Christina Carlander

Karolinska Institutet is recruiting a full-time PhD student in cancer epidemiology to join the SANCA study (Screening for Anal Cancer and precancer in women living with HIV), funded by the Swedish Research Council. The SANCA project addresses a significant evidence gap, as most anal cancer research has focused on men despite the majority of cases occurring in women. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of HPV-based anal cancer screening in women with HIV in Sweden, with a focus on developing improved triage strategies for positive anal hrHPV results to enhance early detection and reduce unnecessary procedures. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Associate Professor Christina Carlander (main supervisor), with co-supervisors Jiayao Lei, Jonas Nygren, and Hanna Milerad. The research team includes national and international experts in HIV, HPV epidemiology, laboratory science, cancer epidemiology, anal surgery, gynaecology, biostatistics, and health economics. This is an epidemiology-focused PhD, not a laboratory-based position. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, or a related field. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful research in cancer prevention and public health, particularly for women living with HIV. The project is fully funded by the Swedish Research Council, though specific stipend and tuition details are not provided. To apply, candidates should visit the official Varbi portal and follow the application instructions provided by Karolinska Institutet. For more information, refer to the provided links.

This doctoral position at Karolinska Institutet offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact medical research focused on cancer epidemiology among people living with HIV. The successful candidate will join the Clinical HIV Epidemiology and Comorbidity research group, led by Associate Professor Christina Carlander, which specializes in multidisciplinary studies aimed at preventing comorbidities, with a particular emphasis on HPV-related cancers. The group utilizes both traditional epidemiological methods and innovative approaches, including prospective biomarker studies and machine learning, leveraging Swedish national health registers to advance HIV care research. The doctoral student will be actively involved in the SANCA (Screening for Anal Cancer and Precancer in Women with HIV) study. This project addresses the implementation of anal cancer screening in women with HIV, evaluating feasibility, acceptability, and the use of self-collected HPV samples. The research also explores novel biomarkers for risk stratification and assesses the cost-effectiveness of HPV-based screening strategies. The student will participate in literature reviews, study design, data analysis, and the dissemination of findings through scientific publications and conference presentations, under the guidance of a team of experienced supervisors: Christina Carlander (main supervisor), Jiayao Lei (Assistant Professor of Epidemiology), Jonas Nygren (Associate Professor of Surgery), and Hanna Milerad (Senior Consultant of Gynaecology). Karolinska Institutet is renowned for its vibrant scientific environment, offering extensive opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers both nationally and internationally. Doctoral students benefit from individualized research projects, expert supervision, a wide range of elective courses, and the possibility of international exchanges. The position is a full-time doctoral studentship for up to four years, with a contractual salary and additional benefits such as free gym access and medical care reimbursements. Eligibility requirements include a master's degree or equivalent, or completion of at least 240 credits with 60 at the advanced level, and proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary school standards. Preferred candidates will have backgrounds in medicine, data science, public health, or related fields, with merits given for experience in epidemiological studies, data analysis, programming (R, STATA, SAS), and research in infectious diseases or cancer. Scientific publications, especially as lead author, are advantageous. Personal qualities such as curiosity, motivation, independence, problem-solving, collaboration, and strong communication skills are highly valued. Applications should be submitted via the Varbi recruitment system, including a personal letter, CV, degree projects, previous publications, and documentation of eligibility and skills. The application deadline is January 13, 2026. For further information, contact Associate Professor Christina Carlander at [email protected].