PhD Student in Clinical Substance Use Epidemiology

The Institute of Primary Health Care of the University of Bern (BIHAM) is dedicated to train and foster the next generation of primary care physicians and to carry out research in primary health care, epidemiology, and public health. The BIHAM offers a lively, interdisciplinary environment with excellent methodological support and access to a large network of practicing primary care physicians.

We are looking for a PhD Student in Clinical Epidemiology to join the research team of the BIHAM
(www.biham.unibe.ch) and work on the 5-years follow-up visits of the ongoing Efficacy, Safety and Toxicology of ENDS (ESTxENDS) randomized controlled trial, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). ESTxENDS is a participatory, interprofessional and interdisciplinary research project of a team of national and international researchers including epidemiologists, qualitative researchers, clinicians, biostatisticians, toxicologists and public health experts. You will work under the guidance of Prof. Dr. med. Reto Auer (head of substance use research at the BIHAM) and associated researchers at BIHAM.

Duties and responsibilites

Participate in the coordination of the work of study nurses performing the assessments
Synthesize and analyze quantitative and qualitative data
Present own work at international conferences and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals
Assist supervisor in various scientific and administrative activities
Collaborate in other projects at the BIHAM substance use unit

Qualifications and skills

Highly motivated with a strong interest for substance use and counselling
Holding a master's degree in epidemiology, life science, medicine, pharmacy or any degree considered as equivalent
Interested in biostatistics and training in statistical programming (STATA/R).
German and English (B1 or more), French is a plus
Ability to work efficiently, independently and in an interdisciplinary team

We offer

You will participate in the Graduate School for Health Sciences academic program. After the PhD training the student will have learned skills in clinical epidemiology, with the aim of being able to continue an academic carrier as post-doc and conduct epidemiological studies.

The position is available from January 2025, with negotiable starting date, and offered for 4 years. Part-time clinical and research work agreements negotiable. The PhD stipend is according to SNSF standards (current scale: www.snf.ch/SiteCollectionDocuments/allg_doktorierende_e.pdf).

The BIHAM offers an international and interdisciplinary environment, closely related to the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM; www.ispm.unibe.ch). It encourages independence and flexible working models. For further information on the position, contact Prof. Reto Auer, reto.auer@unibe.ch. Please send your application including a letter of motivation and curriculum vitae to Human Resources administration: hr.biham@unibe.ch. Applications are considered until November 1st, 2024.