Karolinska Institutet, MEB

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

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.

Research group
We seek a PhD student who will conduct research at the KI-Psychiatric Genomics Institute (KI-PGI). The KI-PGI begins with fundamental genomic findings and then elucidates the implications for patients, clinicians, and neuroscientists. We are deeply collaborative, and we actively work with at least 10 major genetic, psychiatric, neuroscience, and functional genomic groups. We have established, long term collaborations within the KI, Sweden, Europe, the US, and Australia. We have multiple large new datasets, including expansion of the Swedish Schizophrenia Study (S3), Genomic Aggregation Project in Sweden (GAPS), and TRYGGVE2 (an effort to harmonize psychiatric genomics in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden).

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
Applications are invited for a PhD research training position to investigate the aetiology and outcomes in psychiatric disorders, specifically depression and schizophrenia.

These PhD project will involve the application of advanced statistical and computational methods, such as unsupervised and supervised machine learning, in large datasets with complex data types. The project will also investigate the role of gene-environment interaction (GxE) in relation to a specific biological hypothesis (HPA-axis) in both conditions.

Under supervision, the PhD student will be responsible for literature review, data analysis, result interpretation, scientific article writing and oral/poster presentation.

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.

Skills and personal qualities

  • The applicant should have a master’s degree in public health epidemiology, statistics, health informatic or related quantitative discipline.
  • The applicant should have documented experience in psychiatric research especially depression and/or schizophrenia.
  • The applicant should have advanced skills in statistical analyses and good understanding in machine learning principles.
  • Having experience with Nordic register data is a strong merit.
  • Programming skill in R or similar languages is required.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required, along with ample experience with scientific writing (e.g., first or co-author in at least 2 published articles).
  • The applicant should be able to work well in a team, as well as having the ability to work independently.
  • The applicant should possess good organizational skills and know how to multitask.

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.

Your application should contain the following documents:

  • A personal letter and a curriculum vitae (Swedish or English)
  • Degree projects and previous publications, if any (Swedish or English)
  • Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above (Swedish or English)
  • Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
  • Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)
  • Academic transcripts, covering all courses you have taken as an undergraduate and Master's student
  • Please include a one-page statement of interest about why you want to pursue a PhD degree IN ADDITION to the cover letter.

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.

KI 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.

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly
Reference number 2-3216/2019
Contact
  • Sara Tiste, sara.tiste@ki.se
  • Lu Yi, lu.yi@ki.se
Union representative
  • Ulrika Zagai, SACO, ulrika.zagai@ki.se
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Ann Almqvist, OFR, ann.almqvist@ki.se
Published 03.Jun.2019
Last application date 24.Jun.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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