Doctoral (PhD) student position in biostatistics and cancer 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 Department of Medicine Solna is one of the largest departments at Karolinska Institutet and is organized in several research divisions. The Clinical Epidemiology Division (KEP) is home to seven research groups that conduct research in population-based epidemiology through the use of register-based health care data, often supplemented with information from medical records, biological samples, and surveys, to address questions that aim to improve patient health care and clinical practice. Projects conducted at the division typically have a strong clinical anchoring. There are around 50 doctoral students at KEP, with a range of research specialities, that regularly meet. There are also monthly seminars in biostatistics at the division. The student will become part of the Clinical Cancer Epidemiology research group at KEP. The research group currently consists of 20 researchers with both medical and statistical backgrounds.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

This PhD project consists of both statistical methodology development and clinical application in the field of population-based cancer patient survival.

With an increasing number of cancer survivors in the world, survivorship is and will continue to be a growing research field, as patient management and follow-up now more than ever involve living beyond the disease itself. Developments in terms of biostatistical methods are required to meet the needs of this emerging research landscape. The overarching aim of this PhD project is to develop and introduce user-friendly novel statistical methods and apply these to address clinically relevant research questions in lymphoma, a group of hematological cancer with many diverse subtypes.

We are now looking for a highly motivated PhD student with a background in mathematical statistics. The student will be jointly supervised by Dr Caroline Dietrich (Karolinska Institutet), Professor Ingrid Glimelius (Uppsala University), Docent Therese Andersson (Karolinska Institutet), and Dr Matthew Maurer (Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. The main site for the project will be KEP at Karolinska Institutet, although short-term research visits to the Mayo Clinic are anticipated.

The successful candidate is expected to take a leading role throughout the research project, with support from the supervisors. This includes development of statistical analysis plans, data processing and analysis, taking relevant courses, and participating in departmental seminars and international conferences.

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

Specific requirements

Proficiency in written and spoken English since the research will be performed within an international collaboration.

Documented work experience in using population-based health register data for research (i.e., leading to a scientific report, master thesis, scientific publication or similar).

Excellent knowledge of biostatistics and experience with regression modelling of survival data, since the project involves development of statistical methodology. This includes experience in relative survival, using flexible parametric survival models, and an understanding of competing risks and multistate models.

Strong programming skills in Stata.

Additional requirements

Excellent communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and the ability to collaborate in teams.

Independence with respect to ability to plan, and perform tasks, identify and solve problems.

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

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

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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.

Location

The position is located within the Department of Medicine, Solna. The department consists of eleven divisions and each division consists of several research groups. The position is located within the research group in Clinical Cancer Epidemiology (group leader Professor Karin Ekström Smedby).

More information about the group can be found on our group web-page: https://ki.se/en/research/groups/clinical-cancer-epidemiology-research-group-karin-ekstrom-smedby

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