PhD Position in Evidence Synthesis of Human and Animal Studies

University of Bern Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine

PhD in Evidence Synthesis of Human and Animal Studies

Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Switzerland

Duration: 3 years

Start date: Negotiable, but as soon as possible

We are seeking an outstanding researcher to join our international, interdisciplinary project GALENOS (www.galenos.org.uk), the Global Alliance for Living Evidence on Anxiety, Depression and Psychosis, which aims to improve early scientific discovery by integrating evidence from human and animal studies. GALENOS is funded by the Wellcome Trust.

The successful candidate will mainly work on methodology for systematic reviews from human and animal studies in mental health to prioritise research and guide discovery of new therapeutic targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Advance the methodology of systematic reviews of human and animal studies.
• Assess risk of bias in animal studies, including evaluating reporting practices and their association with study outcomes.
• Assess risk of bias in human studies of non-standard designs (e.g. mediation studies, negative control studies, etc.).
• Work on methodology of triangulating evidence from human and animal studies.
• Collaborate with statisticians, systematic review methodologists, laboratory researchers, and experts with lived experience.
• Prepare high-quality publications, contribute to methodological tutorials, and present findings at international conferences.

Candidate Profile

• MSc (completed or near completion) in epidemiology, biomedical sciences, biology, neurosciences, psychology, veterinary or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Previous experience with preclinical/animal studies is an asset.
• Strong understanding of bias assessment frameworks (e.g., risk of bias tools, reporting bias, indirectness).
• Very good skills in statistical analysis (e.g., R, Stata, or equivalent).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, international team.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge methodological research at the interface of human and animal health.
• A dynamic, collaborative, and supportive working environment.
• Mentorship and career development opportunities.
• Competitive salary and benefits according to institutional guidelines.

Application

Please send the following documents as a single PDF file to Natalie Studer, hr@ispm.unibe.ch:

• A cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant experience.
• A curriculum vitae (CV), including a list of publications.
• The contact details of one academic referee.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For inquiries, please contact: Prof. Georgia Salanti at georgia.salanti@unibe.ch.

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