PhD Position in Psychology

Universität Bern

PhD Position in Psychology
100 %

The Department Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine of the University of Bern is hiring a PhD Student in Health Psychology

The Department of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Bern, headed by Prof. Dr. Jennifer Inauen, focuses on behavior change in the context of health promotion and prevention. The advertised PhD position is part of the interdisciplinary research project "DROPIT" (DepRescribing inapprOpriate Proton Pump InibiTors- the DROPIT trial: a cluster randomized controlled trial in primary care settings) funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The aim of the DROPIT trial, conducted jointly with the BIHAM (Institute of Primary Health Care) of the University, is to investigate the discontinuation of unnecessary medication (deprescribing) while maintaining patient well-being. In the project, a behavior change intervention for primary care physicians and patients is adapted to the Swiss context and evaluated to promote the discontinuation of unnecessary medication. Psychologically, processes and approaches of health behavior change are relevant here (e.g., habits, HAPA model), which represent a research focus of the department.

Tasks
The position is located at the Department of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine at the Institute of Psychology and leads to a PhD. In cooperation with the interdisciplinary DROPIT team, the PhD student focuses on the evaluation of the DROPIT intervention, in particular the process evaluation, which includes the psychological mechanisms of the intervention. In addition, the doctoral candidate will explore his/her own psychological research questions in the context of deprescribing, which will be developed together with the supervisor, Prof. Inauen. The second supervisor will be Prof. Dr. Sven Streit (BIHAM). As part of your cumulative dissertation (scientific publications), you will support the implementation of the DROPIT Trial and present study results at national and international conferences. You will acquire important skills in planning and conducting intervention studies, in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data analysis. In addition, you will have the opportunity for disciplinary and interdisciplinary networking with international cooperation partners in the field of health psychology and health sciences.
Requirements
  • You have a Master's degree in psychology, public health, health sciences or a related discipline.
  • You bring a strong research interest, especially in health psychology topics in the field of health care services (e.g., habits, communication between general practitioners and patients).
  • You have competencies in quantitative-statistical methods and/or qualitative research methods.
  • You are a team player with a self-reliant, precise working style, the ability to organize your work independently, flexibility and a high degree of commitment and resilience.
  • You have very good oral and written English skills. German language skills are an advantage.
We offer
  • Varied and ambitious work in a dynamic and dedicated department and an interdisciplinary project team with a very good national and international network.
  • Opportunity to write a health psychology dissertation in an innovative, socially relevant research area in the field of health care services, acquiring skills in interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Intensive supervision and close collaboration in the research project.
  • Opportunity to supervise bachelor and master's theses, and option to teach courses.
  • Option to work from home (up to 50%)
  • Remuneration according to the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation
 
The position is to be filled as of January 1, 2024 or by agreement. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. phil. Jennifer Inauen (jennifer.inauen@unibe.ch).
We look forward to receiving your application documents (letter of motivation, CV, certificates, 2-3 references and sample of an academic paper, e.g., Master's thesis). Please send the documents in a single PDF file to Jennifer Inauen. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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