Postdoctoral Researcher in respiratory epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Welcome with your application to join our translational research group at Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset!

The research group

The Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, pursues undergraduate education, research education and internationally recognized research focusing on common diseases and injuries. The goal of all activities is to improve human health.

“Group Melén” is led by professor Erik Melén, pediatric allergist and genetic epidemiologist. Our research is focused on advancing knowledge about disease etiology and prognosis using a translational approach; from genetics, immunology and mechanisms to environmental and lifestyle factors. Clinically, the group has a major focus on asthma, allergies and lung function. Molecular biomarkers and immune phenotyping methods are used to assess interactions between environmental and hereditary factors, as well as to better characterize environmental exposure and health effects. Many projects are conducted in international collaboration.

Your mission

This project proposal aims at exploring epidemiologic data to identify risk factors and relevant biomarkers in relation to asthma and lung function in early adulthood. Asthma is a common disease affecting around 10% of the population. Asthma is comprised of several different endotypes and manifests as different phenotypes. However, the underlying risk factors associated with these clinical phenotypes are not well studied, and there is an unmet need to understand lung function development in relation to risk factors and health parameters. The projects in this postdoctoral program are primarily funded by the ERC, European Research Council (grant No 757919, TRIBAL) and will be conducted within our on-going population-based birth cohort BAMSE (https://ki.se/en/imm/bamse-project). Replication attempts, when applicable, will be done in independent cohorts.

The postdoc will take the leading role in performing advanced statistical data analyses to explore epidemiologic, clinical and biomarker data in the project. Causal modelling approaches will be used.

Your profile

We are looking for a researcher with a genuine interest in medical research, epidemiology, statistics and problem solving who would join our team in exploring the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in respiratory disease.

Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. It is considered as an advantage if you have completed your doctoral degree within the last three years, if there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier. 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.

The successful candidate has a genuine interest in research and an inner drive to understand biological problems as well as clinical relevance. Previous research in the respiratory field is a requirement. The candidate is expected to use a wide range of methods used in epidemiology and biostatistics. Experience with, and a deep understanding of epidemiology (including interaction analyses), biostatistics (in particular longitudinal modelling and cluster analyses) knowledge of R, STATA etc and large-scale data management is a requirement. Experience in other omics data, immunology and bioinformatics analysis (e.g. pathway analysis) is meritorious. Own funding support is meritorious.

The work requires a good collaboration ability, the ability to solve problems and openness to learn new methods as well as ability to supervise students/colleagues. An excellent knowledge of English language, both oral and written, is required.

Key criteria:

• Relevant scientific competence and skills
• Relevant work experience in the respiratory field
• Relevant work experience in the epidemiology field
• Previous publications in the field
• Personal suitability
• Language skills and communication skills 

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. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several benefits through our collective agreement.

Location: Södersjukhuset

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 8 September 2022

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

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