PhD Candidate Virtue Bern (m/f/d) 100%
Universität Bern
Bern
Key information
- Publication date:21 October 2025
- Workload:100%
- Place of work:Bern
Job summary
Join the Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, a leader in innovative research and treatment! This opportunity offers a dynamic work environment with supportive benefits.
Tasks
- Support project management of scientific studies.
- Recruit study participants for clinical trials.
- Prepare and analyze data for research publications.
Skills
- Master's degree in psychology required; interest in psychotherapy research.
- Strong statistical skills in R, Stata, Unity, C#, and Python.
- Experience with VR environments and qualitative methods.
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University Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Start of employment: from January 1, 2026 or by arrangement
The University Psychiatric Services (UPD) Bern conduct dedicated research focused on innovative treatment approaches and early detection of mental disorders in children, adolescents, and young adults. Within the framework of the project VIRTUE-Bern – Virtual Reality Intervention for Transdiagnostic Use of Defusion Exercises, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), a novel immersive therapy is being developed and evaluated. The goal is to convey cognitive defusion – a central element of acceptance and commitment therapy – in a motivating and effective way using virtual reality.
The project combines clinical psychology, psychotherapy research, virtual reality, and participatory methods (co-design) and investigates the effectiveness of the approach in a randomized clinical trial. In addition to quantitative data, patient experiences are also considered through ecological momentary assessments (EMA) and qualitative interviews.
To support the project team, we are looking for a PhD candidate interested in clinically oriented research in the field of digital interventions and early psychotherapeutic treatment. The advertised position offers the opportunity to actively participate in the development, implementation, and scientific evaluation of VIRTUE-Bern. We offer comprehensive supervision in a committed, interdisciplinary team as well as diverse training and development opportunities. Remuneration is according to SNSF guidelines.
Your tasks
- You will assist in the project management of scientific studies
- You will recruit study participants
- You will conduct data collection
- You will prepare and analyze data
- You will co-author scientific publications with the goal of obtaining a PhD
- You will present scientific results at national and international conferences
Your profile
- You have a Master’s degree in Psychology
- You are interested in psychotherapy research and virtual reality
- You have very good knowledge of statistical procedures (e.g., R, Stata, Unity, C#, and Python) and methods (e.g., multilevel modeling, mixed-effects models)
- Experience working with VR environments as well as qualitative methods
- You bring a high motivation to learn new research methods
- You demonstrate high initiative, work reliably and carefully
- You enjoy both independent work and collaboration in an interdisciplinary team as well as with patients and their parents
- You have very good German and English skills
What you can look forward to
Your contacts
Dr. phil. Chantal Michel, Lead Psychologist, will answer your subject-specific questions:
T: +41 58 630 61 29
For questions about the application process, please contact
Nicole Portner, HR Administrator
Email: bewerbungen@upd.ch
T: +41 58 630 96 71
We look forward to receiving your complete online application (mandatory) via the "Apply Now" button. Applications sent by post will not be considered and will not be returned to applicants for administrative reasons. Documents will be destroyed by UPD AG after completion of the process in compliance with data protection regulations.
