(MD-)PhD in Clinical Epidemiology: Management of HIV in Southern Africa 100%%
Clinical Epidemiology
The Division of Clinical Epidemiology:
The Division of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel generates evidence for decision-making in health care and health service planning and promotes the application of research findings in clinical care and global public health. Besides research in Switzerland, it has long-term international research collaborations including with partners in southern Africa. The Clinical Research Global Health (CRGH) group, headed by Professor Niklaus Labhardt, invites applications for a PhD position starting in January 2026 or shortly thereafter.
The position:
HIV is highly manageable with appropriate antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, a small proportion of people with HIV receiving ART have ongoing viraemia, i.e., do not achieve full viral suppression.
In this PhD project, you will conduct research on the clinical management of HIV viraemia in Lesotho, southern Africa. The position includes planning and implementing a randomised controlled trial (RCT) alongside quantitative analyses and project management. You will collaborate with researchers, clinicians, and diagnostic laboratory partners, and contribute to supervising the study team. The role includes multi-month research stays in Lesotho.
01.01.2026
3 Years
Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel
Those working at the University Hospital of Basel enjoy attractive working conditions and many benefits.
Your benefits at the USB
- Attractive salary policy and exceptional social benefits
- Discounts for shopping, sport and recreation
- 25 vacation days, plus 5 flexible free days
- Support in further training and education, plus career planning
- Campus in the heart of Basel and the tri-border region
- Comprehensive childcare options
- Free-of-charge sport and fitness program
What you will be doing
- Planning and implementation of an RCT
- Data management and quantitative analysis
- Project management and contribution to broader research activities
- Presentation and publication of results at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed journals
- Collaboration within international, interdisciplinary teams
- Contribution to the teaching and mentoring activities of the Division of Clinical Epidemiology
Your profile
- Master's degree in Medicine, Biology, Pharmacy, or a closely related field
- Applicants without an MSc in a biomedical discipline should provide evidence of knowledge in HIV epidemiology and treatment
- Willingness to undertake multi-month research stays in Lesotho
- Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English
- Strong motivation and aptitude for quantitative analyses; prior experience with statistical software (e.g., R, Stata) is an asset
- Strong communication and organizational skills, with a high level of initiative to manage international projects
- Ability to work independently as well as part of an international, interdisciplinary research team; prior experience in clinical research, wet lab diagnostics or research, or global health is an asset
Benefits of this position
- Fully funded 3-year PhD position in Clinical Research at the University of Basel, Switzerland
- Participation in a structured PhD program
- Supportive and collaborative international research environment
- Excellent opportunities for academic development in Clinical Epidemiology
- Work experience in both Switzerland and Lesotho
- Opportunities for international collaboration, conference presentations, and scientific publications
Place of work
At the USB, we work together on quality projects and research projects in nursing and medical fields. Our goal is to always offer patients the best treatment and care available and to improve patient safety.
Angelika Lehmann
Ward Manager Intensive Care
Ward Manager Intensive Care
The USB is a fantastic employer, not least due to the many benefits offered to the staff. These include the wide range of sports on offer, the canteen and also the salary. All this and more make the USB an employee-friendly place to work.
Christian Emsden
Nursing Expert Intensive Care Ward
Nursing Expert Intensive Care Ward
I made a conscious decision to work at a university hospital as you are confronted with serious and complicated illnesses here. In smaller hospitals, patients with serious illnesses are often transferred elsewhere for treatment. At the USB, we can treat virtually everything.
Nicole Roth
Intensive Care Specialist
Intensive Care Specialist
Maternity leave and part-time work are always a real possibility. This is not always the case, particularly in surgical fields. In our team, there are no hurdles that have to be overcome. Our boss is very keen on recruiting more women in the team – on all levels, including in management positions.
Dr. Antje Feicke
Physician in Urology
Physician in Urology
What is important here is that all members of staff have interesting perspectives for the future, regardless of their working hours. I try to be a role model here every single day, as do my managers. The reconciliation of work and family is very enriching.
Britta Lünenborg
Ward Manager Internal Medicine
Ward Manager Internal Medicine
We have a fantastic working atmosphere, and I am surrounded by motivated, good-humored colleagues. We always have something to laugh about.
Jasmine Joseph
Controller
Controller
There are a range of fantastic research opportunities on offer in and around the USB and School of Medicine – I can follow my interests at a very high level here.
Prof. mult. Florian M. Thieringer
MHBA, Chief Physician / Co-Head 3D Print Lab
MHBA, Chief Physician / Co-Head 3D Print Lab
We have our finger on the pulse when it comes to technical innovation. We work with state-of-the-art equipment and are constantly putting new systems through their paces – I find this fascinating.
Aurore Jordan
Radiology Specialist (MTRA) in Interventional Radiology
Radiology Specialist (MTRA) in Interventional Radiology
The interdisciplinary way we work together – including between the individual clinics – is extraordinary. You don’t see this in many places.
PD Dr. med. Dr. habil. Elisabeth Artemis Kappos
Physician in Plastic, Reconstructive, Cosmetic and Hand Surgery, member of the Tumor Center
Physician in Plastic, Reconstructive, Cosmetic and Hand Surgery, member of the Tumor Center
I’m proud to work at the USB. During my time here, I have experienced some fantastic support – including financial assistance. Without this, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my chosen career. I am very grateful for this.
Thomas Dreher-Hummel
APN (Advanced Practice Nurse)
APN (Advanced Practice Nurse)
Our application process
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Submit your documents
Firstly, upload your application with all documents online via our jobs portal. You will then receive confirmation by e-mail – we will then examine your application as quickly as possible. -
Invitation to first interview
If you meet the job criteria, we will invite you for an initial interview (either in person or online) – this takes between 45 and 60 minutes. -
Follow-up interview
If the first interview goes well, we then want to get to know you better. In the follow-up interview, you will be given more detailed information on the vacant position and the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. The rest of the follow-up interview depends on the position being advertised. -
The decision
After the follow-up interview, we will let you know our decision as quickly as possible. If both parties are in agreement and are eager to work together, you will then receive your employment contract.
- Maybe you weren’t successful this time, but your profile is still of interest to us: We would be happy to add you to our talent pool, and will contact you as soon as a suitable position becomes available.
- Are you familiar with our social media channels? Here you can find out more about everyday work at the USB, allowing you to prepare even better for your interview.
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We are also pleased to receive applications from abroad. Of course, good German skills are essential. You can find more information here.Bewerben aus dem Ausland
About the USB
There are many reasons to come work for us: Working at the USB primarily means being part of a dedicated team of over 7500 employees from around 90 nations. Our lively day-to-day lives are characterized by forward-looking research, cutting-edge medicine and the transfer of knowledge at the highest level. In addition, there is a modern organizational culture, interdisciplinarity, inspiring innovation and a wide range of training and professional development opportunities.
Do you want shape the hospital of the future together with us? Then join us! #TeamUSB
Do you want shape the hospital of the future together with us? Then join us! #TeamUSB
