Research assistant in the Nordic Brain Network group - 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 KUH, in Finland and UK. The NBN carries out research focusing on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The research team conducts cutting edge biomedical, epidemiological, observational and qualitative research, as well as trials (RCTs) for dementia risk reduction, and is involved in several international collaborations and networks.

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. 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 (EU-fingers), and the World-Wide FINGERS Network (World-Wide fingers), and her group is part of the EU-funded project LETHE (the LETHE project).

Your mission

We are looking for a highly motivated research assistant who will be working under the main supervision of Assistant Professor Francesca Mangialasche and post-doctoral researcher Leonie N.C. Visser, within the research area of medical communication in the memory clinic and patient-reported outcomes and experiences. L. Visser is an expert in this area when it comes to the clinical context of dementia and memory clinic care. As part of the EU-FINGERS and LETHE projects, a large observational, mixed-methods study is currently conducted in the memory clinic(s) connected to KUH. Main goal is to investigate the impact of (early) biomarker disclosure for AD and identification of communication strategies that work best in current practice. In addition, we explore the use of digital tools, both for citizens/patients and clinicians, to assess dementia risk and prevention potential. Ultimately, the projects aim to improve communication and subjects‘ engagement in the context of preventive interventions.

The research assistant will be involved in the qualitative coding of interview data, and content coding of audio-recorded consultations between physicians, patients, and their accompanying care partners. Additionally, survey data on patient-reported outcomes and experiences will be collected in the clinical setting and analyzed. We expect the applicant to take an active role in patient recruitment, data collection, data processing and coding, statistical analyses (qualitative and quantitative data), and preparation of scientific manuscripts under supervision.

The applicant will be part of the EU-FINGERS and LETHE consortia and interact with international project partners to coordinate joined efforts when it comes to data collection.

This is a full-time, temporary position with a duration of 6 months, with possibility of extension.

Your profile

The candidate is expected:

• To hold a Master’s degree in public health sciences, (health) psychology, medical sciences or a related area by the time of employment.
• To demonstrate enthusiasm and a strong motivation to contribute to this research.
• To have excellent communication skills and ability to interact adequately with study participants and other researchers in the team.
• To have excellent Swedish and English language skills in terms of oral and written communication.

Meritorious:

• Demonstratable experience and/or affinity with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• Experience with statistical analyses (and software such as SPSS).
• Experience with qualitative data analysis (and QDA software such as MaxQDA).
• Demonstrable experience with scientific writing in English.

The successful candidate should show a high level of responsibility, independency, and a positive, problem-solving attitude. The candidate should have great organizational and time management skills and be an active team player in our dynamic multidisciplinary group. Great importance is attributed to communication skills, openness in the interaction with others, and collaboration abilities, as a substantial part of the work involves collaborating with others. Workload will be variable and requires flexibility in terms of working hours to meet deadlines. 

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

Nordic-Brain-Network

Video about Karolinska Institutet, how we work towards "a better health for all"

Application

Welcome to apply at the latest 7 of March 2022. 

The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.In this recruitment, you will apply with your CV without a personal letter. Instead, you will answer some questions about why you are applying for the job in the application form. 

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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