PhD student position in Climate Epidemiology and Public Health

Kanton Bern; Bern; On-site; CHF 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International, interdisciplinary work

Enrollment in OCCR and Graduate School

Career development support

Job summary

The Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at the University of Bern invites applications for a PhD project focused on community-based interventions to reduce heat vulnerability in the Canton of Bern.

You will co-design, implement, and evaluate interventions in collaboration with cantonal stakeholders and leverage the BEready cohort to assess uptake and impact on well-being and heat-related outcomes.

Qualifications

• MSc or higher in a relevant field as listed.
• English and German communication skills are required.
• Experience with stakeholder interviews and focus-group discussions is advantageous.
• Experience with R or similar programming language is desired.

Responsibilities

• Design stakeholder engagement and intervention co‑creation activities.
• Contribute to design and evaluation of heat-related health interventions with the team and communities.
• Assist in applying for third-party funding with supervision.
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Participate in co‑creation workshops with stakeholders.
• Present work at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate in teaching activities of the team.

Skills

Stakeholder interviews

Focus groups

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Public speaking / presenting

Education

MSc degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Environmental Sciences, Climate Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Policy, or closely related field

Tools

R

Job description

The CEPH Group and the ISPM

The Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Bern (ISPM) performs research in a range of disciplines relevant to public health (www.ispm.unibe.ch). Groups cut across divisions, facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to research in the fields of clinical epidemiology, social and behavioural health, biostatistics, and international and environmental health. The ISPM is highly reputed for its expertise in health effects of environmental exposures, the spread of infectious disease, and the health of vulnerable groups including children and the elderly.

The CEPH Group and the ISPM

The Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine of the University of Bern (ISPM) performs research in a range of disciplines relevant to public health (www.ispm.unibe.ch). Groups cut across divisions, facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to research in the fields of clinical epidemiology, social and behavioural health, biostatistics, and international and environmental health. The ISPM is highly reputed for its expertise in health effects of environmental exposures, the spread of infectious disease, and the health of vulnerable groups including children and the elderly.

The Climate Epidemiology and Public Health Group, led by Prof. Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, addresses the impacts of climate, climate change and related environmental hazards on health with particular focus on the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies, and quantification of health impacts using novel methods in climate epidemiology. The PhD position is embedded in the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR) Climate, Cities, and Health Cluster, a large interdisciplinary research platform that brings together natural sciences, epidemiology, social sciences, climate modelling, governance, and communication to investigate how climate change and urban environmental challenges affect human health and to develop sustainable adaptation strategies that address climate risks and promote equitable societal resilience.

The PhD project

Within this PhD project, you will investigate how community-based interventions can reduce heat vulnerability and protect populations from the health impacts of heatwaves in the Canton of Bern. In particular, the research will focus on co‑designing, implementing, and evaluating locally relevant interventions in close collaboration with cantonal stakeholders responsible for heat action plans. Potential interventions include climate shelters, structured check‑in systems during heatwaves, intergenerational support networks, and targeted assistance with daily tasks. You will have the possibility to leverage the BEready cohort, a unique household‑based, multi‑generational population study in the Canton of Bern, to assess the uptake, feasibility, and short‑term impacts of these interventions on well‑being and heat‑related outcomes. Your work will contribute actionable evidence to inform and strengthen local heat adaptation strategies. You will be enrolled at the Climate Science Graduate School of Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Close interaction with researchers of the OCCR Climate, Cities, and Health Cluster, and with the hosting team.
• Design of stakeholder engagement and intervention co‑creation activities.
• Contribute to the design and evaluation of heat‑related health interventions, together with the research team and local communities.
• Contribute to third‑party funding application, together with the supervisory team.
• Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Participation in co‑creation workshops with relevant stakeholders.
• Present own work at national and international conferences and workshops, and published peer‑reviewed journals.
• Participate in teaching activities of the team.

We seek candidates who hold a MSc degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, Environmental Sciences, Climate Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Policy, or a closely related field (ECTS 120‑90). We encourage applications from enthusiastic and dedicated individuals with very good oral and written English and German communication skills. Previous experience in conducting stakeholder interviews and focus‑group discussions is of advantage. Previous experience with R or similar programming language is desired. You are motivated to work in an interdisciplinary and international working environment, have a collaborative mindset, and enjoy interacting with diverse stakeholders. The envisioned starting date is 1.1.2027.

We Offer

• An international, interdisciplinary and dynamic academic environment. The project will be supported by international collaboration, with the potential to create opportunities for further cooperation.
• Enrolment in the OCCR and the Graduate School of Climate Sciences of the University of Bern.
• Support for career development and training, including access to courses of the Public Health Science Course Program of the University of Bern.
• Salary according to the pay scales of the University of Bern.

Your Benefits

• Collaborative environment and ambitious team
• Team‑oriented work
• Meaningful work and fair compensation
• Future‑oriented career prospects