PhD Position in the Field of Youth Mental Health (100%)

PhD Position in the Field of Youth Mental Health (100%)

Start date 01.08.2026 or by arrangement

The Faculty of Psychology is one of the seven faculties of the oldest university in Switzerland. With our focuses on Society & Choice and Health & Interventions, we are nationally and internationally successful in research and teaching.

In the Department of Youth Mental Health, we investigate the emergence and development of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence from a developmental psychopathology perspective. A central research focus of the department is irritability as a transdiagnostic symptom of emotional dysregulation. To study this, we use a broad range of methods, including clinical diagnostics, electronic daily assessments of mood, behavior, and psychophysiology, as well as experimental laboratory studies. We work interdisciplinarily, cooperate closely with healthcare professionals, and follow a participatory approach that includes the perspectives of young people. This PhD position is dedicated to researching developmental trajectories and daily dynamics of irritability in childhood using (intensive) longitudinal data and their significance for the development of later mental symptoms.

Your Tasks

• Conceptualization, implementation, and execution of research projects
• Project coordination and recruitment of study participants
• Data preparation and statistical analyses
• Presentation of scientific results in internal meetings, at national and international conferences
• Writing scientific publications
• Supervision of bachelor and master theses, conducting courses
• Participation in organizational tasks within the department

Your Profile

• Excellent master’s degree in psychology, ideally with a focus on clinical psychology
• Strong research interest in clinical child and adolescent psychology
• Very good methodological and statistical skills, ideally with intensive longitudinal data
• Enjoyment in communicating with children, adolescents, and their caregivers
• Teamwork skills, high initiative, independent work organization, reliable and careful working style, high level of commitment and resilience
• Very good oral and written German and English skills

We Offer You

• Varied and challenging work in a dynamic and committed team with national and international networking
• Acquisition of important skills in clinical research, research methodology, application of specific statistical methods, gaining first leadership experience
• Close involvement in the department’s research projects and collaborations as well as intensive supervision
• Participation in the faculty-internal doctoral program "Health & Interventions"
• Remuneration according to university guidelines (the position is initially limited to one year with the option of extension for two to three years).