Senior Research Specialist in Clinical Geriatric Epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Prof. Kivipelto is leading the multidisciplinary research team known as ‘Nordic Brain Network’ (NBN) collaborating with the University of Eastern Finland, National Institute of Health and Welfare in Helsinki, Finland and others. The research is focusing on prevention, early detection and treatment of cognitive decline, AD and other dementias. The NBN team is leading  several large EU and international projects,and the Word-Wide FINGERS network (www.wwfingers.com). The NBN team is also carrying out pioneering prevention trials testing multidomain interventions to prevent cognitive impairment and AD, as well as phase I-III drug trials for AD, at the Clinical Trials Unit, Karolinska University Hospital. We are looking for a Senior Research Specialist to join our team and contribute to our research activities.

Description of the subject area

We are seeking a Senior Research Specialist in Clinical Geriatric Epidemiology, with a focus on modifiable dementia risk factors, and experience with working on observational studies and clinical trials.

Your mission

for cognitive decline and dementia, which still require further investigation (e.g. stress and sleep), and develop effective and sustainable multimodal preventative interventions for cognitive decline and AD, targeting people with different risk profiles. Main duties involve the development of strategies for primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of age-related cognitive decline, dementia and AD.

This implies working with large databases from population-based and clinical-based projects, and with data gathered from observational and intervention studies.

The role involves working with a rich array of data, including neuropsychological, clinical, and medical data, including a wide array of biomarkers  such as blood-based and salivary biomarkers and neuroimaging data. The postholder will be involved in the design and conduction of non-pharmacological RCTs in older adults, conducted at the Clinical Trials Unit, connected to the Memory Clinic. Finally, the post holder should be willing to supervise Master and PhD students and provide support for early career researchers.

We are seeking a scientist with a background in human neuroscience or epidemiology, with experience in geriatric epidemiological studies and in the field of dementia/AD risk reduction and biological markers, with a focus on novel modifiable risk factors such as stress and sleep.

We are also seeking a scientist with documented experience of dealing with large cohort studies. Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are mandatory. Functional communication skills in Swedish are required. The candidate is expected to be independent in the areas of experimental design, data gathering and analysis as well as manuscript and grant preparation.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for employment as a Senior Research Specialist, in addition to holding a Degree of Doctor, PhD, or having equivalent scientific expertise, the applicant must have demonstrated good level of research expertise with significant scientific production. The applicant must also have demonstrated a good scientific independence to which their own contribution has been significant and a research plan of high quality with clear potential for the future.

Assessment criteria

 For employment as Senior Research Specialist at Karolinska Institutet, the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria stated in the Rules regarding other positions than teaching positions are applied in relation to the established profile of employment.

To be eligible 15 original publications are required [MK1] and the majority should be based on research that has been carried out after the doctoral education. Of these, at least two must be as first or last author, of which at least one as last author, carried out after the doctoral education and without any of the doctoral supervisors as co-authors.

Other assessment criteria:

• Scientific original publications, their quality and quantity, with special consideration on publications after the doctoral education.
• Scientific independent ability demonstrated through leading and senior
• authorships.
• Review articles and other scientific publications.
• Presentations and scientific assignments at international congresses.
• Research grants received in regional, national and international competition.
• National and international research collaborations.
• Research responsibility as supervisor for degree project on advanced level, doctoral student and postdoc.
• Reviewer and evaluator of the scientific work of others.
• Research experience from a research group other than where the doctoral education was conducted.
• Development of one's own research profile within the subject area.
• Plan for future research based on current science.

It is particularly meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Leadership in various projects and academic tasks
• Successful completion of supervision assignments
• International collaborations
• Obtained external funding independently
• Previous experience with EU projects and international projects

It is meritorious that the applicant has shown

• Previous work on evidence from clinical trials
• Contributions to optimise scientific work environments
• Support with the preparation of grant applications that were awarded
• Broad teaching experience at various educational levels

Skills and personal qualities

The applicant will be part of a dynamic international research team, composed of members with different backgrounds, educationally as well as culturally. The candidate should be driven and motivated, able to think in an open-minded manner, have a high level of responsibility, good communication skills, and the ability to work independently at a multidisciplinary level, as well as show team-working abilities and interpersonal skills.

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. Here, 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: Solna

Application

We prefer that Your application is written in English, but You can also apply in Swedish. An application must contain the following documents: Resumé, qualifications and description of planned research, presented in accordance with Karolinska Institutet's qualifications portfolio.

The applications will be reviewed by external reviewers.

Welcome to apply at the latest 5th of may 2023

The application must be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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