PhD Studentship in Medical Science (Global Health) for International Applicants

PhD Studentship in Medical Science

Course(s) Offered: Public Health
Course Level: Doctoral studentship/PhD position
Provider: Umeå University
Country to Study in: Sweden

Scholarship Description
It is widely recognised that the world’s population is in a continuous state of demographic, epidemiological and health transition, not least as a result of increasing globalisation. It is also true that different areas of the world and particular countries encounter these transitions in various ways and at different times.

Although some generic principles underlying these processes were set out in the 1970s, there remains a lack of evidence-based analyses from settings which have already experienced major transitions as a basis for informing understanding and policy in contemporary transitions.

The aim of this PhD project is to make use of well-established population-based data (for example, but not exclusively, from Swedish historical population registers) in analyses designed to inform policy in today’s transitional populations.

Eligibility
Applicants must:

1. hold or anticipate receiving within the next months a University degree equivalent to a European University Master degree in the field of Public Health or equivalent (240 hp) or 
2. have 120 Swedish (old) credits (Swe. poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS credits) of higher education studies in Public Health or equivalent taken before July 1, 2007. 

Prior qualifications are likely to include graduate and post-graduate attainment in discipline(s) relevant to the practice of global public health, including medicine and well-developed skills in quantitative analysis.

Applicants are expected to be interested in global health issues and be willing to work as part of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams within the Centre for Global Health Research. This may involve some collaboration in low and middle-income countries, experience of which is desirable.

The post will be based in Umeå, Sweden, but may involve some international travel.

A good working knowledge of English is essential.

Special eligibility:
In order to be accepted to doctoral education, it is required that the applicant has the following:

1. necessary knowledge from university higher education or corresponding education, and/or
2. special professional experience that is assessed in relation to the postgraduate education area,
3. necessary English language skills, both in writing and in speaking.

Evaluation of these skills is made by having the intended PhD student present his/her research plan in English for the department board’s designated postgraduate education group.

Eligible groups
Citizens of ANY country may apply

Participating Institutions
The Centre for Global Health Research, located within the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Division of Epidemiology and Global Health will host this PhD position.

The Swedish Research Council (VR) funded Swedish Research School for Global Health is hosted jointly by this Unit in Umeå and by the Committee for International Research Training (KIRT) at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm.

Fields of study
The PhD project aims to make use of well-established population-based data in analyses designed to inform policy in today’s transitional populations.

Number of awards
One studentship will be awarded in this programme

Sponsorship duration
Initially, during a period of at most 6 months as project assistant, the holder will be expected to develop and register a full PhD plan. After that a doctoral studentship ("doktorandtjänst") will be offered for a four-year period. It is anticipated that a PhD thesis will be defended by year 2015.

A modest amount of teaching and student supervision may be expected to be part of this post. If so, the four year period will be prolonged accordingly.

Scholarship benefits
The successful applicant for this studentship will work within the the institutions' (see 'Participating Institutions' above) overall research and teaching environment. In the Division of Epidemiology, this comprises approximately 80 people including administrative staff and doctoral students.

Characteristics are multidisciplinarity, a North-South perspective, a combination of medical and social perspectives and a synergy between quantitative and qualitative methods.

Method of Application
The application should include a Curriculum Vitae, a short description of experience indicating your suitability for the position and your reasons for interest, copies of degree certificates, relevant publications, and contact details for at least two academic references.

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapt. 12, 2 §) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed.

Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.

DEADINES:
All applications must arrive Umeå University by December 16, 2010 by the latest.

PLEASE NOTE:
For further information, please contact Professor Peter Byass, (peter.byass@epiph.umu.se), phone +46 767873007.

Umeå University is an organisation in constant change and development. Umeå University conducts groundbreaking research within several areas - several in which we are among the best in the world - within others regarded as the leaders in Sweden. We are one of Sweden’s largest providers of education and offer a broad and attractive range of courses and programmes. Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment for everyone that studies and works here. We wish to co-operate with companies and organisations throughout the Umeå region and all over the world.

Application Deadline: 16 December 2010
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

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