PhD-position in breast cancer epidemiology and AI Full-time NEW

PhD-position in Breast Cancer Epidemiology and AI

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 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.

The Research Group

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, MEB at Karolinska Institutet conducts epidemiological and biostatistical research in a broad spectrum of biomedical science. The research in the breast cancer group at MEB performs national and international epidemiological studies on risk and prognosis of breast cancer. The research group offers a creative and inspiring environment filled with a broad competence and curiosity with leading research within the area, with the overarching aim of clinically improving women's health. The advertised PhD-position is part of the EU financed Marie Skłodowska-Curie-doctoral network HER-CARE: “Hereditary & Early Onset Breast Cancer: Comprehensive Personalized Assessment, Early Risk Evaluation, and Clinical Management” with special focus on breast cancer epidemiology and artificial intelligence (AI).

The Doctoral Student Project and the Duties of the Doctoral Student

The successful applicant will work in the Marie-Curie HER-CARE doctoral network (https://www.her-care.eu/) on the project “Evaluation and development of AI risk models and MRI evaluation for personalized breast cancer screening”. This project will develop and estimate the predictive performance of digital mammography based novel AI breast cancer risk tools for identifying high-risk women in breast cancer screening who in the short-term could benefit from additional clinical follow-up after a negative screen. The project will also study the predictive performance of digital mammography-based breast cancer risk tools for identifying women who in the short-term have low-risk who may not benefit from frequent breast cancer screening. Additionally, the project will investigate how the outcome from an MRI exam for women who undergo supplemental imaging could refine future risk and screening recommendation.

The doctoral student will also have secondment in Netherland (Radboudumc) for three months for Assessment of the value of negative examinations (mammography and MRI) in adjusting the modelled risk and additionally a secondment in an industrial collaboration for analysis of real-world screening data for risk model evaluation and clinical guidelines integration.

What Do We Offer?

Career support for doctoral students

International staff

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.

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

The applicant must have:

• Master's degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics or machine learning
• Documented skills in image analysis, statistical analysis, and programming including Python, R, and machine learning (such as PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Experience in big data and register management, analysis, and data interpretation
• English speaking

Meritorious qualifications:

• Experience of participating in manuscript writing and research publications

We attach great importance to personal qualities in this recruitment. As a person, you are scientific curious, have analytical thinking, good ability to communicate scientific methods, good ability to work independently and in collaboration with colleges and research groups, good ability to document the work and research activities, and have strong motivation for pursuing the PhD.

Terms and Conditions

The doctoral candidate needs to prove with supporting documents that he/she has not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the employment date.

The doctoral candidate must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree (at the date of the employment) and undertake transnational mobility. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. The eligibility status will not evolve over the lifetime of the action, even if they are re-recruited at another beneficiary.

The doctoral candidate must meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie-doctoral network eligibility criteria at the time of recruitment.

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. 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.

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

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