PhD Student in Neuropediatrics/ Stroke Science 100 %

University Children's Hospital
Start of employment: from 01.01.2026 or by arrangement.
The position is limited to 3 years
Stroke in children is a rare but very impactful event for the child and family. The causes are diverse and differ from stroke in adults. Nevertheless, therapy decisions today must largely be extrapolated from adult studies due to a lack of pediatric studies. We are conducting an SNF-sponsored international multicenter "investigator initiated treatment trial" in children with a subtype of pediatric stroke – also called the PASTA trial (www.pasta-trial.ch)

Children with acute stroke due to focal arteriopathy of the inflammatory type (FCA-i) are randomized into 2 groups: a treatment group receiving high-dose steroids in the acute phase combined with "standard of care" and a group receiving "standard of care only." The children are followed for one year with clinical-neurological and neuropsychological follow-up examinations as well as magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, telephone interviews for a blinded outcome assessment are conducted by the PASTA core team from Bern. The primary question is whether such high-dose steroid therapy has a positive effect on residual arteriopathy and/or long-term outcomes in children. So far, we have recruited 29 children and hope to complete recruitment by the end of 2027. The study is conducted at various centers in Switzerland, Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Australia. Additional centers will be included. Learn more about the study here: https://www.pasta-trial.ch/

• As a PhD student, you will be actively involved in study coordination (initiating new centers, supporting various local study teams, monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements).
• Your task will be to conduct the various telephone interviews with the patients' parents.
• One month after the last child is enrolled, we will begin data analysis and preparation of publications – you will also collaborate and be able to appear as an author.

• You have an exceptional interest in international cooperation.
• You want to expand your knowledge in the neurological and especially cerebrovascular field.
• You are interested in mastering the requirements of an international treatment study with all regulatory aspects according to "Good Clinical Practice."
• You are well organized and able to plan, skilled in communication, cooperative, and have a high willingness to learn.
• You have very good language skills in German and English as well as French. Additional language skills required for the study are an advantage.

We look forward to receiving your complete online application via the "Apply now" button.