Doctoral (PhD) student position in public health with a focus on decision-making and health inequalities Full-time

Doctoral (PhD) Student Position In Public Health With A Focus On Decision-Making And Health Inequalities

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 Global Public Health is an interdisciplinary institution that aims to advance knowledge on how to improve population health at local, national and global level. Research at the department aims to identify the determinants of health, develop and evaluate individual and structural interventions, and provide evidence for guidelines and policy documents. Many of the department's researchers are scientific advisors to authorities and other decision-makers at regional, national and international level. The department has 12 research groups, about 120 research students and about 140 employees.

The doctoral student will be part of the research group Procome, which conducts research and education on the effects and implementation of innovative improvement initiatives with a particular focus on public health, healthcare and social care. The research aims to increase knowledge about the effects and implementation of different types of improvement initiatives.

The Doctoral Student Project And The Duties Of The Doctoral Student

We are looking for a doctoral student who wants to contribute new knowledge about how decisions affecting public health are made. The doctoral student will work within the research program “Making decisions and taking actions: Embracing the complexity of implementation to reduce health inequalities “, which investigates implementation challenges of health promotion and prevention initiatives. The program is a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet and Mälardalen University.

The program's starting point is the increasing health gaps between different social groups, which are growing despite Sweden's well-developed welfare systems and ambitious public health goals. Part of the explanation may lie in how decisions about these initiatives are made and how they are implemented locally.

The program is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach where perspectives from public health, implementation science, political science and organizational research meet. A central part is a reference group that brings together actors from civil society, municipalities, regions and authorities to strengthen the relevance of the research. As a doctoral student, you become an integrated part of this environment and participate in research seminars and meetings with the reference group.

The doctoral thesis aims to explore the challenges of regional decision-making around public health initiatives. The focus is on how decisions are made in regions, both decisions about specific public health initiatives and decisions in other policy areas that may have an impact on population health and health equity. The goal is to understand how decisions that affect public health are made, including how the needs of different social groups are weighed against economic, organizational and political priorities.

As a doctoral student, you will:

• Design and conduct different types of studies (e.g. literature searches, interviews, document analysis, questionnaire studies, intervention study).
• Recruit participants and build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Analyze data using different methods (e.g. content analysis, thematic analysis).
• Publish scientific articles in international journals.
• Participate in the research program's seminars, meetings and collaborate with national and international partners.
• Present results to the research community and relevant stakeholders.

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

Requirements:

• A master's degree in public health, political science, health care administration, psychology, or another relevant field.
• Documented experience of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods as well as scientific writing.
• Practical or theoretical knowledge of decision-making in the field of public health, for example how public health policies, strategies, and interventions are developed, implemented, or evaluated.
• Fluency in spoken and written Swedish due to close contact with Swedish study participants.
• Fluency in spoken and written English at an academic level.

We place great emphasis on personal qualities in this recruitment. We are looking for a responsible and committed person with excellent project management skills, as well as strong administrative competence, to effectively drive the project forward. The applicant should enjoy working independently as well as collaborating within a team, and have the ability to easily establish contact with external actors. Furthermore, we are seeking someone who is proactive and constructive, and who is motivated to contribute to the development of the program as a whole.

Terms And Conditions

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

Location: Solna.

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. 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)

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.

KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for doctoral students. All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.