PhD Student position in Climate Epidemiology
100 %
A fully funded PhD position (3.5 years) is available for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate to work in the Climate Epidemiology and Public Health research group at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) and the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR) of the University of Bern (UniBe) in Bern, Switzerland.
Project overview:
The PhD student will conduct interdisciplinary and innovative research on the effects of droughts on human health, within the framework of the IGIA-SETH project (“unravelInG the ImpActs of droughtS on human hEalTH”), funded by the SNSF Ambizione program 2023. The aim of the PhD project is to advance knowledge of the role of droughts in the public health field and identify vulnerability patterns at global, regional and local scales, using new data sources and state-of-the-art methods in climate epidemiology. The PhD project will lay the foundation for groundbreaking research, providing valuable evidence to reduce the health burden and inequalities related to the effects of climate change.
Supervision and Research Environment:
The PhD project will be developed under the supervision of the senior researcher assistant and PI of the SNSf Ambizione Coral Salvador, and Prof. Ana M. Vicedo-Cabrera. The PhD candidate is expected to develop and apply advanced methodologies by combining methods in climate modelling, epidemiology, and other relevant fields to assess the effects of droughts across various geographical scales. This PhD project will complement the work of the Climate Epidemiology and Public Health team by addressing a relevant and neglected topic in climate epidemiology.
Position details:
Period: Fixed-term contract for 3 and a half years, starting January 2026.
Salary: Swiss NSF PhD Fellowship (CHF 48,821.50 to 51,964.90, 100%).
Place: Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
Apply no later than: 22nd September 2025
About the institution:
The Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) of Bern performs research in a range of disciplines relevant to public health. Groups cut across divisions, facilitating an interdisciplinary approach to studying the fields of clinical epidemiology, social and behavioural health, biostatistics, and international and environmental health. The ISPM is highly regarded for its expertise in the health effects of environmental exposures, the spread of infectious diseases, and the health of vulnerable groups, including children and older adults.
The Climate Epidemiology and Public Health research Group, led by Professor Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera, addresses the impacts of climate change on health, with a particular focus on the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies, as well as the quantification of health impacts using novel methods in climate epidemiology. The position offered is part of the IGIA-SETH project, funded by the SNSF Ambizione 2023 call. This project aims to advance knowledge of the global impacts of droughts on human health through a holistic approach by resolving complex research questions to fill existing gaps. The project will utilise new data resources, employ robust and advanced methodologies, and explore vulnerability patterns at various geographical levels worldwide.
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of epidemiologists, statisticians and climate modellers.
- Clean and analyse large observational databases using standard and advanced statistical methods.
- Lead and contribute to the design and conduct of epidemiological research projects.
- Present own work at international conferences and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
- Participate in the activities of the Climate Epidemiology and Public Health team (i.e., team meetings)
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary research in the areas of epidemiology, climate science and impact modelling.
- Motivation to work on topics related to climate change and health.
- Master's degree in a relevant discipline (ECTS 120-90), including climate science, ma- ematics /biostatistics, epidemiology, and public health.
- Experience in statistical analysis and programming techniques in R.
- The ability to work efficiently, independently and with interdisciplinary teams.
- Excellent knowledge of English, written and spoken.
- 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 (https://www.climatestudies.unibe.ch) of the University of Bern. It would provide excellent networking opportunities and the possibility of attending courses.
- Support for career development and training, including the Public Health Science Course Program of the University of Bern (https://www.medizin.unibe.ch/studies/study_programs/phs_course_program/index_eng.html).
- Salary according to the pay scales of the Swiss National Science Foundation for PhD students.
For further information on the position, please do not hesitate to contact Coral Salvador (coral.salvador@unibe.ch).
Applications must be written in English and include the following elements: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae with publication list, career plan (optional), and two letters of support.
