an applied biostatistics group). The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at http://ki.se/en/meb

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

In the research group “Cancer epidemiology and applied biostatistics” we focus on risk factors and prognostic factors of cancer in the population-based setting to understand underlying mechanisms of cancer occurrence and survival. Our three main research themes are i) reproductive factors and cancer, ii) socioeconomic inequalities in cancer, and iii) descriptive cancer epidemiology in the Nordic countries. We use a wide range of statistical methods for survival analysis, competing risks, missing data, causal inference and incidence modelling. We utilize population-based data from Swedish national health registers, such as the National Cancer Register and the national quality registers for cancer.

We are an international research group in statistics, epidemiology and biomedicine. As a multi-disciplinary group, we are embedded within the larger Biostatistics Group at MEB, and also collaborate with statisticians, epidemiologists and clinical researchers within MEB and other KI departments. We hold weekly group meetings with open-minded scientific discussions and regularly host research visitors. We also have a strong presence at national and international conferences. More information about our research group can be found here.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral student project is within cancer epidemiology where state-of-the-art statistical methods will be applied to address clinically important research questions. The overall aim is to improve the understanding of reproductive factors, childbearing and cancer. The research project will focus on the evaluation of hypothesized reproductive risk factors for cancer as well as reproductive outcomes in women with cancer. The project uses advanced methodology for cohort studies, including statistical modelling of incidence and survival outcomes in the presence of missing data and competing risks. Large-scale epidemiological data from population-based cancer registers will be used, as well as other Swedish health and population registers such as the Medical Birth Register. The doctoral project will be a mix of epidemiology and biostatistics, where the focus can to some extent be tailored to the interests of the successful applicant.

As a doctoral student, your role is to learn the necessary theory and skills to perform and manage the research project under supervision of the supervisory team.

The successful applicant will be supervised by statistician and epidemiologist Anna Johansson, Assistant Professor and Docent. The project is in collaboration with clinical researchers at KI with the aim to provide new important knowledge for clinical care guidelines for young women with cancer.

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

The successful applicant should have a background in epidemiology, biostatistics and/or public health. It is desirable to have an undergraduate degree (MSc) with good theoretical coverage of epidemiology, statistical methods and/or public health. A strong interest in medical research is desirable, including a strong motivation to apply statistical methods to large-scale data to answer clinically relevant research questions.

Prior experience of research projects in epidemiology or biostatistics, including analyzing population-based data in reproductive or cancer research using regression models is desirable. Prior experience from project management within population-based epidemiology is also desirable. Programming skills in Stata or R are a merit, as well as documented good data management skills.

The applicant should have good communication skills and be proficient in spoken and written English. Personal qualities for the role include being independent, structured, and with strong analytical abilities. The applicant should enjoy working in a team and collaborate well with team members with different academic backgrounds.

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.

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