Research assistant to the Department of Global Public Health (part time)

Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

The Department of Global Public Health is a multidisciplinary department with the aim to advance knowledge about challenges and opportunities for public health in a local, national, and global setting. Many researchers at the department are scientific advisors to authorities and other decision makers at regional, national, and international levels. The department is responsible for three international master’s programs and the researchers are actively involved in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The department has 12 research groups, around 120 PhD students and about 140 employees.

Many of today’s health challenges are complex and require a deep understanding of health systems, politics, and multisectoral collaboration. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has placed immense strain on the country’s health system. At the same time, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and made necessary changes to ensure that everyone receives the care they need. There is much to learn from Ukraine’s experience, and the Health Bridge project aims to improve the conditions for health diplomacy in the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe, with a focus on lessons learned from Ukraine.

Contribute to a safer and healthier Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe through health diplomacy with lessons learned from Ukraine.

The position will be based in the research group Global Child Health and Sustainable Development. The extent of the position is 50% for six months, with the possibility of extension. 

Your mission

The research assistant will be part of a collaboration project funded by the Swedish Institute (SI), titled "Health Bridge – Towards a healthier and safer region – Bridging the Baltic Sea Region and Eastern Europe in a health diplomacy network." Within the framework of the project, we will establish a health diplomacy network with university actors in the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe, and organize a seminar series focused on lessons learned from Ukraine. The project runs for two years.

The research assistant’s responsibilities include:

• Schedule and lead meetings, as well as taking notes
• Lead the development of a project plan and work plan, and ensuring their implementation
• Be responsible for project monitoring and evaluation
• Collaborating with colleagues from Ukraine and Latvia to lead a workshop series on lessons learned from Ukraine, including contacting and inviting participants to the workshops and the network
• The research assistant is also expected to write manuscripts and contribute to the overall implementation of the project as needed 

Your profile

We are looking for someone with a strong interest in and experience of health systems in conflict settings, health diplomacy, and Eastern Europe. You must have:

• A Master’s degree in health policy or another area deemed relevant by the employer
• Solid knowledge of the Ukrainian health system and its challenges during the war
• Familiarity and experience with the Swedish university system
• Excellent proficiency in both English and Ukrainian, spoken and written

We particularly welcome applicants with previous experience in collaborative projects between Swedish and Ukrainian universities. If you also have contacts in other Eastern European countries or in the Baltic Sea region, this is considered a strong merit.

We are looking for someone who is highly organized and reliable in delivering results within both short and long-term deadlines. You should have excellent collaboration and communication skills, as well as experience in planning and coordinating meetings and projects, and in managing communication and dissemination of project outcomes. Great emphasis will be placed on personal characteristics.

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. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden. Karolinska Institutet is also a state university, which entitles you to several good benefits through our collective agreement. And you get to practice freely in our modern wellness facilities, where trained staff are on site.

Location: Solna

Application

Welcome to apply at the latest 22nd of October 2025. 

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. 

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