Doctoral student in Medical Science - Covid-19 in persons with cardiopulmonary

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The School of Public Health and Community Medicine, at the Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, conducts extensive education and research in global public health, general medicine, occupational medicine, environmental medicine, social medicine, medicine use and pharmaceutical policy. We also conduct education and research within nutritional epidemiology, insurance medicine, innovation and utilization, health economics, biostatistics and register epidemiology.

Project title: Identification and characterization of risk factors for COVID-19 and long-term COVID outcomes in patients with cardiovascular and respiratory disease

The PhD education in Medical Science comprises carrying out a scientific project and completing at least 30 credits of courses at third-cycle level. The doctoral student must also write a scientific compilation thesis or monograph corresponding to at least 120 credits. For more information about third-cycle studies at Sahlgrenska Academy, see https://www.gu.se/en/sahlgrenska-akademin/doctoral-studies

Project: Covid-19 is particularly serious for patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to develop and the short- and long-term effects after the disease and vaccination are of continued great interest. This PhD project aims to provide a detailed understanding of risk factors for developing acute Covid-19 in patients with cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease or combined cardiopulmonary disease. In its later phase, the project will study risk factors for long-term post-covid symptoms and post-covid illness in these patient groups.

The project is based on internationally unique Swedish register data of documented high quality. Using personal identification number, we have linked data, on the entire Swedish population, from national and regional health databases (Covid-19 test data, National Vaccination Register, National Patient Register, Cause of Death Register, National Prescribed Drug Register, 2 regional health databases), national quality registers for relevant patients groups (e.g. cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, intensive care), and socio-demographic data. In this database, Covid-19 patients, vaccinated individuals, and comparison groups can be identified for analyses. The data are updated regularly, so that current data are available. Epidemiological analyses using descriptive statistics and different types of regression modeling will be used, with multivariate adjustment for confounding factors. Some machine learning analyses are also planned.

The project is part of a larger transdisciplinary study of Covid-19 (SCIFI-PEARL) that will provide a simulating learning environment and opportunities for national and international collaboration and potential research visits. It is important that the PhD student has a good understanding of epidemiology and population-based studies. The PhD student will work independently on processing/analyzing large-scale data. The candidate must be motivated, careful and responsible, well-organized and effective with good strategic ability, and able to work both independently and in groups. Good English language skills are essential.

Third-cycle studies are equivalent to four year full-time and lead to a Degree of Doctor. Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research and administration (departmental duties). Before a PhD degree has been awarded, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post.

To be eligible for third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements.

A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle studies if he or she:
1. has been awarded a second-cycle qualification
2. has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or
3. has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad

A person meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Medical Science if he or she has successfully completed the English B/6 course or is considered to have acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

In selecting between applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements, their ability to benefit from third-cycle studies shall be taken into account. The assessment shall attach particular importance to documented qualifications for:
- specific knowledge and skills within the subject area and related research fields
- experience of scientific theory and relevant research methodology
- scientific analysis and presentation verified through thesis, degree project, scientific journals or the like.

Documented experience within the areas of epidemiology, public/global health or other similar relevant area is of merit, as is experience of work in areas related to infectious, cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Experience of statistical software (especially Stata, R and SAS) and of data from Swedish public registers is desirable.

After admission to third-cycle studies you will be appointed to doctoral studentship. Regulations for employment of doctoral students are given in SFS 1993:100. The initial appointment may apply for no longer than one year. An appointment may be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be appointed to a doctoral studentship for a total of eight years. The total employment period may, however, not exceed the time corresponding to full-time third-cycle study for four years.

Location: Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Medicine, The School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Extent: 100%. First day of employment: as agreed.

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University. 

For more information about the project please contact the principal supervisor,
Fredrik Nyberg, Professor, Institute of Medicine,
phone: +46-317866289, e-mail: [email protected]

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:
https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply

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In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

You must include the following, in pdf format

• Personal letter
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts showing that you meet with the general entry requirement
• Proof of completion of  English 6 course or the acquired equivalent knowledge through previous studies

If your degree is from a university outside of Sweden, make sure that you attach a diploma and full transcripts that makes assessing your degree easier.  

If your degree has not been verified by a Swedish authority you need to provide contact details to the issuing university, registrar or similar, that can verify the degree at our request.

For information on what you need to submit in order to fulfill the English language requirement see https://www.universityadmissions.se/en/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Closing date: 2022-01-12

The University of Gothenburg promotes equal opportunities, equality and diversity.

Applications will be destroyed or returned (upon request) two years after the decision of employment has become final. Applications from the employed and from those who appeal the decision will not be returned.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.