The Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) at University of Bern performs research
in a range of disciplines relevant to public health (www.ispm.ch). Groups cut across divisions,
facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to research in the fields of clinical epidemiology, social
and behavio ral health, biostatistics, and international and environmental health.
The Paediat ric Epidemiology Research Group, led by Prof Claudia Kuehni conducts population-
based and clinical studies in child health, focusing on respiratory disorders, rare diseases and
cancer.
We are looking for a highly motivated
The PhD project will be part of the largest multi-national research project on the epidemiology and
management of upper airway disease in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). PCD is a rare genetic
disease, with a prevalence of about 1 in 10,000 that affects multiple organ systems. Almost all patients
have problems from the upper airways (Ear Nose Throat: ENT) e.g. recurrent episodes of otitis, chronic
rhinosinusitis, and hearing impairment. These problems affect severely their everyday life; however
most studies focus on improving diagnosis and understanding lung disease. Data on the prevalence
and severity of ENT problems, their evolution with age and the factors that influence disease
prognosis, is scarce and based on small single-centre studies. Most importantly there is no evidence-
based recommendation for their management.
In your PhD ,you will participate in setting-up and analyse data from the first multinational,
prospective cohort of PCD patients focusing on ENT problems .In this large collaborative project, we
will collect clinical and patient-reported information on this topic, using standardised and validated
instruments to acquire high-quality longitudinal data**.You will also participate in a multinational**
randomised clinical trial ,that aims to bring first evidence for the management of chronic rhinosinusitis
in PCD; one of the first trials in PCD patients and the first on ENT problems. You will have an active
role in managing these studies under the direct supervision of a motivated early career project P.I.,
in collaboration with a large multi-national multidisciplinary team of PCD experts, both clinicians and
researchers. You will gain a broad understanding of epidemiological and statistical methods in
observational and interventional studies, build-up a large professional network, present your results in
international conferences, and publish them in peer-reviewed journals.
The job will prepare you for a research career in a scientific setting (University), a clinical setting (as
apaediatrician, a pulmonologist or an ENT physician), or a public health institution ,and counts as
medical training in Paediatrics or Public Health. Teaching is organised via the graduate schools of the
University of Bern (www.gcb.unibe.ch and www.ghs.unibe.ch).
Applicants should have a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in medicine or applied science
(biology, statistics, public health, etc.) and astrong interest in clinical research and epidemiology .You
should be keen to learn statistical methods and software. The position requires fluency in both English
and German .Previous clinical experience (e.g. paediatrics, pulmonology, and otolaryngology) is an
advantage and French is an asset. The position is available from November 2019 (later dates can be
negotiated). PhD salary rates of the Swiss National Science Foundation apply. If you look for an exciting
PhD position in a highly motivated team, please send your CV with motivation letter to Dr. Myrofora
Goutaki (myrofora.goutaki@ispm.unibe.ch). For further information please contact us by e-mail.
Please send you application as soon as possible, ideally by September 20th, 2019.