Postdoctoral Researcher on Dementia Epidemiology

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 at the Center for Alzheimer Research, NVS. The majority of this multidisciplinary research team is based at Karolinska Institutet (Q Building in Solna), with team members also located at Karolinska University Hospital, as well as in Finland and the United Kingdom. NBN’s research focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The team conducts cutting-edge biomedical, epidemiological, observational, and qualitative research, as well as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed at reducing dementia risk. The group is actively involved in several international collaborations and networks (https://ki.se/en/nvs/nordic-brain-network).

We are now seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the Nordic Brain Network (NBN) and to collaborate close with main supervisor Dr. Shireen Sindi. Within NBN, Dr. Shireen Sindi leads research focused on sex differences in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their underlying mechanisms. As part of a newly funded project under the Wellcome Leap – Care initiative, the aim is to investigate the associations between hormonal and reproductive factors (e.g., hormone therapies, reproductive history, menopause) and the mechanisms through which they are linked to Alzheimer’s disease. These include neuroimaging correlates, Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid or plasma (e.g., beta-amyloid, tau), genetics, and other markers. This research will also contribute to the identification of individuals at risk for dementia and support the development of future multi-domain preventive interventions.

Your mission

In this position, you will take on a broad and responsible role that covers the full research process, from idea generation to publication. You will be responsible for conducting literature reviews, managing and processing data, and performing statistical analyses. Additionally, you will interpret results and prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

You will also present research findings at relevant seminars and conferences and maintain regular and effective communication between collaborating centers to ensure timely sharing of results and updates. A key aspect of the role is to integrate the expertise of various research team members to foster strong interdisciplinary collaboration.

Your research will involve several longitudinal cohort studies and clinic-based cohorts, selected according to specific research questions. As a postdoc, you will also play an active role in mentoring students within the team and contributing to various project goals. You are expected to participate in virtual meetings and collaborate with team members located in Sweden, the UK, and the US.

This is a full-time (100%) position for two years, with the possibility of extension.

Your profile

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctor, a PhD or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a Swedish PhD is required. This eligibility requirement must be fulfilled at the latest at the time of the employment decision. Completion of your doctoral degree within the last three years is considered an advantage. If there are special reasons, your degree may have been completed earlier.

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in epidemiology, data science, medical science, or a related field, with strong statistical skills and the ability to independently manage data from multiple cohorts, including data cleaning and advanced analysis. Experience working with older populations, cognitive impairment or dementia, sex differences, and biomarker data – including neuroimaging and fluid-based markers – is particularly valuable.

Excellent command of English, both spoken and written, is required. Understanding of Swedish is an advantage, as clinical data and ethical applications are often handled in Swedish. The ideal candidate is responsible, independent, and solution-oriented as well as an collaborative team player in our large, dynamic, and interdisciplinary research group.

We place great importance on your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively, as much of the work involves close interaction with others. The role also demands flexibility and strong project management skills to organize and carry out work according to set timelines.

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: Solna 

Nordic Brain Network – Miia Kivipelto's research group | Karolinska Institutet

Shireen Sindi | Karolinska Institutet

Choose to work at KI – Ten reasons why | Karolinska Institutet

Application

An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

PhD certificate 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 6th of July, 2025.

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

Permanent position is initiated by a six months trial period.

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