PhD position in chronic pain epidemiology Karolinska Institutet in Sweden

Karolinska Institutet, one of the world's leading medical universities, invites applications for a PhD position in chronic pain epidemiology at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The department is renowned for its research in epidemiology and biostatistics, with strong profiles in psychiatric, cancer, reproductive, pediatric, pharmaco, genetic, and geriatric epidemiology, as well as eating disorders, precision medicine, and biostatistics. The research group specializes in psychiatric epidemiology, utilizing the world’s largest twin registry and comprehensive Swedish population data. The group comprises epidemiologists, behavioral geneticists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and statisticians, offering a collaborative and international research environment.

The doctoral project focuses on nociplastic pain, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain without an apparent external cause, including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches. The aim is to explore risk factors for nociplastic pain using multivariate statistical models and quasi-experimental designs to address unmeasured confounding. The PhD student will lead four research projects in this field, supported by experienced supervisors.

As a doctoral student at Karolinska Institutet, you will benefit from an individual research project, a well-educated supervisor, a wide range of elective courses, and opportunities for international exchanges. The position offers a contractual salary for up to four years full-time, access to a modern gym, and medical care reimbursements. The department values creativity, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit, ensuring a supportive environment for academic growth.

Eligibility requirements include a second-cycle/advanced/master qualification or equivalent, or at least 240 credits with 60 at the advanced/master level. Proficiency in English equivalent to English B/English 6 at Swedish upper secondary school is mandatory. Applicants should have documented experience in quantitative methodology, epidemiology, public health, or related fields. Skills in statistics, statistical software (R and/or SAS), register-based research, behavioral science, data management, and causal inference techniques are desirable. Strong analytical skills, independence, and excellent oral and written communication in English are essential.

The application process requires submission through the Varbi recruitment system. Applicants should provide a personal letter, CV, degree projects, previous publications, and documentation of eligibility and skills. Applications can be written in English or Swedish. The selection will be based on subject knowledge, analytical skill, and relevant experience. The deadline for applications is June 5, 2026.

For further information about the department, visit http://ki.se/en/meb. For questions, contact Dr. Erik Pettersson at [email protected]. Join Karolinska Institutet and contribute to better health for all through top-quality medical research.