Karolinska Institutet, NVS

The Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) conducts world leading research in aging, dementia, epidemiology and care sciences. This research extends from basic molecular and cell levels to clinical research and societal studies. NVS educates almost a third of KI students at basic and advanced levels. The Department has approximately 540 employees and a revenue 2023 of 530 million SEK. It comprises seven divisions, located at Campus Flemingsberg and Campus Solna.

The research environment
The position is in Erika Franzén's research group (http://ki.se/en/nvs/franzen- group), but the project also takes place in collaboration with other research groups. A large project (BETA-PD- Balance, Elderly, Training and Activity in Parkinson’s Disease) is ongoing regarding exercise, balance / gait, cognition, voice / speech and physical activity in people with Parkinson's disease. The project group includes doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, junior and senior researchers of different occupational categories (physiotherapists, psychologists, doctors and speech therapists).
We are now recruiting a postdoctoral researcher who will work within a large randomized controlled study regarding changes in motor and cognitive functions after an exercise period. People with Parkinson's disease are randomized to either a highly challenging balance and gait training (the HiBalance program) and to a speech and communication treatment (HiCommunication) with a similar dose, setting and deliverance. The study investigates gait/balance, voice /speech and cognitive functions together with brain imaging (MRI and fMRI) as well as biomarkers in the blood. One of the main objectives is to link changes in motor and cognitive functions after training with changes in brain activity. The employment is full-time (possibility of part-time can be discussed), 1 year with the possibility of extension. An employment as a postdoctoral fellow can be at most 4 years.

Area of responsibilities/description of the work
This research work will consist of usual tasks at postdoctoral level such as project design, data collection, processing, data analysis and statistical analysis. Writing scientific papers, grant applications and being able to present the research are important tasks. In the project, two doctoral students are already working and the postdoctoral researcher’s task is to support the doctoral students and to conduct own studies within the framework of the larger project. There is also the possibility of designing own projects within the field. This project is a major collaborative project, which means being able to collaborate and interact with different parties and also lead and coordinate parts of the project. Teaching and supervision of students and doctoral students may occur.

Entry requirements
A person is eligible for a position as postdoctoral research fellow if he or she has obtained a PhD no more than seven years before the last date of employment as postdoctor. Those who have been awarded a PhD earlier may however be considered if special grounds exist. Special grounds refer to illness or parental leave.
Applicants should, in addition to the above qualifications, have in-depth statistical knowledge and preferably an undergraduate degree or PhD in psychology or cognitive science. Previous experience and knowledge of analysis of MRI / fMRI data and / or cognitive and motor tests is highly meritorious. It is preferable if you have experience of clinical work and / or research on people with Parkinson's disease and / or other neurological diseases.
The successful candidate is expected to have a strong drive to pursue research, be organized and structured and have an ambitious and innovative attitude. The project is pursued in collaboration with several research groups, and good collaborative skills are necessary. Very good ability to speak and write English is a requirement. Swedish is a merit. Emphasis will be put on personal skills in the evaluation process.

Application process
An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

  • A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
  • A complete list of publications
  • A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Huddinge
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-1915/2019
Contact
  • Erika Franzén, Associate Professor, +46 8 524 888 78, erika.franzen@ki.se
  • Ulla Cronfalk-Hernlund, Head of Administration, +46 8 524 868 18, ulla.cronfalk-hernlund@ki.se
  • Maria Staiger, HR Officer, +46 524 837 79, maria.staiger@ki.se
Union representative
  • Carina Eklund, OFR, 08-585 826 65
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
Published 27.Mar.2019
Last application date 01.May.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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