Postdoctoral researcher in Psychiatric Genomics

The Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB) is among the largest departments of epidemiology in Europe with special focus on increasing our knowledge of the aetiology of different diseases. Our department consists of researchers, doctoral students, biostatisticians, data collectors and database administrators as well as administrative personnel, in total some 250 staff. The department is situated at campus Solna. Further information can be found at ki.se/meb



Division: KI Psychiatric Genomics Institute (KI-PGI)
We are seeking a new post doc that will work at the KI Psychiatric Genomics Institute (KI- PGI), which is a research program at Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB), established under the auspices of the Swedish Research Council (www.

ki.se/pgi). PGI is a systematic program established to evaluate the epidemiological, molecular, and cellular effects of genetic risk loci for psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric genomics has achieved unprecedented advances. After a century of uncertain progress and debate about the nature of severe psychiatric disorders, we now possess extraordinary new knowledge about the fundamental genetic architectures. A decade ago, there was perhaps one solid finding for schizophrenia, and there are now almost 300 loci that meet consensus criteria for significance and replication.

The overall goal of the KI-PGI is to systematically evaluate the epidemiological, molecular, and cellular effects of these loci. The research is highly trans-disciplinary with deep collaborations within the KI, Sweden, Europe, the US, and Australia. Multiple large data collection efforts have been based at MEB, and new efforts are in progress.

Duties
The overarching goals of the KI-PGI are: (a) on a population scale, how do genes and environment act and interact to modify risk for the cardinal psychiatric disorders? (b) By what molecular and cellular mechanisms do these genes act?

This postdoc position will be focused on the first question. (a) Many analyses in psychiatric genetics are not fully informed with respect to the clinical literature: how can we craft the right questions and then rigorously address them? For example, childhood trauma is a risk factor for many psychiatric illnesses but investigations of how directly assessed genetic risk acts or interacts with past trauma are few. How can we define this construct rigorously and deploy a powerful analysis of this critical topic? (b) The knowledge base is such that we can now envision bringing genomic findings back to the clinic. What findings should we implement clinically? How do we do this effectively?

For more information, please see PubMed IDs 23974872 24776740 24463508 25056061 22777127 28686353

Entry requirements
A person is eligible for a position as Postdoctoral Researcher if he or she has obtained a PhD within the last 3 years.

Applicants should have substantial past clinical experience in mental health evaluation and treatment (e.g., as a psychologist or medical doctor). In addition, applicants should have a PhD degree in epidemiology, psychology, psychiatry, or genetics. In addition, the applicant should have experience in conducting genetic research studies of psychiatric disorders. Knowledge of complex trait genomics is important. Specific knowledge of psychiatric genomics (particularly for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, eating disorders, or major depressive disorder) is similarly crucial.

The applicant should be highly collegial, experienced in working in “team science” contexts, possess exceptional communication and organizational skills, know how to successfully multitask, and should be able to describe past examples of having developed structured approaches to solving unanticipated and complex problems.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required, along with ample experience with writing and publishing research articles in English.

The appointment will be for 2 years, with a possible extension after evaluation.

Application process
An employment application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

- A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
- A complete list of publications
- A summary of current work (no more than one page)
- Verifications for crediting of illness, military service, work for labour unions or student organisations, parental leave or similar circumstances
- Verification from the thesis defence committee or the equivalent (only if the thesis defence is scheduled within three months after the application deadline)
The application is to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

Karolinska Institutet is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Its vision is to significantly contribute to the improvement of human health. Karolinska Institutet accounts for the single largest share of all academic medical research conducted in Sweden and offers the country’s broadest range of education in medicine and health sciences. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet selects the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine.
Pursuant to the regulations of the Swedish National Archives, applications are kept on file for two years after the appointment has gained legal force. The regulations do not apply to attachments that have been printed or otherwise published.
Karolinska Institutet strives to provide a workplace that has approximately the same number of women and men, is free of discrimination and offers equal opportunity to everyone.

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