Doctoral student in unit genetic and molecular epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Doctoral student for the unit of genetic and molecular epidemiology

The Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Unit runs several major national and international projects focused on understanding the role of genomic and lifestyle factors in complex metabolic diseases like diabetes, obesity and CVD. The Unit currently hosts several doctoral students, post-docs and junior faculty. The continued success of the Unit requires that researchers at doctoral level and above work with the Unit’s key projects.

Work duties

The successful applicant will have a strong interest in precision medicine, cardiometabolic diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes, CVD and obesity) and bioinformatics. Proven ability to program in R (and other programming-based statistics software such as STATA, Python and SAS) and experience with Machine Learning methods (e.g. random forests, neural networks) is essential. The successful applicant will undertake a PhD project focused on the interplay between genetic and lifestyle factors in cardiometabolic health. The work undertaken will be reported through peer-reviewed publication, which will form the basis of a PhD thesis. The work will focus on the analysis and interpretation of existing data accessible to the GAME Unit, such as the GLACIER Study, VIKING Study, DIRECT Study, RHAPSODY Study, and UK Biobank; analyses will focus on the joint effects of lifestyle and genetics and other omics variation in complex disease. The PhD may also involve fieldwork collecting new data in clinical studies. The successful applicant will be expected to work on-site the vast majority of the time.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Qualifications

Essential characteristics:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in epidemiology or biostatistics
• Experience handling and analyzing complex datasets
• Excellent written and oral communications skills (in English)
• A background in diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular disease
• Experience with statistical methods for analyzing multivariable models 

Preferred:

• Previous research documented through publication focused on precision medicine

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Type of employment

Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.