Karolinska Institutet, MEB

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics 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, pharmaco, genetic, and geriatric epidemiology, eating disorders, precision medicine, and biostatistics.

Part of the success of our department is due to our collaborative spirit where one factor is that researchers at the Department share and co-finance common resources (e.g., IT and an applied biostatistics group). The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at http://ki.se/en/meb

A doctoral student is admitted to third-cycle/doctoral education. A doctoral education consists of supervised research, combined with courses and other educational activities. An individual study plan is established for each doctoral student. For a doctoral degree, the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education is required.

Research group
The Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation (CEDI) at MEB was established under the auspices of the Swedish Research Council. We are dedicated to applying novel and emerging methodologies and technologies to elucidate causal mechanisms underlying eating disorders.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student
The overarching goal of CEDI is to discover how the genome, the microbiome, and the environment act and interact to modify the risk for eating disorders. Our studies aim to discover the molecular and cellular mechanisms that are involved in these processes. The PhD student will be deeply involved with analyses associated with the Eating Disorders Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. In addition, GWAS data from the Anorexia Genetics Initiative (ANGI) includes genotype and phenotypic data from 4000 cases with anorexia nervosa and 4000 healthy controls in Sweden. We have deep phenotypic information from all participants, in addition to genome-wide Illumina GSA array data. In-depth and large-scale studies of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are also in progress at the center. The PhD projects will focus on genome-wide association studies of deep phenotypic information in eating disorders, and exploring predictors of illness course and outcome in eating disorders. The PhD student will also be encouraged to develop their own research ideas.

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
Applicants should have a background in epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, statistical genetics, or related disciplines and familiarity with multiple types of modern genomic datasets (e.g., genome-wide association, RNA-sequencing). Modern genomics also requires familiarity with programming (e.g., R, python, SAS), use of standard software packages (e.g., PLINK, IMPUTE/MACH, GATK, PRSice), flexibly manipulating large datasets, bioinformatic integration, and knowledge on polygenic risk score analyses. An understanding of complex trait genomics is very important.

The applicant should be highly collegial, experienced in working in “team science” contexts, possess exceptional organizational skills, know how to successfully multitask, and should be able to describe past examples of having developed structured approaches to solving unanticipated and complex problems. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required, along with ample experience with writing in English. A commitment to advancing the science of eating disorders 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 (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.

KI 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.

Type of employment PhD placement
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement
Salary Monthly
Reference number 2-4425/2019
Contact
  • Sofia Anderberg, sofia.anderberg@ki.se
  • Cynthia Bulik, cynthia.bulik@ki.se
  • Bengt Fundin, bengt.fundin@ki.se
Union representative
  • Henry Wölling, SEKO, henry.wolling@ki.se
  • Ulrika Zagai, SACO, ulrika.zagai@ki.se
  • Ann Almqvist, OFR, ann.almqvist@ki.se
Published 05.Sep.2019
Last application date 26.Sep.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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