Schweiz: PhD (80%)

Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine in collaboration with Stiftung Gesundheitskompass, University of Lausanne and ZHAW Winterthur

PhD Position in the Biomedical Ethics and Law program, Medical Faculty, UZH (SHARED-VSC project) 80 %

Start of employment 01.05.2025, temporary

The Institute of Biomedical Ethics and History of Medicine belongs to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zurich, and hosts the medical track of the PhD program Biomedical Ethics and Law, a joint venture of the UZH Medical Faculty and the Faculty of Law. Since 2009, the IBME has been a WHO Collaborating Centre for Bioethics, providing ethical advice on a range of issues related to global health.
The advertised PhD position will be part of the project SHARED-VSC: Support and Guidance for Health Care Access with Resources for Empowerment and Sharded Decision Making in Variations of Sex Characteristics (VSC)/intersex, which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The Stiftung Gesundheitskompass, which plays a central role in the project’s architecture, is a Swiss non-profit organization that provides ethical case management and interprofessional support for individuals with complex health issues, promoting sustainable, patient-centered healthcare solutions.
The position offers funding for 3 years (36 months) at 80% employment. The PhD will be supervised by PD Dr. Jürg Streuli and Dr. Cynthia Kraus.

Your responsibilities

We are seeking a PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team to co-create shared decision-making (SDM) tools and decision-aid resources to support individuals with VSC and their families throughout the life course. This includes the design of innovative digital tools for a “Decision-Aid Library” and developing a training program for “healthcare coaches” who will guide patients and families in their care decisions.
The PhD candidate will use mixed methods, including Delphi surveys and participatory design approaches, to ensure that materials and training reflect the needs and values of the affected communities.

Your key tasks:

  • Coordinate Delphi surveys with experts and stakeholders to identify best practices for SDM.
  • Develop and evaluate decision-aid prototypes in collaboration with users and healthcare professionals.
  • Analyze data using thematic approaches and compile insights into accessible digital formats.
  • Document and present research findings (in English).
  • Collaborate with healthcare professionals, support organizations, and the project’s interdisciplinary advisory board.
  • Assist in creating and implementing training modules for SDM coaches in healthcare settings.
  • Contribute to the creation of a virtual living library composed of real-life narratives.

Your profile

We are looking for a candidate with a strong understanding of individual, ethical and social dimensions of individuals with VSC, who intends to further qualify themselves through a doctorate in Medical Sciences (PhD/Dr. sc. med).
We seek the following qualifications from our candidates:

  • A Master’s degree in bioethics, philosophy, public health, social sciences, nursing sciences, medicine or another relevant field.
  • Strong academic performance
  • Experience with qualitative research methods
  • Proficiency in German and/or French (Italian is a plus)
  • Excellent language skills in English (written and spoken).
  • Willingness to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team and contribute to an empirical research project.
  • A high level of commitment intrinsic motivation, and enthusiasm
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to also work independently and in a team.

Information on your application

Starting date of employment is 01.05.2025. Please submit your application by 01.04.2025. Interviews with promising applicants will be held (in-person or online) in April 2025.

Applications have to be in English, in a SINGLE PDF file (file name: last name, first name):
1. Motivation letter
2. Detailed CV
3. Contact information of (at least) two (academic) referees
4. PDF of the master thesis