Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is a young and lively university, a hub of opportunity
open to the world where students are offered a quality interdisciplinary education in which
they can be fully engaged and take center stage, and where our researchers can count on
having the space to freely pursue their initiative.
Established in 1996, USI is in constant evolution, always taking on new challenges while
remaining true to its three guiding principles: quality, openness and responsibility.
The Institute for Communication Technologies (ITC) studies the mutual interactions between
information technologies and human communication processes. The position will be situated
in the Institute’s area of research that is dedicated to eLearning, i.e, to the use of Information
and Communication Technologies (ICT) in educational contexts.
The Institute for Communication Technologies invites applications for one fully funded Ph.D.
position in Communication Sciences by candidates interested in conducting research in the
area of eLearning in medicine, with a specific focus on simulations.
The Ph.D. Position
The doctoral student will be enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences. The
doctoral student will work under the direction of Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Cantoni, and under the co-
direction of Prof. Dr. Sissel Guttormsen Schär (Institute of Medical Education, University of
Bern). The doctoral student will collaborate also with the eLab - eLearning Lab of USI, and
with the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences. The successful candidate will be offered the
possibility to work in a dynamic research team and in a multidisciplinary and international
scientific environment.
While the overall area of research will be the use of simulations in medical training, a
detailed research plan will be defined in collaboration with the selected candidate.
Scholarship
This scholarship is for thee years. For the third year of the Ph.D. project, the candidate might
be invited to apply for an annual research period abroad supported by the Swiss National
Science Foundation.
In addition to waived fees for the duration of the three‐years scholarship, the award includes
provision for a student maintenance grant at the yearly rate of about CHF 40.000; annual
renewal is not automatic, but contingent on satisfactory progress. A conference attendance
allowance will also be provided.
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Candidates’ profile
Ideal candidates should satisfy the following requirements:
Admission to the Ph.D. program is highly competitive. Admission decisions are based on the
candidate’s background, interests, attitude and potential for academic achievement.
Successful enrolment in the Ph.D. program and the position as doctoral researcher are not
compatible with a further professional activity.
The successful candidate will work as scientific collaborator at eLab - eLearning Lab USI,
and will have the possibility to interact with an international network of collaborators.
Workplace is USI Università della Svizzera italiana, located in Lugano, Switzerland.
The successful candidate will ideally start his/her collaboration and research activities at USI
in Autumn 2018.
The Application
Applications should contain (1) a letter in which the applicants describe their research
interests and the motivation to apply, (2) a CV, (3) copies of relevant diplomas, certificates
as well as the full transcript of records that prove the candidates’ eligibility for doctoral
studies in Communication Sciences, and (4) the names of two academic references that can
be contacted for further information.
Please send your application or requests for further information to dr. Stefano Tardini
(stefano.tardini@usi.ch) with the subject “Ph.D. eLearning in medicine”.
Applications received before July 15, 2018, will be given priority.
USI strives to be an equal opportunity and family friendly employer and is further responsive
to the needs of dual career couples. We guarantee that the selection process will give equal
opportunities to female and male researchers.
Lugano, June 13, 2018