Assistant Professor in epidemiology or biostatistics at MEB

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Are you a bold, creative researcher ready to shape the future of medical science? Karolinska Institutet (KI), one of the world’s foremost medical universities, is launching a major recruitment initiative in 2025. KI is seeking 20 outstanding early- career researchers to join us as Assistant Professors in a wide range of subject areas. 

At KI, we foster a vibrant, international research environment where curiosity, innovation, and excellence thrive. We are looking for inspiring, driven, and visionary scientists with exceptional research achievements and the potential to become future leaders in their fields. 

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) conducts research in epidemiology and biostatistics across a broad range of areas within biomedical science. The department is among the largest of its type in Europe and has especially strong research profiles in psychiatric, cancer, reproductive, pediatric, pharmaceutical, genetic, and geriatric epidemiology, eating disorders, and biostatistics. 

Part of the success of our department is due to our collaborative spirit. Researchers at the department share and co-finance common resources (e.g., IT and an applied biostatistics group). Only researchers who are interested in this model should consider applying. The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at ki.se/en/meb  

What do we offer? 

If you meet our requirements and propose a ground-breaking research project, we are prepared to employ you as an Assistant Professor for six years and support you with a generous funding package of SEK ​9​ million to cover your salary and other research costs. KI offers the opportunity to be promoted from a time-limited (six-year) position as Assistant Professor to a permanent employment as Senior Lecturer. You can read more about it here. 

At KI, you’ll be part of an interdisciplinary research community. Our researchers work across a wide range of fields and methodologies within medicine and health, creating rich opportunities for knowledge exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration. You’ll also benefit from close connections with healthcare providers, ensuring your research remains closely aligned with real-world clinical practice. 

As a state university, KI offers a comprehensive benefits package governed by collective agreements. These include annual salary reviews, supplementary insurance, and opportunities to participate in institutional decision-making. 

We also understand that a successful research career is supported by a strong personal foundation. That’s why we are committed to supporting not only our researchers but also their partners and families, recognising the vital role they play in your life and well-being. 

Learn more about what KI and Sweden can offer, and the different calls! 

Location: ​Solna​  

Description of the subject area  

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events (including disease) in human populations. Biostatistics is the science of inferring knowledge from data in the fields of medicine, biology, and public health. We interpret these definitions of epidemiology and biostatistics very broadly. 
 
Research in epidemiology at MEB spans most areas of medical science, but we have especially strong research profiles in psychiatric, cancer, reproductive, pediatric, pharmaceutical, genetic, and geriatric epidemiology. Research in biostatistics at MEB spans causal inference, clinical trials, design and analysis of epidemiological studies, registry-based research, twin and family studies, predictive modeling, image analysis, survival analysis, statistical genetics, and high-throughput data analysis. MEB does not have research or teaching commitments that require us to favor any subdiscipline of epidemiology or biostatistics. Our goal is to recruit the strongest scientists in epidemiology or biostatistics, irrespective of research area.  ​ 

Your mission

This Assistant Professor position offers a unique opportunity to build a strong academic profile—primarily by developing your independence as a researcher, while also gaining valuable teaching and pedagogical experience. 

​​You will be expected to develop and lead a research group. Some teaching in the department's undergraduate and/or graduate programs is expected. You will be expected to explore opportunities for research collaboration within the department and to contribute to the academic environment of the department. ​ 

Eligibility requirements 

To be eligible for an appointment as Assistant Professor, you must demonstrate good scientific skills according to KI’s eligibility criteria as follows: 

• A PhD (or equivalent degree) in a relevant subject area.
• At least two peer-reviewed original scientific publications as first or last author, in addition to the doctoral thesis.

Priority is given to those who were awarded a doctoral degree or attained equivalent research competence no more than seven years prior to the expiry of the application period for the position as Assistant Professor.  

Those who have been awarded a doctoral degree or attained equivalent research competence earlier will also be considered if there are special circumstances for absence from research (deductible time), such as: parental leave, long-term illness, positions of trust in trade union organizations or mandatory service in total defence.  

The circumstances, dates and extent must be clearly specified in the application and verified by relevant documentation. 

For this call, exceptions are made from all pedagogical requirements specified in the instructions regarding the Appointment procedure for teachers at KI. However, you must complete three weeks of higher education pedagogical courses in accordance with SUHF's recommendations no later than two years after starting employment as an Assistant Professor, unless you can certify that equivalent training has been completed before starting the position. 

Assessment criteria 

Candidates will be evaluated based on both scientific and pedagogical qualifications, with greater emphasis placed on scientific excellence. The full set of assessment criteria is outlined in the instructions regarding the Appointment Procedure for Teachers at KI.  

Particularly meritorious is: 

• the scientific quality, originality, and feasibility of your research plan within the relevant subject area  
• documented experience in research environments outside KI, with special consideration given to international research experience 

These criteria reflect our commitment to fostering globally competitive researchers who contribute to high-impact science and academic excellence. 

Meritorious is: 

• excellent written and oral communication skills in English, as the work environment is international 
• personal qualities such as a strong aptitude for collaboration and teamwork, adaptability, integrity, being able to work independently, resilience, initiative, and enthusiasm.  

The criteria listed will form part of the overall assessment of the applicant. All criteria will be assessed but they should not individually be seen as requirements.  

Offers will be extended to the best candidate based on an overall assessment of the applicant’s expertise and merits in relation to the subject area. 

Application guidelines 

All applicants are expected to follow the application instructions carefully. Failure to comply with the guidelines or misrepresentation of qualifications may negatively impact on the evaluation of your application. 

The application should consist of the following documents, written in English: 

• A personal letter (maximum 1 page) 
• Application form, including your research project (the form can be found here) 
• Up to ten published papers and optionally one manuscript, in PDF format 
• PhD certificate 
• If you have a PhD that is older than seven years and want to claim deductible time, you must attach a certificate of deductible time in Swedish or English. 

Welcome to apply no later than September 2nd, 2025 (time 23.59 CEST). 

For more information about conditions regarding funding and employment, see here. 

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