Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?


To be a doctoral student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

The research group

The research focus within the division is to improve the understanding of neurological diseases and find new and better treatments for disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease and stroke. The Neuroepidemiology research group is led by Professor Jan Hillert and currently consists of around ten people. The research projects within the group are aimed at advancing the understanding of MS, including the disease course, the consequences of disease and the identification of factors influencing disease outcome. The research group is involved in extensive national as well as international collaborations with academia, health care organizations, non-profit originations and pharmaceutical companies and has recently been appointed the coordinator of two large international projects.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral student will be involved in the project “Natural course of multiple sclerosis: The importance of quality of care and clinical factors on MS outcomes”. The student will work with data from the Swedish MS registry as well as linked data from other nationwide Swedish public registries, thereby learning to handle large databases. He/she will have the opportunity to develop his/her analytical skills as part of the doctoral education. The student will follow the KI Doctoral Education Program. The aim is for all four studies included in the thesis to be presented as publications in peer reviewed scientific journals.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. 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. As a doctoral student you are offered an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a vast range of elective courses and the opportunity to work in a leading research group. Karolinska Institutet collaborates with prominent universities from all around the world, which ensures opportunities for international exchanges. You will be employed on a doctoral studentship which means that you receive a contractual salary. Employees also have access to our modern gym for free and receive reimbursements for medical care.

Eligibility requirements for doctoral education

In order to participate in the selection for a doctoral position, you must meet the following general (A) and specific (B) eligibility requirements at latest by the application deadline.

It is your responsibility to certify eligibility by following the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

A) General eligibility requirement
You meet the general eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

  1. have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree) or
  2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the advanced/second-cycle/master level, or
  3. have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.*

Follow the instructions on the web page Entry requirements (eligibility) for doctoral education.

*If you claim equivalent knowledge, follow the instructions on the web page Assessing equivalent knowledge for general eligibility for doctoral education.

B) Specific eligibility requirement

You meet the specific eligibility requirement for doctoral/third-cycle/PhD education if you:

- Show proficiency in English equivalent to the course English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school.

Follow the instructions on the web page English language requirements for doctoral education.

Verification of your documents
Karolinska Institutet checks the authenticity of your documents. Karolinska Institutet reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action.

Skills and personal qualities

Experience of clinical neurology with focus on MS is required as well as significant understanding of epidemiological research. Previous experience from working with data from MS patient registries will be highly desirable. Excellent command of English will be required. This position involves many collaborations with colleagues, other research groups and larger consortia and hence the ability to work with others is essential.

Terms and conditions

The doctoral student will be employed on a doctoral studentship maximum 4 years full-time.

Application process

Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions.

Your application should contain the following documents:

- A personal letter and a curriculum vitae (Swedish or English)
- Degree projects and previous publications, if any (Swedish or English)
- Any other documentation showing the desirable skills and personal qualities described above (Swedish or English)
- Documents certifying your general eligibility (see A above)
- Documents certifying your specific eligibility (see B above)

Selection

A selection will be made among eligible applicants on the basis of the ability to benefit from doctoral education. The qualifications of the applicants will be evaluated on an overall basis.

Karolinska Institutet uses the following bases of assessment:

- Documented subject knowledge of relevance to the area of research
- Analytical skill
- Other documented knowledge or experience that may be relevant to doctoral studies in the subject.

 All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

Read more about the Department of Clinical Neuroscience
Read more about the research group you will be part of Jan Hillert's research group

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

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Månadslön
Reference number 2-1380/2020
Contact
  • Vendela Breeze, HR administrator, 08-524 832 82
  • Jan Hillert, Professor/senior physician, jan.hillert@ki.se
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, 08-524 840 80
  • Venus Azhary, OFR, 0707-124 127
  • Arsalan Amir, SACO, 08 - 517 733 37
Published 13.Mar.2020
Last application date 27.Mar.2020 11:59 PM CET

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