Vacancies

Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine
The University of Lucerne is a modern, personal and dynamic human sciences university at the heart of Switzerland and Europe. In keeping with our guiding principle 'Moving Human Sciences', we focus on people and their institutions with our six faculties, two academies and two university research centres. Our aim is to develop the University of Lucerne into a pioneering, internationally visible centre for research and teaching in the human sciences.

The Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine promotes research and teaching in the fields of health, medicine, functional capacity and rehabilitation. Our mission is to improve health and well-being for all by creating a diverse, inclusive environment for innovative research, education and services.
As of 1 February 2025 or by agreement, we are looking for a

PhD student in Health Sciences (100%)
(Project: “e-QuoL: e-health tools to promote Equality in Quality of Life for childhood to young adulthood cancer patients, survivors and their families")

Cancer affects 35,000 children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA) in Europe each year, with >80% being cured and becoming long-term survivors. Due to cancer and its treatment, they are at risk for late effects and should regularly attend clinical follow-up care. There are several challenges providing follow-up care for CAYA cancer survivors and their families: i) it is resource-demanding in an overburdened healthcare system, ii) psychosocial and supportive care needs are often unmet, and iii) access is unequal between European countries.

In this project, funded by the EU Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), we aim to use e-health tools to promote equity in quality of life for CAYA cancer survivors and their families. At the University of Lucerne, we will identify the unmet needs of CAYAC families and survivors across Europe, and develop and implement content and structure of a web-based information tool for these families.

Responsibilites

  • Do qualitative focus groups with parents of CAYA cancer survivors on psychosocial needs
  • Analyse data and write up results on psychosocial needs among survivors and their loved ones (quantitative data collection has been completed)
  • Develop content for web-based information tool
  • Write reports and scientific manuscripts. At least three first author papers are required for PhD students
  • Present results at national and international conferences
  • Supervise student assistants helping in the project
  • As a member of the research group, the PhD student will also help with writing newsletters or grant applications, and as teaching assistant

Requirements

  • MSc or equivalent degree in health sciences, psychology, or similar discipline
  • An interest in applied international research in the areas of psycho-oncology, childhood cancer, epidemiology, and public health
  • Previous experience in designing health-related informational materials is beneficial
  • Sound computing skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access)
  • Knowledge of statistical software (ideally Stata or R) and experience with a variety of standard (and ideally advanced) statistical methods
  • (Ideally) knowledge and experience with qualitative research methods
  • Languages: excellent knowledge of English
  • Structured, independent and accurate way of working

A Post-doc researcher working in this project is supporting the PhD student throughout the PhD.

What we offer

  • A 3-year appointment as PhD student
  • PhD training will be organized by the PhD programme in Health Sciences at the University of Lucerne
  • Salary according to Swiss National Science Foundation
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Gisela Michel, gisela.michel@unilu.ch, or Dr. Katharina Roser, katharina.roser@unilu.ch.
Please submit your application (including motivation letter, CV, diplomas and work certificates) by December 15, 2024 via application button below
Apply now