Karolinska Institutet,

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

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 Department

At the Department of Global Public Health we conduct research, teaching and applied work based on public health science and epidemiology. The research is aimed at analysing health determinants on the population level, and developing and evaluating preventative structural and individualised measures, including legislation and guidelines. The field also includes health economics, health systems research and implementation research. Our activities have a strongly international flavour, and the Department's researchers are scientific advisers to authorities and other decision-makers on the regional, national and international level. The Department is divided into research groups operating within the fields of global health, public health epidemiology and social medicine with a total of 150 employees. In addition, we have around 80 PhD students.

We are recruiting a student for doctoral education.

For more information regarding doctoral (PhD) education, see: http://www.ki.se/doctoral.

The research group

The Health System and Policy (HSP) group at the Department of Global Public Health is a multi-disciplinary research group striving to contribute to knowledge generation and knowledge sharing through multidisciplinary research, education and policy dialogue for improved coverage, quality, and equity of health systems. We use a systems perspective on global health while focusing on specific topics and research questions, and include two cross-cutting themes in our research activities: leadership and evidence-informed policy making.

The Global Child health and SDGs team within HSP aim is to generate knowledge in order to improve health and equity for children of all ages and to improve the quality of care for children throughout the world.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

With the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, the global paediatric community is tasked with a more holistic approach to child health. However, the impact of the broader development on child health is not well known and there is a lack of studies that examine the linkages between child health and SDGs, particularly in a country setting. Hence, the aim of the doctoral project is to provide synthesized evidence of the impact of non-health sector determinants on child health and examine the role of the broader developmental agenda with the SDGs globally and locally in Cambodia and Rwanda. Two studies will use available data to through different statistical methods (standard and machine learning) examine the impact of non-health determinants on under five mortality and morbidity in low- and middle-income countries, while two studies will be using a semi-quantitative SDG synergies approach and interviews to investigate linkages between child health and the SDGs and how they are perceived in Cambodia and Rwanda.

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.

The cadidate must have:

  •  Background in medicine with good knowledge of global paediatrics
  •  Previous experience of working with the Sustainable Development Goals.
  •  Experiences from low-income-settings

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

We are looking for a highly motivated, driven, inquisitive, enthusiastic person interested in our area of research, and ready to explore new avenues in science. 

Our research group is highly collaborative with experts in different areas and disciplines that comes from a diverse set of countries and cultures. It is therefore essential for a successful candidate to be able to collaborate with people of different backgrounds and expertise. For the doctoral project, a successful candidate should have a background in medicine with good knowledge of global paediatrics and how the SDGs relate to paediatrics and have conducted research in a low-income setting working in the field with local collaborators. Experience from working in an international research setting or in a multilateral organization is a merit. Studies in economics or economic development is essential due to the nature of the studies. Previous experience of using statistical programming software for research is necessary, manuscript writing and publication is an advantage. 

Other required personal skills are analytic ability, endurance, and ability for structured work. Furthermore, it is a requirement that the applicant has a very high proficiency of English both in terms of speech and writing. Proficiency in Swedish is a merit.

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)

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.

Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full-time/Part-time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 50-100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number 2-6561/2019
Contact
  • Senior lecturer, Tobias Alfvén, tobias.alfven@ki.se
Union representative
  • Magnus Anå, OFR, 08-524 864 37, magnus.ana@ki.se
  • Biborka Bereczky Veress, SACO, 46 70-173 85 75
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
Published 20.Dec.2019
Last application date 10.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

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