PhD Candidate 100%
Universität Bern
Bern
Key information
- Publication date:21 January 2026
- Workload:100%
- Place of work:Bern
Job summary
Join the Clinical Psychology Department focused on child and youth mental health. This role offers a collaborative and research-driven environment with great benefits.
Tasks
- Support project coordination alongside fellow PhD candidates.
- Conduct participant recruitment and data collection for studies.
- Analyze data and publish results in international journals.
Skills
- Master's degree in Psychology or related field required.
- Strong interest in clinical psychology and digital interventions.
- Ability to work in a team with strong organizational skills.
Is this helpful?
from 1.6.2026 or by arrangement
The Department of Clinical Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence (Head: Prof. Dr. phil. Stefanie Schmidt; www.kpkj.psy.unibe.ch ) deals with the development and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents. A special focus is on a better understanding of the clinical presentation and treatment options of mental problems across the lifespan. The advertised doctoral position is part of a project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), carried out in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Thomas Berger (University of Bern), Dr. Matthias Domhardt (University of Ulm), and Prof. Dr. Harald Baumeister (University of Ulm). The research project entitled "Digital single-session intervention for social anxiety across the lifespan – SEAL" aims to conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness as well as possible mediators and moderators of a digital "Single-Session Intervention" for adolescents and adults with social anxiety compared to a digital "Multi-Session Intervention" and standard treatment. A total of 420 adolescents and adults with a diagnosed social anxiety disorder are to be recruited. This doctoral position is particularly intended to investigate possible age effects.
Tasks
You will support the entire project coordination together with two other doctoral candidates and write your cumulative dissertation. This includes preparatory project activities (e.g., development of the intervention, ethics application, online data collection), recruitment of study participants, data collection (e.g., diagnostic interviews), data analysis, publication of study results in international journals, and presentation at national and international conferences. In addition, you will support the Department of Clinical Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence in teaching and administration.
Requirements
- You have an excellent master's degree in psychology or a related discipline (or are about to complete it).
- You have a strong research interest, especially in topics of clinical psychology of childhood and adolescence and digital interventions.
- You are characterized by teamwork skills, careful working methods, personal responsibility, flexibility, and a high level of commitment and resilience.
We offer
- A varied and challenging activity in a dynamic and committed team with very good national and international networking.
- The opportunity to write a dissertation in a future-oriented and application-related research field of clinical psychology of childhood and adolescence as well as digital interventions.
- Close involvement in ongoing research projects and collaborations as well as intensive supervision.
- Employment conditions and remuneration according to SNSF guidelines and the regulations of the canton or the University of Bern.
Application and Contact
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. phil. Stefanie Schmidt (stefanie.schmidt@unibe.ch).
We look forward to receiving your application documents (motivation letter outlining your research interests, CV, certificates, 2-3 references, and a sample of an academic work, e.g., bachelor’s or master’s thesis). Please send these in a single PDF file by 20.02.2026 to maja.ueltschi@unibe.ch.
