Postdoctoral position in the Nordic Brain Network group: brain imaging data in the context of clinical cohorts and trials, for personalized dementia prediction modelling

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

About the Nordic Brain Network (NBN)

The Nordic Brain Network (NBN, PI: Prof Miia Kivipelto) is part of the division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, NVS. The NBN is a multidisciplinary research team at KI, but team members are also present at the Karolinska University Hospital, in Finland and UK. NBN research focus is on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The NBN conducts cutting edge biomedical, epidemiological, observational and qualitative research, as well as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for dementia risk reduction and is part of several international collaborations. (Link-group)

Prof. Kivipelto is the PI of the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) RCT, the first large-scale trial showing that a 2-year multidomain intervention can benefit cognition in older adults at risk of dementia. Prof. Kivipelto and her team work to optimize and scale-up the FINGER model, to identify effective strategies for dementia risk reduction and prevention applicable on a global scale. Towards this end, Prof. Kivipelto has founded the World-Wide FINGERS Network (Link[FM1] -fingers). Principal Researcher Dr Francesca Mangialasche works as Executive Director of the WW-FINGERS Global Scientific Coordinating Center, and she is PI for KI in the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) project AD-RIDDLE[FM2] : “Real-World Implementation, Deployment, and Validation of Early Detection Tools and Lifestyle Enhancement”.

The project

AD-RIDDLE aims to develop, test, and deploy a modular toolbox platform that can reduce existing barriers to the timely detection, and therapeutic approaches in Alzheimer’s disease. To this end, KI contribution includes multidimensional modeling including brain imaging data (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), which can support prediction of dementia risk and response to preventive interventions, enabling precision prevention. KI also contributes to aspects of Public Involvement in Research, participating in meetings with citizens who are part of the AD-RIDDLE Advisory Board. The project leverages multinational European data from observational and intervention studies.  

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher within the AD-RIDDLE project, who will be working under the main supervision of Dr Francesca Mangialasche.

Your mission

The work includes analysis of brain imaging, clinical and other biomarker data within RCTs, as described in the research project. The work includes also tasks related to the contribution to other WPs, including participation in PPI activities (Patient and Public Involvement), as well as support with general tasks related to the project – e.g., communication with other partners, attending meetings, compiling scientific reporting.

This is a full-time, temporary position with a duration of 12 months

Your profile

We are looking for a researcher who will hold a PhD in neuroepidemiology, medical sciences or a related field at the time of employment. The ideal candidate has previous experience in dementia research and strong epidemiological skills, particularly in the analysis of longitudinal data from human studies. A genuine enthusiasm for the research area and a strong drive to contribute to ongoing projects are essential. Excellent command of the English language, both spoken and written is required.

Additional qualifications that are considered meritorious include experience with data analysis from intervention studies, familiarity with STATA software and prior involvement in multinational research projects.

To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, 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.

The successful candidate demonstrates a high level of responsibility and independence, combined with a positive, solution‑oriented mindset. Strong organizational and time‑management skills are important as is the ability to work actively and collaboratively within our dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment. Communication skills, openness, and a collaborative attitude are highly valued, as a significant part of the work involves close interaction with colleagues.
Personal qualities will be given considerable weight in the selection process.

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

Read more about the Nordic Brain Network (NBN)

www.eufingers.com

https://wwfingers.com

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)

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

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