PhD Candidate - Perinatal Mental Health and Nutrition

1w1 week ago

Etat de Fribourg - Staat Freiburg

Fribourg, CH · Full-time · CHF 47,000 – CHF 52,000

About this role

This PhD project is embedded within the research activities of the University of Fribourg and linked to the Food Research & Innovation Center FRIC. The University attracts students and researchers from across Switzerland and the world. It offers a highly formative position in a dynamic interdisciplinary research environment.

The PhD candidate will develop an original research project on relationships between parental and child mental health and nutrition. Responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, launching a national cohort in Switzerland, and managing data analysis. Advanced statistical methods and scientific writing are central to daily tasks.

Work under close supervision in excellent research infrastructure with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. Contribute to the research group's academic activities like seminars and teaching. Participate actively in the scientific life of the center.

Develop advanced skills in research design, data analysis, scientific writing, and dissemination. Present findings at national and international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. The doctoral contract is fixed-term for 3 to 4 years per University regulations.

Requirements

Fluency in English and a second Swiss language (French, German or Italian)
University Master’s degree, ideally in nutrition; psychology master’s encouraged
Strong interest in clinical research in health psychology, nutrition, or child development
Advanced data analysis skills with proficiency in R; longitudinal datasets experience an asset
Advanced scientific writing skills in English
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research team
High motivation, interpersonal skills, scientific rigor, critical thinking, and reliability
Prior research experience such as publications or conference presentations an advantage

Responsibilities

Develop and conduct an original doctoral research project focusing on the relationships between parental and child mental health and nutrition
Conduct systematic and critical literature reviews in the fields of psychology, nutrition, and public health
Launch and manage a national cohort in Switzerland and actively recruit participants
Manage databases and analyze data using advanced statistical methods
Write scientific articles for publication in international peer-reviewed journals
Present research findings at national and international scientific conferences
Contribute to academic activities of the research group including seminars, teaching, and supervision of students
Actively participate in the scientific life of the research center and interdisciplinary collaborations