Postdoctoral Researcher in prediction models for late-life cognition and neuropathology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Professor Miia Kivipelto’s research group - the Nordic Brain Network (NBN) - is part of the division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, NVS. The largest part of this multidisciplinary research team is located at KI (Q-building in Solna), but team members are also present at the Karolinska University Hospital, in Finland and UK. The NBN carries out research focusing on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The research team has carried out prevention trials (RCT) and is involved in several international collaborations and networks (https://ki.se/en/nvs/nordic-brain-network).

Professor Kivipelto is the PI of the landmark Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) RCT, the first large-scale trial showing that a 2-year multidomain lifestyle-based intervention can benefit cognition in seniors at increased risk of dementia. Long-term follow-up data have been collected after the intervention phase of the FINGER trial (up to 7 years follow-up now available) providing unique data enabling to study long term effects of the multidomain lifestyle-based intervention, including lifestyle changes, cognitive and neuropathological changes.

Prof. Kivipelto and her team work to advance, optimize and scale-up the FINGER model, to identify effective strategies for dementia risk reduction and prevention applicable on a global scale. Towards this end, Prof. Kivipelto has founded the EU-FINGERS Consortium, and the World-Wide FINGERS Network, which collectively gather dementia research experts from over 35 countries. in relation to these initiatives, data harmonization, management and sharing are crucial matters.

Your mission

The candidate will be part of the NBN team and will contribute to different activities related to the projects listed above. Particularly, the candidate will have a main role in developing multifactorial prediction models for late-life cognition and neuropathology. FINGER will be the main database used, but access to other relevant data (cohorts of older adults in the at-risk spectrum of dementia) will be available for the same scope (observational and intervention studies, from population-based or clinical settings).

The candidate is expected to support the planning and execution of data analysis, as well as participation in the preparation of scientific articles, scientific reports, and grants applications.

Given that the NBN is located is three countries (Sweden, Finland, UK) and has collaborations across all continents, attendance to videoconference is an important part of the work, especially until travelling is unfeasible due to the pandemic.

This is a part time (50%) temporary position for 6 months, with possibility of extension.

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.

We are seeking a researcher with a PhD related to the field (epidemiology, age-related cognitive impairment, and dementia) with a solid background in geriatric epidemiology. The candidate is expected to have experience in using statistical software independently, for analysis of large datasets with longitudinal data. Experience in building and test multifactorial prediction models is required. Ability to understand and handle neuroimaging and neuropsychological data is needed, thus candidates relevant educational background (e.g., Psychology) will be given priority.

Being fluent in spoken and written English is required. The successful candidate should show a high level of responsibility, independency and a positive, problem solving attitude, and be an active team player in our large and dynamic multidisciplinary group. Great importance is attributed to collaboration abilities and communications skills, as a substantial part of the work involves collaborate with others. Workload will be variable and will require flexibility of working hours to meet deadlines. The postholder should also have good methodologies for planning timelines. 

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: The offered position belongs to the NBN, Division of Clinical Geriatrics. The office space is located at Q-House, Karolinska Solna.

Your career continues here

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English:

• 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 2021-04-09.

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

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