Professor in Translational Psychiatry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

- with focus on research

Do you want to contribute to improving human health?

Karolinska Institutet has for many years had a strong and significant position in psychiatry and mental illness, which has made its mark in diagnostics and treatment. Today, Karolinska Institutet has a strong position in psychiatric genetics and epidemiology, thanks to its involvement in international genomics consortia and leading registry research. The Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery has ongoing research collaborations in molecular psychiatry, psychiatric epidemiology, and intervention research in psychiatry. It is expected that the need for teaching in molecular psychiatry will increase in the next few years as a consequence of the achievements in the field. MMK researchers have been responsible for several annual courses in psychiatric genetics for many years.

Description of the subject area

Since 2010, translational psychiatry has undergone an explosive development as a result of several technological advances in genetics, stem cell biology and imaging techniques. Perhaps the most dramatic achievement is the mapping of the human genome and identification of more than 300 genetic variants contributing to psychiatric disorder risk. However, most of the variance in pathophysiology and treatment responses remains to be mapped and explained. Environmental exposures early in life, such as diabetes, obesity and infection in pregnant mothers and psychosocial stress during childhood, have been shown to increase the risk of mental illness and psychiatric disorder, and environmental exposures are likely to interact with genetic vulnerability. Some environmental exposures can be studied in national registers, and in large epidemiological research data collections. Somatic comorbidity is common in psychiatric disorders, and some pharmacological treatments have metabolic side effects, where mechanisms and risk groups are not fully identified. In addition to research on pharmacological and psychological treatments, there is a fairly unexplored treatment option in physical exercise and the use of pre / probiotics. Physical activity is known to protect against metabolic dysfunction and changes in the intestinal flora are associated with obesity and diabetes.

The combination of preclinical, genetic, epidemiological and clinical intervention research opens up for translational studies with clinical and molecular outcome measures within increased possibilities of clinical implementation. Successful innovative translational studies are facilitated by a good ability to work in interdisciplinary and translational contexts in practical reality and by a research experience of many different methods.

Your mission

The employment has a focus on research. The appointee is, however, expected to drive the subject area of ​​the position with regard to both research and education. The appointee shall lead research activities in the field of mental illness and psychiatric disorders where biological and environmental risk and health factors, consequences of disorder, and intervention are studied in interdisciplinary contexts in practical patient-near reality, with the support of own experimental and epidemiological studies. The appointee shall act as group leader with delegated responsibility for the research group, and participate in the department's internal affairs. Teaching, supervision and course activities are an important part of the tasks. This employment will entail a responsibility for doctoral education, especially with regard to supervision of own doctoral students and teaching in the subject of molecular psychiatry in undergraduate and postgraduate education within Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for an employment as Professor with focus on research the applicant must have demonstrated good pedagogical expertise; excellent scientific expertise; management, development and collaborative skills (See the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at Karolinska Institutet).

The applicant must have extensive experience in many different research methods and an ability to perform research in all of the following scientific areas / activities demonstrated through own documented research activities:

• Molecular laboratory research, in molecular biology and molecular medicine, applied to clinical samples in psychiatry and animal experimental models related to psychiatric phenotypes.
• Psychiatric genetics, with collaboration in international research consortia.
• Epidemiological research in mental illness and psychiatry with population-based cohorts and national registers.

The applicant must also have well-documented pedagogical experience and the ability to lead education, as well as be able to collaborate with various actors in health-care and society.

Assessment criteria

The Professorship has a focus on research. The assessment will weight qualifications as follows: scientific expertise (3), pedagogical expertise (2), leadership, development and collaboration expertise (2).

For employment as Professor at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria stated in the Instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure 3.1.1 are applied in relation to established profile of employment.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has 

• High scientific production in molecular, epidemiological and translational psychiatry.
• Extensive scientific production with senior authorship.
• Extensive main supervision for doctoral students who have defended their dissertations.
• Experience of leadership positions.

It is meritorious that the applicant has

• Assignment as a faculty opponent nationally / internationally. Member of the examination board for dissertations.
• Expertise in job appointments or job conversions at universities or research institutes.
• Responsibility for courses or programs in postgraduate education.

The applicant shall also have completed 10 weeks of courses on teaching in higher education (or have equivalent competence), as indicated in the recommendations of the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institution. If the person appointed for the position is lacking such education at the time of the employment, the appointee must undergo such education during the first two years of employment.

After an overall assessment of the expertise and merits of the applicants in relation to the subject area, Karolinska Institutet will determine which of them has the best potential to contribute to a positive development of the activities at KI.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. 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

Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery 

Application

Your application must contain the following documents in English: a cover letter as well as a résumé and a qualifications portfolio including a description of your research plan, both presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet’s template (http://ki.se/qualificationsportfolio). You may change or add to your application at any time up to and including the application deadline date. After the deadline, the process closes, and no amendment or addition can be made to your application.

The applications will be reviewed by external reviewers, most often both national and international. For that reason, all the submitted documents should be written in English.

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

Welcome to apply!

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