Doctoral Candidate (Dr. med. vet.)
myScience
Bern
Key information
- Publication date:07 November 2025
- Workload:100%
- Place of work:Bern
Doctoral Candidate (Dr. med. vet.)
Workplace Bern - Bern region - SwitzerlandCategoryPositionPublished6 November 2025Doctoral Candidate (Dr. med. vet.)
100 %
Division of Neurological Sciences, DCR-VPH, Vetsuisse Faculty
Start of employment: 01.01.2026 or by arrangement The position is limited to 2 years
The clinical neurovirology working group in the Department of Neurological Sciences combines diagnostic and research-oriented approaches to investigate viral pathogens in animals with encephalitis. Using modern sequencing techniques and molecular detection methods, unknown or unexpected viral pathogens can be identified and associated with neurological diseases. Additionally, we perform the National Reference Laboratory function for the investigation of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and Scrapie in small ruminants.
TasksWithin the framework of a two-year Dr. med. vet. dissertation, a research project will be conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Veterinary Pathology Zurich and the Institute of Animal Pathology Bern to investigate encephalitis of unknown viral origin in pigs using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Additionally, brain sections from pigs with encephalitis will be examined for novel neurotropic viruses, such as Porcine Astrovirus 3 (PoAstV3) and Porcine Bastrovirus (PoBastV), using in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
The doctoral position includes independent research work as well as routine diagnostic activities for BSE surveillance in the reference laboratory.
Requirements
- Degree in veterinary medicine
- Laboratory experience advantageous (biomedical research / pathology)
- Interest in modern research techniques and bioinformatics
- Good German and English skills
- Motivation, independence after introduction
We offer
- Excellent conditions for writing a dissertation
- Participation in scientific conferences
- Insight into reference laboratory activities
- Attractive employment conditions according to the personnel regulations of the Canton of Bern
- Collaboration with international research teams
Application and contact
For further information about the position, please contact Dr. med. vet. Kara Dawson, kara.dawson@unibe.ch .
Please send your application documents (cover letter, CV, certificates and diplomas) by 01.12.2025 in a single PDF file to: kara.dawson@unibe.ch .
In your application, please refer to myScience.ch and referenceJobID68687.
