PhD Position in Nursing

Institute: Implementation Science in Health Care, University of Zurich & University Hospital Zurich
Start Date: 1 September 2026 (or by agreement)
Duration: 3.5 years, temporary

About the Group

The Implementation Science in Nursing Group operates within the Medical Faculty’s Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care and the University Hospital Zurich's Center of Clinical Nursing Science. Our research focuses on family health interventions and innovative nurse-led models of care, primarily in acute-critical settings, with dual emphasis on intervention and implementation science.

This PhD position is embedded in the SNSF-funded FICUScale implementation-effectiveness trial, which investigates the national scale-up of an evidence-informed, family-focused model of care in intensive care units (FICUS).

Responsibilities

The PhD student will be involved in the third work package of the FICUScale study, including:

• Supporting preparation of the hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial, including data capture systems and training of local research teams

• Recruiting family members and collecting data via structured surveys

• Contributing to data management, cleaning, and validation

• Coordinating and conducting qualitative data collection with critical care clinicians, including data analysis

• Collaborating with and supporting local research teams during the trial

• Supporting trial data analysis

Candidate Profile

• Master of Science in Nursing or related field

• Strong interest in family-focused health care and implementation science methodology

• Prior research experience in clinical settings; knowledge of intervention or implementation research is an asset

• Willingness to work closely with patients, families, clinicians, and researchers across Switzerland

• Excellent written and spoken English; good command of German, French, or Italian

• Strong interpersonal skills, independent working capability, and teamwork ability

• Capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration and project management

Application Information

• Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the PhD program in Care and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Zurich

• Office address (from spring 2026): Plattenstrasse 10, 8032 Zurich

• Application deadline: 10 January 2026

• Application materials: single PDF including:

  • Cover letter outlining motivation

  • Curriculum vitae

  • Publication record

  • Certificates

Submit applications via the UZH job portal.

What We Offer

Work-Life Balance

• Flexible working models (part-time, mobile working, job-sharing)

• Childcare at the kihz foundation (UZH and ETH)

Learning and Development

• Continuing education courses at UZH and Canton of Zurich

• Language Center jointly with ETH Zurich

Food & Healthcare

• Reduced-price meals and drinks in UZH cafeterias

• Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

• Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ

• Free seasonal flu vaccinations

• Rest and relaxation facilities

Discounts & Support

• Carsharing, vehicle rental, parking

• Digitalization hardware, software, mobile subscriptions

• Hotel reservation benefits

• International services support for staff from outside Switzerland

Employment Conditions

• Governed by UZH public law policies

Location

Implementation Science in Health Care
Universitätstrasse 84, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland

Contact

Rahel Naef, Professor
Tel: +41 44 634 37 49

The University of Zurich is Switzerland’s largest university, offering a stimulating environment for cutting-edge research and top-class education.