Doctoral (PhD) student position in geriatric trauma Full-time

Doctoral (PhD) Student Position In Geriatric Trauma

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 department of clinical science and education, Södersjukhuset (KI SÖS) has approximately 60 employees, whereof 7 professors, 100 PhD students and 140 affiliated researchers. The research at the department is focused on widespread diseases such as diabetes, stroke and allergy. Our research also covers the area of emergency care, including trauma.

Gabriel Sandblom's research group, Gastrointestinal surgery KI SÖS, conducts clinically integrated research in trauma, acute care and surgery. The environment includes regular research meetings, journal clubs and close collaboration between clinical practice and academic research. The project is carried out in collaboration with researchers with complementary expertise in trauma surgery, registry-based research and ageing science.

As a doctoral student you will have access to a dedicated workspace and the necessary infrastructure for data management, statistical analysis and manuscript preparation.

The Doctoral Student Project And The Duties Of The Doctoral Student

The project focuses on how trauma systems respond to injured older patients in Sweden. Using data from the Swedish Trauma Registry and linked national registers, the project examines age-associated differences in triage, treatment intensity and short-term outcomes after trauma. The doctoral student is expected to contribute to data management, statistical analysis, interpretation of results and manuscript preparation, as well as to participate in research seminars, doctoral courses and the scientific activities of the research group.

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.

(A) and (B) can only be certified by the documentation requirement for doctoral education.

Skills And Personal Qualities

In addition to the eligibility requirements, we see that you have the following:

Requirements

• Medical degree or other advanced qualification relevant to the project

Meritorious requirements

• Research experience in trauma, geriatrics or registry-based clinical research
• Experience of injury coding using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), including certified training
• Experience of statistical programming and data management in R
• Experience of independently contributing to sub-studies within a larger research project, from analysis through interpretation and presentation of results
• Experience of scientific presentation of results at research meetings or international scientific conferences
• Clinical experience from emergency care, surgery, trauma, or care of older patients
• Experience of scientific writing, literature review, and working in a multidisciplinary research environment

As a person, you have a strong interest in clinically oriented research and the ability to work with complex data. Furthermore, you have strong collaborative skills, a high level of structure and the ability to drive tasks independently. As the work involves collaboration with international colleagues and partners, excellent skills in English, both spoken and written, is required.

Terms And Conditions

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

Application Process

Welcome to apply latest 19 May, 2026.

Submit your application and supporting documents through the Varbi recruitment system. Use the button in the top right corner and follow the instructions. We prefer that your application is written in English, but you can also apply in Swedish.

Your application must contain the following documents:

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

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.