PhD Candidate Position in Nutritional Epidemiology
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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 seeking a highly motivated PhD student in Nutritional Epidemiology to join the Ageing Research Team at the Bern Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), led by Dr. PD Patricia Chocano-Bedoya. The position is part of a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)–funded project investigating sustainable and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns for the prevention of type 2 diabetes. This collaborative project is conducted in partnership with Prof. Christina Dahm's group at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, and involves close collaboration with research partners in Switzerland, Italy, and Denmark. This position is available as of March 1st 2026.
- Critically review the literature and analyze datasets from international collaborations.
- Write research protocols and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
- Present own work at international conferences
- Assist supervisor in various scientific activities
- Highly motivated with a strong interest for epidemiology and nutrition
- Holding a master degree in epidemiology, nutrition or any degree considered as equivalent
- Programming skills in R, SAS and/or Stata
- High level of English proficiency (German or French is a plus).
- Ability to travel to Denmark
- Working in an international, multidisciplinary and highly stimulating environment.
- Collaboration with world-renowned experts in Switzerland and Denmark
- Support for career development and training. A wide range of courses is offered by the University of Bern (https://www.ghs.unibe.ch/)
- Salary according to the regulations of the Swiss National Science Foundation for PhD students (approximately CHF 50,000 per annum plus social security contributions). This position is planned for approx.. 3.5 years
- curriculum vitae with contact information of two references
- a cover letter with a personal statement describing your motivation and suitability (max 1 page).