PhD Position in the Research Project «FSC Sustain» for the Sustainable Implementation of Family Systems Care 100 %

About the job

PhD position in the research project «FSC Sustain» for the sustainable implementation of family systems care 100 %

Take the opportunity to pursue a doctorate within a large project and comprehensively research the sustainable implementation of family systems care in the German-speaking part of Switzerland for the first time. In the project, you will work closely with another doctoral candidate, an experienced interprofessional research team from ZHAW and the University of Zurich (UZH) / University Hospital Zurich (USZ), as well as with practice partners from various care sectors. Your findings will form the basis for evidence-based recommendations for the dissemination and scaling of family systems care in the Swiss healthcare system.

Department: Health

Start date: From 01.09.2026, limited to 3 years

You will work as a doctoral candidate in the research project «FSC Sustain: Sustained implementation of family systems care in the Swiss healthcare system». The project investigates, using a realist evaluation approach and a mixed-methods multiple-case study design, whether and how family systems care is sustainably implemented in selected Swiss healthcare organisations and how this affects families and nursing professionals. Within this framework, you will take on the following tasks:

• Contributing to a literature review on the sustainability of family systems care
• Assisting in the planning, execution, and coordination of data collection: quantitative and qualitative data collection with key persons, nursing professionals, and families in selected partner organisations from various care sectors.
• Data management, analysis, and integration of research data with a focus on family data using statistical methods and content analysis, as well as contributing to the development of case profiles and cross-case analysis according to the matrixed multiple-case study approach.
• Assisting in the development of the programme theory and context-mechanism-outcome configurations within the realist evaluation approach, including participation in co-design workshops with practice partners.
• Dissemination of project results in scientific journals as well as at national and international conferences.
• Independent planning and implementation of your doctorate within the joint doctoral programme of ZHAW and UZH.
• Participation in teaching

The project offers a wealth of different scientific and methodological approaches that will prepare you excellently for your academic career and professional development.

The remuneration for the PhD position is in accordance with the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

• Successfully completed Master’s degree (MSc) in nursing science, another health profession, or the social and humanities sciences.
• Strong research interest as well as initial practical experience in the application of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Excellent skills in scientific work and writing as well as conceptual thinking.
• Very good language skills in German and English, both spoken and written.
• Strong ability to work independently as well as in a team, with high initiative and motivation.
• Ideally, experience with family systems care in a care sector.

Please submit your application documents by 15.06.2026.

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and more than 11,000 continuing education participants as well as around 3,700 employees, is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.

The Department of Health is the largest and most renowned Swiss education and research centre for nursing, occupational therapy, midwifery, physiotherapy, and health sciences. The position is located in the Research & Development area at the Institute of Nursing. You can expect an innovative working environment, a committed and interprofessional team, and good development prospects.

ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation.

We offer university-appropriate working and employment conditions and actively promote the personnel development of our employees and managers. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the website «Working at ZHAW». Here are the key points:

Prof. Dr. André Fringer

Project Leader

Irina Keiser

Recruiting Manager