Postdoctoral studies in renal epidemiology (scholarship)
Karolinska Institutet · Flemingsberg · Deadline 2026-11-05
Karolinska Institutet in Flemingsberg offers **postdoctoral studies in renal epidemiology** funded via a tax-free scholarship, awarded for twelve months at a time for up to two years. The researcher will join an interdisciplinary environment focusing on cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic disease using Swedish Renal Registry real-world data, biopsy material, biomarkers, and clinical cohorts. Key responsibilities include developing study protocols, designing observational studies, performing clinical prediction modelling, and conducting **advanced statistical analyses** such as target trial emulation. The work also involves applying machine-learning and AI methods to multi-omics and imaging features (PET, CT, MRI, ultrasound), authoring peer-reviewed manuscripts, and presenting findings at international conferences. Eligibility is restricted to foreign researchers who live outside Sweden and have not completed any part of their academic education in Sweden, within four years of completing a **doctorate or equivalent**. The doctorate must be in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, data science, or a related discipline, with all degree requirements fulfilled before the start date. Essential qualifications include strong experience in real-world clinical data analysis, observational study design, survival analysis, clinical prediction modelling, and proficiency in R or Python with reproducible workflows. Experience with multi-omics, radiomics, machine learning, nephrology or cardiology research, and a demonstrated publication record are highly desirable.
Postdoctoral studies in renal epidemiology(scholarship)
Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?
The Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC) is a clinically oriented research department distinguished by its close integration of research, healthcare and education, in partnership with Karolinska University Hospital.
The division of Renal Medicine offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment spanning patient-centered clinical research, epidemiology and biostatistics, and experimental nephrology and renal pathology. Our mission is to advance the understanding of kidney diseases and translate scientific discoveries into more personalized approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The division also has a strong educational commitment, contributing to undergraduate, postgraduate and specialist training at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital.
Division
The Renal Medicine division conducts research at the intersection of epidemiology, biostatistics and clinical nephrology. By combining advanced epidemiological and statistical methods with large-scale healthcare registry data, clinical cohorts and clinical trials, we address clinically important questions to improve understanding of kidney disease and patient outcomes.
Our research focuses on advancing kidney medicine, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic disease. Key methodological strengths include pharmacoepidemiology, clinical prediction modelling and multi-omics.
Duties
This postdoctoral position offers the opportunity to contribute to interdisciplinary research on kidney disease. The postdoctoral researcher will conduct studies in patients with chronic kidney disease using real-world data from the Swedish Renal Registry and other well-characterised clinical cohorts, including biopsy material, biomarkers and patient-reported outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing study protocols and statistical analysis plans
- Designing and conducting observational studies and clinical prediction modelling using real-world registry data
- Analysing multi-omics data and imaging-derived features from PET, CT, MRI, and ultrasound using machine-learning and other AI-based methods
- Managing data and conducting advanced statistical analyses, including target trial emulation
- Interpreting and presenting research findings at international scientific conferences
- Writing scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
- Contributing to collaborative projects within the Renal Epidemiology division and with national and international partners
Entry requirements
Postdoctoral scholarships may be established for foreign researchers who pursue their merit in Sweden. A foreign researcher is a person living in another country who comes to Sweden with the intention of only staying in Sweden for all or part of their postdoctoral education at KI. Persons who are resident in Sweden and/or have carried out all or part of their academic education at KI or some other educational institution in Sweden cannot be considered for scholarships. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four-year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate, or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post-doctoral education.
Furthermore, the successful applicant must hold a doctoral degree in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, data science, or a related discipline. You have a strong experience in real-world clinical data analysis, observational study design, survival analysis and clinical prediction modelling, together with proficiency in R and/or Python and reproducible data-management workflows.
Experience with multi-omics, radiomics, machine learning or AI-based methods, as well as a demonstrated record of scientific publications, international collaboration and clear communication in English, is highly desirable. Prior experience in nephrology/cardiology is an advantage, but candidates with relevant expertise from other clinical research areas are encouraged to apply.
What do we offer?
A creative and inspiring environment with wide-ranging expertise and interests. Karolinska Institutet is one of the world's leading medical universities. Here, we conduct innovative medical research and provide the largest range of biomedical education in Sweden. At KI, you get to meet researchers working with a wide range of specialisms and methods, giving you ample opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience with the various scientific fields within medicine and health. It is the crossover collaborations, which have pushed KI to where it is today, at the forefront of global research. Several of the people you meet in healthcare are educated at KI. A close relationship with the health care providers is important for creating groundbreaking top quality education and research. Students and employees have free access to our modern gym facilities with trained staff on site.
Location: Flemingsberg
Type of scholarship
The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.
Application process
Welcome to apply no later than 5 November 2026.
_An__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)
The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.
Want to make a difference? Join us and contribute to better health for all
Jobbfakta
Fält – Värde
First day of employment – As soon as possible, according to agreement
Salary – Scholarship
Reference number – STÖD 2-4249/2026
Contact – Marie Evans, 08-58580000, marie.evans@ki.se
Union representative – Carina Eklund, OFR/ST, carina.eklund@ki.se; Taher Darreh-Shori, SACO, taher.darreh-shori@ki.se
Published – 15.Oct.2026
Last application date – 05.Nov.2026