PhD Candidate Forensic Psychology 100%

Earliest start date February 2025, position to be filled as soon as possible

The Faculty of Psychology is one of seven faculties of the oldest university in Switzerland. With our core focus on Society & Choice and Health & Interventions, we are successful both nationally and internationally in our research and study programs.
 
In the newly established department of Forensic Psychology, we work on the application of psychological theories, methods and empirical findings to legal problems. Our research currently focuses on the prognosis and prevention of child abuse, and neglect, forensic-psychological assessment, children's rights, and the development of aggressive and antisocial behavioral problems.

Your position

  • Investigating forensic-psychological research questions, e.g., planning and conducting studies often in collaboration with practice institutions and courts, data collection with potential vulnerable populations.
  • Implementing current methods and perspectives in data collection and analysis in forensic psychology.
  • Presenting research findings in academic journals, at national and international conferences, as well as within the Graduate School of Psychology.
  • Moderate teaching activities in the field of psychological assessment and forensic psychology and supervision of bachelor and master theses.

Your profile

  • Completed master's degree in psychology or a closely related field.
  • Interest in research in the field of forensic psychology, in alignment with and in expansion of the research focus of the department.
  • Prior experience in research and/or practice in forensic psychology through a corresponding major in your studies, internships, practical experience, e.g., as court expert witness, is advantageous.
  • Very good skills in research methods and statistical analysis (e.g., structural equation modeling, machine learning) and statistical software (e.g., R, STATA, Mplus).
  • Teaching experience is advantageous.
  • Ability to work in a team, communication skills, organizational skills.
  • Reliable and dedicated work ethic.
  • Proficiency in English language (both written and spoken), knowledge of German is advantageous. The department's working language is English. Teaching, preparation of research materials, and data collection are mostly conducted in German.

We offer you

  • The opportunity to pursue a PhD at the Faculty of Psychology and to participate in the educational program of the Graduate School of Psychology.
  • Involvement in the research group's projects as well as national and international collaboration opportunities.
  • Access to a state-of-the-art behavioral, experimental and psychophysiology laboratory.
  • Development of academic, teaching and interdisciplinary competencies.
  • Engaged and frequent supervision.
  • Employment conditions according to university guidelines for doctoral candidates.
  • The position is initially limited to 1 year, with the option of extension for an additional 3 years.

Application / Contact

We value diversity in our team and are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment. Therefore, we encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
 
We look forward to receiving your application documents:
  • One-page cover letter addressed to Prof. Dr. Jelena Zumbach-Basu.
  • Curriculum vitae including list of research output (publications, conference papers/presentations, code, datasets, if applicable).
  • Relevant certificates.
  • Example of an academic work, e.g., master's thesis, seminar paper.

 
Please submit these documents by January 22, 2025 at the latest via the online portal; applications through other channels will not be considered. The review of applications will begin on January 23, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.
For further information, please contact us via email at jelena.zumbach-basu@unibas.ch using “PhD vacancy” as the email subject.