Do you want to contribute to better health for all?

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 join the PROCOME research group, 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 seeking a doctoral student who would like to contribute new knowledge on how low-value care can be identified, understood, and reduced within healthcare. Low-value care refers to examinations, treatments, or other healthcare interventions that provide little or no benefit relative to their risks, costs, or available alternatives. Despite extensive knowledge about which healthcare interventions should be avoided, many such interventions are still commonly used in healthcare.

The doctoral student will work in a research project aimed at developing knowledge and methods for de-implementation, that is, the systematic process of reducing or discontinuing the use of low-value care. The project focuses particularly on patients’ role in the use of low-value care and on how de-implementation strategies can be developed and adapted to different healthcare contexts.

The project includes four sub-studies:

• Mapping the field of de-implementation research through a scoping review.
• An interview study exploring patients’ perspectives on, and reasons for, requesting interventions that may be of low value.
• A survey experiment investigating factors that influence patients’ requests for low-value care.
• Adapting and evaluating methods for linking identified barriers to de-implementation with appropriate strategies.

As a doctoral student, you will:

• Design and conduct various types of studies (literature reviews, interviews, survey experiments).
• Analyze data using both qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., framework analysis and statistical analyses).
• Participate in the development and application of implementation science theories and frameworks.
• Write scientific articles for international journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences.
• Coordinate contacts with relevant stakeholders, such as patient and family representatives and healthcare professionals.
• Actively participate in research group seminars, meetings, and collaborative research activities.
• Administrate and document 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 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

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Implementation Science, or another relevant field.
• Documented experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, as well as scientific writing.
• Strong expertise in systematic literature reviews.
• Experience of working with statistical softwares such as SAS, STATA and R.
• Strong interest in implementation science research, particularly de-implementation of low-value care.
• Documented practical or theoretical experience of de-implementation of low-value care.
• Very good command of Swedish, both spoken and written, allowing for interview analysis and contact with study participants.
• Fluent proficiency in English, both spoken and written, at an academic level.

Meritorious Qualifications

• Knowledge of how Swedish healthcare is organized
• Experience conducting interview studies and/or survey experiments.
• Experience conducting studies involving patients.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities in this recruitment. We are looking for a responsible and committed individual with excellent project management skills and strong administrative competence to coordinate and drive the project forward. The applicant should be comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively in teams and should be able to establish relationships with external stakeholders. Furthermore, we are seeking someone who actively and constructively contributes to the development of the project 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.

All applicants will be informed when the recruitment is completed.

KI applies a salary scale when setting salaries for doctoral students. 

Read more about PROCOME research group.

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