项目介绍

2026年4月15日

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

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

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 doctoral student will be part of a team led by Dr Viktor Ahlqvist, focusing on perinatal epidemiology and advanced epidemiological methods. The group leverages nationwide administrative and clinical data to address pressing clinical and public health challenges. The environment is analytically rigorous and collaborative, with strong emphasis on computational methods with translational relevance. The doctoral student will participate in group meetings, seminars, and journal clubs, and contribute to ongoing collaborative projects across the team, while benefiting from multidisciplinary and international collaborations, including links to regional healthcare providers and partner institutions in Sweden and abroad. As part of the broader ‘OffTheCharts’ research  programme, the student will also engage with a strong network of senior experts across epidemiology, clinical medicine, and statistics.

The doctoral student project and the duties of the doctoral student

The doctoral project is embedded within the larger ‘OffTheCharts’ research programme, which aims to address inequalities in maternal and fetal health among migrant gravidas by generating clinically relevant evidence using Swedish nationwide registry data. The project combines epidemiological evaluation of clinical standards with modern predictive modelling to assess and improve clinical tools in diverse populations. The doctoral student will be expected to lead and contribute to multiple research studies within this framework, including data management, statistical analyses, and dissemination of findings through scientific publications and presentations. Over the course of the PhD, the student will develop expertise in perinatal epidemiology and register-based research, alongside advanced training in statistical modelling, epidemiological methods, and the ethical considerations of population-based research.

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 requirementYou 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

Skills:

• You should hold a master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, health data science, biostatistics, or a closely related field.
• You should have excellent communication skills in English; proficiency in Swedish is not required.
• Experience in statistical programming (e.g., R, Stata, or Python) is required.
• Previous research experience is desirable, particularly in reproductive or perinatal epidemiology.
• Practical experience working with large datasets (e.g., cohort or registry-based data) is meritorious.
• Experience with statistical modelling (e.g., regression-based approaches) is meritorious.

We attach great importance to personal qualities in this recruitment. As a person, you are:

• Analytical, structured, detail-oriented, and committed to high-quality work, with a strong interest in research and solving complex problems.
• Self-driven and able to work independently, with the ability to take initiative and move projects forward.
• Curious and motivated to learn new methods, skills, and concepts.
• A strong communicator, able to clearly convey both scientific and non-scientific ideas in speech and writing to different stakeholders
• Collaborative and comfortable working in interdisciplinary teams with diverse backgrounds.

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. 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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