PhD Candidate in Epidemiology/Public Health with Interest in Climate Change and Health
100%
The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-leading institute in global health with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. Associated with the University of Basel, Swiss TPH combines research, education and services at local, national and international levels. 950 people from 95 nations work at Swiss TPH focusing on infectious and non-communicable diseases, environment, society and health as well as health systems and interventions.
The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), within Swiss TPH, develops and applies epidemiological, statistical and mathematical methods to advance innovation, validation and application in the field of public health. The Environmental Exposures and Health Unit (EEH) of EPH is focused on research related to the many environmental exposures: including heat, green space, air pollution, noise, airborne pollen, and electromagnetic fields.
We are currently looking for a:
PhD Candidate in Epidemiology/Public Health with Interest in Climate Change and Health (100%)
The PhD study is embedded in a Swiss TPH programme grant, which aims to enhance the resilience of primary care systems and vulnerable populations to major threats of climate change, both in Switzerland and abroad. This multidisciplinary programme seeks to advance understanding of heat-related morbidity and climate-driven vector-borne diseases (VBDs), and to develop practical tools for effective prevention and mitigation strategies. The PhD study will focus on primary care health systems, heat-related morbidity, their underlying mechanisms and risk factors as well as on the development of targeted solutions together with stakeholders.
Your various responsibilities include:
- You will conduct, together with the team, a digital prospective cohort study among older adults and general practitioners (GP) patients on mechanisms leading to heat-related health effects (pre-clinical symptoms, well-being, risk perception, coping behaviour) in Switzerland. You will learn all aspects of conducting a cohort study, including applying for ethical approval, participant recruitment, design of questionnaires, data collection and data analysis
- You will contribute to transdisciplinary stakeholder meetings and development of tools for climate change adaptation
- You will work in a multidisciplinary team of collaborators at the Swiss TPH focusing on exposure modelling, data science, and environmental epidemiology
- For the PhD thesis, you will collect quantitative and qualitative data, conduct data management, data analysis, write scientific papers and present your results at national and international scientific meetings
- For complimentary advanced education, you will have the opportunity to register in the PhD program in Epidemiology/Public Health of the University of Basel and the Graduate Campus of the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+)
You should have the following experience and skills:
- Master degree level in epidemiology, medicine, natural science, geography, psychology, statistics or a similar field
- Experience in programming, data management methods, quantitative analytical methods (preferably R or Stata) and knowledge of qualitative research methods, or a strong interest in developing such skills
- Excellent German and English language skills (speaking and writing). French language skills is considered a strong asset for this position
- Strong spirit of teamwork, open for collaboration across scientific disciplines
- Ability to work independently and flexibly using your good organizational skills
- Interest in climate change and health, and ambition to contribute to scientific progress as well as to performing societal relevant research
What we offer:
- Rigorous training in quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Meaningful work in an international environment
- A state-of-the-art workplace in our new building with its own canteen on the dynamic BaseLink site in Allschwil
- Interesting encounters with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
Job conditions:
- Start Date: April 2025 or by agreement
- Duration: 3 years
- Percentage: 100%
- Location: Allschwil, Switzerland
- Travel required: Travels within Switzerland
- Salary: According SNF PhD salary scheme
Please submit your application online.
- CV
- Motivational letter including names and contact information (email or phone number) of 1 – 2 references
- Relevant certificates and diploma
- MSc course transcripts including grades
Together, we can make the world a healthier place. We look forward to receiving your application.
Please note that we can only accept applications via our online recruiting tool. As long as the position is online on our company website, we are open for new applications. Applications via email or external recruiter will not be considered.
Contact:
For further information, please visit the websites of our institute (https://www.swisstph.ch/en/).
For additional information, please contact Dr. Martina Ragettli (Martina.Ragettli@swisstph.ch).
