PhD position in Medical Science, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Umeå University, Faculty Office of Medicine
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.
The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.
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The Faculty of Medicine, which consists of 12 departments, is responsible for biomedical research and courses in the field of nursing and health care and has an extensive research and graduate education in more than 80 subjects.
Description of work
This PhD project is part of a randomized controlled trial that compares a novel treatment approach for depression in young people - Training for Awareness Resilience and Action (TARA) - with standard treatment (ST). The TARA-group was shown to be superior at six months follow-up and the safety profile of TARA was excellent. The following research gaps will be addressed in this PhD project: 1. The clinical effectiveness of TARA compared to ST at long-term follow-up, 2. If and how TARA and ST impact autonomic regulation, 3. cortisol metabolism and 4. biomarkers of stress and neurodegeneration.
The position aims to result in a doctoral degree, and the main task of the doctoral student is to engage in their own doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral courses, journal clubs, and seminars. The doctoral student’s tasks in the TARA-project are to analyse data from the long-term follow-up of the TARA study and to analyse biomarkers for autonomic regulation, cortisol metabolism, neurodegeneration, and neuroprotective factors.
This will be done in collaboration with Uppsala University and Linköping University.
Qualifications
To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must meet the general and specific eligibility requirements listed below and be deemed to have the ability otherwise required to successfully complete the program.
General Qualifications
Applicants must hold a university degree at an advanced level of at least 240 credits (ECTS), including 60 credits at the advanced level, or equivalent levels of education otherwise acquired in Sweden or abroad. (HF 7 kap 39§).
Specific Admission Requirements
To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must have the necessary knowledge from higher education or equivalent education and/or professional experience assessed in relation to the research subject area. To be admitted to doctoral studies good English skills are necessary, both written and spoken.
Other Meritorious Qualifications
Particularly meritorious are previous research experience in biomarkers, statistical knowledge, and experience with statistical software such as R and SPSS. And proficiency in the Swedish language.
Salary Placement
Salary in accordance with the established salary scale for doctoral positions.
Application
The application must be written in English and include:
- A personal cover letter explaining why you are applying and why you are suitable for the doctoral position.
- A CV.
- Certified copies of degree certificates, transcripts, and other relevant documents.
- Copies of your thesis and any publications.
- Contact information for at least two referees.
Applications must be submitted via our e-recruitment system Varbi and received no later than 2026-01-08.
Welcome to submit your application!
| Type of employment | Temporary position |
|---|---|
| Contract type | Full time |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Full-time equivalent | 100 |
| City | Umeå |
| County | Västerbottens län |
| Country | Sweden |
| Reference number | AN 2.2.1-1310-25 |
| Union representative |
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| Published | 13.Nov.2025 |
| Last application date | 08.Jan.2026 |