PhD student in Forensic Toxicology<br/>January 2026

About the job

Alcohol consumption markers such as phosphatidylethanol, ethyl glucuronide, and ethyl sulfate have been researched for several years and in various collaborative projects in the Department of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry (FTC) under the direction of Prof. Weinmann.
Basic research is to be conducted within the framework of a dissertation for the new potential alcohol marker EtoChoP (ethylated phosphorylcholine), e.g., on its formation, detection in body fluids and hair, stability, elimination, specificity, and selectivity.

• Use of mass spectrometric methods (LC-MS/MS, QToF-MS/MS) for the new potential alcohol biomarker EtoChoP (ethylated phosphorylcholine)
• Development and validation of detection methods with LC-MS/MS
• Determination of EtoChoP with LC-MS/MS in sample material from drinking trials and from alcohol withdrawal/detoxification therapies
• Investigation of the enzymatic formation of EtoChoP by lipases
• Preparation of a (cumulative) dissertation
• Publications and presentations (at national and international conferences)

• Completed master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy, or equivalent
• Interest in collaboration with medical departments (e.g., Inselspital)
• Supervision of two to three master's students in own research area
• Participation in projects of the working group related to forensic toxicology
• Good English skills for writing scientific publications and presentations
• Willingness to contribute to forensic-toxicological routine activities and, if necessary, report preparation (max. 10% of the activity)

• PhD within the framework of the Graduate School of Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (3 years)
• Further training (core competencies and toxicology)
• Integration into a dynamic team with workplace in the new laboratory building

Please send your application documents with the usual documents electronically to mail.personal@irm.unibe.ch.