Postdoctoral researcher in method development of objective markers for mobility and brain activity - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

The position is situated in the Franzén research group and also partly within the uMOVE core facility at KI. The focus of the research groups is on translational research from exploring neuronal mechanisms to clinical interventions/implementation in the field of neurological and geriatric rehabilitation. Our areas of special interest are balance control, exercise, physical activity and falls in elderly and individuals with neurological diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal cord injury).

uMOVE is a knowledge centre that offers service in human movement sciences (visit the website here) and a joint collaboration between the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS) and Theme Women’s Health and Allied Health Professional at Karolinska University Hospital. uMOVE offers a wide range of state-of-the-art motion analysis systems - from lab measurements to free-living assessment of daily activities, including cognition functions and emotions on motor control, to researcher, education and clinical work.

We are now recruiting a postdoctoral researcher who will work in collaboration with the uMOVE project group to develop and test protocols for assessment of cortical brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and assessment of physical activity using accelerometers. The part of the project that involves fNIRS measurements of cortical activity will focus on developing, validating and using different experimental set-ups using fNIRS measurements during functional tasks (e.g. gait). The part of the project focusing on physical activity includes investigations of validity (i.e. accuracy) of different methods (e.g. accelerometers and GPS) to detect different domains of physical activity. The targeted populations for this post-doc project are different healthy populations across the life-span and clinical populations with mobility impairments (e.g. persons with neurological diseases). The employment is full-time (possibility of part-time can be discussed), for 2 years.

Your mission

This postdoc 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. 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.

Your profile

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) date of employment. This must be substantiated by the applicant's main supervisor, director or equivalent.

Applicants should, in addition to the above qualifications, have in-depth good programming skills (e.g. experience with R, Python, Matlab, Phychopy), statistical knowledge and preferably an undergraduate degree or PhD in physiotherapy, movement science, physics, psychology or cognitive science. Previous experience and knowledge of analysis of fNIRS and accelerometers (e.g. ActiLife) and laboratory-based motion analysis systems is highly meritorious.

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 research group and uMOVE collaborates with several research groups and clinicians, and good collaborative and social skills are necessary. Very good ability to speak and write English is a requirement. Being fluent in speech and writing in Swedish is a merit. Emphasis will be put on personal skills in the evaluation process.

What do we offer?

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 better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is a state university, which entitles employees to several benefits such as extended holiday and a generous occupational pension. Employees also have free access to our modern gym and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Location: Solna and Flemingsberg

Application

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

• A complete resumé, 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)

Welcome to apply at the latest March 7th 2021.

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

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