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PhD Student
Doctoral Student (Licentiate Degree) in Breast Cancer Research Full-time
Doctoral Student (Licentiate Degree) in Breast Cancer Research
Do you want to contribute to improving human health?
To be a licentiate student means to devote oneself to a research project under supervision of experienced researchers and following an individual study plan. For a licentiate degree, the equivalent of two years of full-time research education is required.
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.
The research group
Position is available within the breast cancer research group that currently comprises senior and junior researchers, and PhD students working on different aspects of breast cancer risk, prognosis, screening, treatment response, and molecular epidemiology. The research is conducted in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, with close collaborations with clinical breast cancer research groups to integrate epidemiological, statistical, molecular, and clinical perspectives in breast cancer research.
The licentiate student project and the duties of the licentiate student
This project will leverage unique Swedish registers and beyond to construct two different population-based cohorts, with an overall aim to better understand the inheritance of breast cancer risk and prognosis.
Study 1 will use nationwide Swedish registers to construct a one of the largest population-based, three-generation cohort. The aim is to investigate the associations between breast cancer family history across three generations and both breast cancer risk and prognosis of the third generation, and to determine whether these associations differ depending on maternal or paternal inheritance.
Study 2 will construct a cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer with more detailed information on tumor characteristics, treatments, and screening participation from several national quality registers. The aim is to examine the inheritance of breast cancer prognosis among sisters and whether these inheritance patterns differ by estrogen receptor (ER) status, with a particular focus on the roles of tumor characteristics, treatment adherence, and screening behaviors.
The student will participate in data management, register linkage, statistical analyses, interpretation of results, and scientific writing. The student is expected to take a leading role in conducting epidemiological analyses, preparing scientific reports, and presenting research findings at scientific meetings. The student shall also draft two scientific manuscripts and submit them to scientific journals as well as present data to the scientific community.
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 licentiate education
In order to participate in the selection for a licentiate 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:
- have been awarded a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification (i.e. master degree), or
- 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
- 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 licentiate 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
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong interest in epidemiology and cancer research. Prior experience of research within breast cancer is considered a great advantage for this project. Authorship on research articles is also highly meriting. Methods used in the study include advanced epidemiology and biostatistics, as well as constructing multi-generation database using large-scale data.
The following qualifications will be especially valued:
- A master's degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Experience working with large-scale databases, preferably those related to registers
- Experience in genetic and molecular epidemiology
- Good scientific writing skills, preferably with a track record in peer-reviewed publications
- Experience in statistical analysis, using the statistical programs SAS and R
- Good communication skills
Terms and conditions
The licentiate student will be employed on a licentiate studentship maximum 2 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. 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 licentiate 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 licentiate studies in the subject.
KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for licentiate students. All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.