Research Assistant: Associations of Menopause Transition and Menopause Pharmacotherapies with Onset, Exacerbation/Improvement, and Management of Mental Disorders

Location: Stockholm

Type: Research

Term: Semester

Introduction to the topic:

Approximately 50% of the world’s population will undergo menopause, a critical life event which is associated with a range of physical (e.g., hot flushes, sleeping problems, heart palpitations, and headaches/migraines) and psychological symptoms (e.g., low mood and problems with concentration). Whilst the burden of menopause symptoms on quality of life and work ability is widely acknowledged, the extent to which menopause and menopause treatments are associated with the onset and exacerbation of mental disorders is unclear.

To address these knowledge gaps, we have established the meno2mind project which aims to synthesize and appraise existing scientific evidence pertaining to the impact of menopause and menopause treatments on mental disorders and ensure that these findings are disseminated to the public and key stakeholders.

This multiphase, evidence synthesis project comprises a series of sequential review projects (scoping, systematic, and umbrella) designed to identify gaps in the current evidence base and determine the extent to which menopause transition and pharmacotherapies for menopause are associated with onset, exacerbation/improvement, and treatment of mental disorders.

Project details:

As a Research Assistant, you will conduct eligibility checks, review of original articles, and data extraction tasks. Moreover, you will learn the different phases of a scoping review project, from conceptualization to dissemination of the findings, and a whole lot in between. As DIS Research Assistants, you will be a part of a network of highly skilled academics from institutions throughout Europe.

There will be three modules in this Research Assistantship. You will learn about the theoretical and practical aspects of the project in the first Module. Conducting the review will be the focus of Module Two. In the final Module, you will write a report based on your work.

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be listed here as soon as it is available.

This is the most recent syllabus for this course

: Previous research experience is an advantage, but not a requirement.

: Previous research experience is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.