PhD student in Health Informatics

PhD student Position in Generative AI: Exploring Clinicians' and Patients' Experiences and Opinions. 
Are you interested in working with a vibrant interdisgiplinary health research team, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a doctoral position at Uppsala University.

The position will be at the Participatory eHealth & Health Data Research Group at the Department of Women’s and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine. This research group is renowned for its cutting-edge research and commitment to improving healthcare through innovative solutions. The Department of Women’s and Children's Health is one of the leading departments within the faculty, and dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and practice through interdisciplinary research that integrates clinical expertise with the latest technological advancements. Our department fosters a collaborative environment where researchers work closely with clinicians, patients, and technology experts to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today.

Position Overview

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and independent PhD candidate to join our dynamic research team. The successful applicant will work on the pioneering FORTE funded project entitled “AI in Healthcare Unleashed: Responsible and Ethical Implementation of Large Language Model Chatbots in Clinical Workflows and Patient Care” (2024-00039). This 3-year research project explores the experiences and opinions of clinicians and patients regarding the use of generative AI in healthcare. This project aims to investigate the potential of generative AI to enhance documentation, while also addressing the ethical, social, and practical implications of its use.

Why Join Us?

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Our research team is known for its interdisciplinary approach, combining expertise in clinical practice, AI technologies, and mixed methods survey research. You will have the chance to work in a supportive and flexible environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and professional development. The PhD student will be located in Sweden and attend Uppsala regularly.

We are committed to fostering a positive work-life balance and offer various benefits, including access to state-of-the-art research facilities, opportunities for international collaboration, and funding for attending conferences and workshops. Our leadership is dedicated to supporting the career growth of our researchers, providing ample opportunities for skill development, mentorship, and publishing in high-impact journals.

Duties

- A doctoral student will devote their time to graduate education mainly. The rest of the duties may involve teaching at the Department, including also some administration, to at most 20%.

- Conduct mixed-methods qualitative research to explore clinicians' and patients' experiences and opinions on the use of generative AI in healthcare.

- Independently design, execute, and analyze research studies, while also contributing to the collaborative efforts of the research team.

- Dedicated attendance at research and team meetings.

- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present them at national and international conferences.

- Engage with stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, AI developers and policymakers, to ensure the research is grounded in real-world applications and perspectives.

Contribute to the development of ethical guidelines and best practices for the integration of generative AI in clinical settings.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in health informatics or a related field (e.g., healthcare, psychology, sociology, public health, computer science, or a related discipline) 
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, as well as oral presentation skills
• Very good ability to work independently and professionally in a collaborative environment and to communicate with colleagues from different academic disciplines
• Very good ability to show initiative, deliver work in a timely manner while meeting deadlines, and be careful with the details

Additional qualifications

• A keen interest in the ethical and social implications of AI in healthcare.
• Strong background in descriptive statistics and qualitative research methods, with experience in mixed-method survey approaches highly desirable.
• Knowledge of modern research methods, data collection and analyses (including design science research and qualitative research methods).
• Experience working with statistical software is an advantage.
• Any prior experience of collaboration with clinical researchers, human subject studies (any type of research involving human study participants, including but not limited to clinical research), collection and management of health-related data
• Proficiency in Swedish is an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage research projects, and produce high-quality academic writing.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following documents (see details below).

- A cover letter outlining your research interests, any previous research experience, and why you are a good fit for this position.

- A detailed CV, including any publications or conference presentations.

- a copy of your Master’s thesis

- Copies of your Master’s degree diploma (examensbevis)

- Contact information for two academic referees.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1st of November or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Dr Charlotte Blease; Telephone: 0044(0)7921587211; charlotte.blease@uu.se.

Please submit your application by 2 October 2024, UFV-PA 2024/3004.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.