Lausanne: Postdoctoral Researcher (50-100%)

The Institute of Humanities in Medicine (IHM), attached to the Department of Education and Research of the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and to the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne, is looking for a post-doctoral position (50-100%) in medical ethics, attached to the professor of medical ethics Ralf Jox. The position will start on October 1st, 2025 or to be agreed upon.

Mission

This position belongs to a 4-year interdisciplinary research project, funded by the Swiss National Fund (SNF) The ‚Hospital Discharge Letter‘ through the Lens of Cultural Studies: on the Narrativity, History and Ethics of an Unknown Genre of Medical Communication (Project Nr. 10.003.969, 8/2025-72029), Principal Investigators: Prof. Dr. Martina King (Fribourg), Prof. Dr. Ralf Jox (Lausanne), Dr. Felix Rietmann (Lausanne). The ‘discharge letter’ or ‘medical report’ is a standardized expert genre that physicians produce and study every day countless times; it organizes written medical communication worldwide. However, our project is the first one to investigate this genre systematically from the joint perspectives of literary studies, medical history and medical ethics; the project establishes a new research field in the Medical Humanities. https://www.unifr.ch/med/de/research/group/mh/research.html

Main tasks of the position:

  • To analyze historical and contemporary hospital discharge letters from German-speaking hospitals with regard to their ethical dimension
  • To plan, conduct, and analyze a qualitative interview study with clinicians concerning the ethical dimension of hospital discharge letters, with a particular emphasis on the use of generative artificial intelligence / Large Language Models
  • To present and publish research results internationally
  • To take over some coordination activities within the research consortium
  • To participate in and contribute to the academic activities of the IHM, in particular in the field of medical ethics.

Profile

  • University education and Master-level degree in a pertinent discipline (e.g., medicine, nursing, health sciences, philosophy, social sciences)
  • Doctorate in medical ethics/bioethics, applied ethics, philosophy of medicine or another relevant academic discipline (e.g., medicine, social sciences, psychology, law)
  • Professional training and/or work experience in the health care field is a plus
  • Some experience in managing scientific research projects would be an asset
  • Performance demonstrated, for example, by grades, scholarships, awards, publications, or evaluations
  • Intrinsic motivation and academic career plan with the intention of obtaining an academic qualification
  • Communication and relationship skills, ability and willingness to promote interdisciplinary collaboration; openness and flexibility
  • Excellent command of German (C1), ideally also French (B2) and English (B2).

Application

For more information regarding the context and the offer at the institution please visit the official vacancy at: https://recrutement.chuv.ch/vacancy/postdoctoral-researcher-at-50100-in-medical-ethics-307907.html or contact Prof. Ralf J. Jox (ralf.jox(at)chuv.ch).

Applications, written in English, French or German, should include a specific letter of motivation, a concise curriculum vitae, a list of publications with an example of a significant article, and copies of diplomas. They should be sent until July 19, 2025 (23:59 GMT+1) on the dedicated electronic platform exclusively by clicking on the APPLY button at the bottom of the advertisement: https://recrutement.chuv.ch/vacancy/postdoctoral-researcher-at-50100-in-medical-ethics-307907.html

The CHUV applies the highest quality standards in its recruitment processes. In addition, in order to promote the diversity of our employees, we are attentive to different life paths and do our utmost to guarantee equal treatment and avoid any discrimination. We look forward to receiving your application.