About this role
Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher education, with over 37,000 students and approximately 4,700 employees. The university offers a diverse range of high-quality programs and world-leading research across several scientific fields, including the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close at hand. Our cohesive campus makes it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering a dynamic and open culture.
The societal transformation and significant green investments we are witnessing in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, this means conducting research about – and within – a transforming society. It also involves delivering education for regions that need to expand quickly and sustainably. This is simply where the future is being created.
Are you interested in learning more? https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/om-universitetet-som-arbetsplats/
The Faculty of Medicine is one of the largest faculties at Umeå University and attracts many students with a comprehensive range of programs in the fields of medicine, dentistry, health, and care. We offer a well-developed research infrastructure and an inspiring, dynamic environment with leading research. Our close collaboration with the four regions in the Northern Healthcare Region is seen as a significant mutual asset for developing research and education and ensuring the availability of future healthcare personnel.
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine
The Department of Clinical Science is announcing a PhD position in medical science within the field of neurology.
The employment period is four years and is full-time, starting on January 1, 2026, or by agreement.
Those accepted into the doctoral education program will be part of the faculty-wide doctoral training program at the Faculty of Medicine. The program comprises 25 credits and is offered at two study paces: 25 credits over 8 semesters (totaling 4 years) or over 12 semesters (totaling 6 years), with program starts each autumn and spring semester. More information about the program can be found on the faculty's page for doctoral education (Doctoral Education).
Project Description and Responsibilities
In a previous study, we found that as many as 5.8% of Umeå's population aged 65-84 suffer from generally unsteady gait due to changes in the brain. This type of gait disorder can be caused by various neurological diseases that are sometimes treatable, and in some cases, no clear underlying condition can be identified. As a PhD student, you will delve into the brain changes underlying this type of neurological gait disorder and develop predictive measures based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. To address the research questions, we will analyze already collected data and also recall our previous study participants for new clinical examinations regarding gait and balance ability and MRI of the brain.
Together with other members of the research group, you will conduct clinically oriented research. You will contribute to many phases of the project (planning, data collection, longitudinal analysis, presentation of results, and writing). You will work closely with research nurses associated with the project and engineers specialized in MRI and analysis of MRI images focusing on pressure and flow conditions in the brain.
The position aims for a doctoral degree, and the primary task of the PhD student is to engage in their own doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral education courses, journal clubs, seminars, etc.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to doctoral education, the applicant must have general eligibility and specific eligibility as outlined below and be assessed to possess the abilities necessary to complete the education.
General Eligibility
General eligibility for doctoral education is granted to those who have obtained a degree at the advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (hp), of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or who have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within or outside the country (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 7, Section 39).
Specific Eligibility
To be eligible for doctoral education, the applicant must have the necessary knowledge from higher education or equivalent education and/or professional experience assessed in relation to the field of doctoral education, as well as necessary language skills in English. Both written and oral skills are required. Assessment of these skills will be made by having the application written in English and parts of the interview conducted in English.
Other Qualifications
Completion of a course in neurology as part of the medical program or equivalent higher education is deemed necessary to benefit from the education. A medical degree is a requirement, as well as fluent language skills in Swedish, both spoken and written. Particularly meritorious is previous employment as a physician in a neurological clinic, completed training in Good Clinical Practice, experience in administering cognitive tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, experience in assessing MRI images of the brain with a particular focus on evaluating perivascular spaces and the