In that case, doing your research in Sweden is a given. Alexandra Wennberg is a U.S.-born epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm. After earning her PhD at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a postdoc at the Mayo Clinic, she decided to continue her research in Europe, and eventually came to Sweden.
– Karolinska [Institutet] for epidemiological research is really one of the very best places in the world that you can do that work. What I’ve seen at Karolinska is really equivalent to what I had in many ways at Johns Hopkins and Mayo [Clinic]. And I think Sweden does a relatively good job at the state level of supporting researchers, says Alexandra.
But it’s not just the world class research that is done in Sweden that drew Alexandra to Sweden, and why she has stayed for 7 years.
– I mean, the research and all that is obviously important, but it's also the other things around your employment. Like the social service supports in terms of healthcare and other things is better, and it provides a stronger sense of security. I think in the end the work life balance is better for me [In Sweden], says Alexandra.
Sweden needs foreign researchers
– Sweden relies on the contributions of foreign researchers to further its position at the forefront of cutting-edge research and innovation. We welcome all the foreign researchers that opt to work in Sweden due to its leading-edge research environments that are among the best in the world” says Petra Malm Danielsson, Head of Public Affairs at Naturvetarna - The Association of Professional Scientists.
Naturvetarna is a trade union for PhD students and scientists. In Sweden it’s common that all types of workers and employees belong to a trade union, regardless if it’s in the industry, academia, private or public sector. We help our members in academia to understand their rights and obligations as employees.
– We work tirelessly at the national level to make it easier for foreign PhDs, researchers and scientists to come and stay here and contribute to Swedish innovation. By being a member of Naturvetarna you help to strengthen our advocacy for foreign scientist and resarchers, says Petra.
Improving conditions for researchers in Sweden
As a trade union we fight for our members’ rights, whether it is to get a good salary deal with the right to regular pay reviews and open discussions, plus the chance for a yearly pay rise, or the possibility of a permanent position in academia, amongst many other things.
So, if you are thinking of doing your research in Europe, come to Sweden and join Naturvetarna – The Association of Professional Scientists!