Jobs & fellowships

15.09.24

Senior Scientist in Computer Science & Digital Health Trajectories in Chronic Illness (type 2 diabetes)

University of Geneva

Chronic illnesses as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular, diabetes, pulmonary, cancer or neurological diseases have a profound impact on global health, with millions of new cases and a significant number of fatalities reported. Chronic diseases have a multitude of complex causes, with behavioral ones, like sedentarism, malnutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, and poor stress management, contributing up to 60% of the probability of its expression. Also, chronic diseases are now being diagnosed at earlier ages, than centuries ago. There is an urgency to address the challenges posed by chronic illnesses, not only from a healthcare perspective but also in terms of their broader societal and economic implications.

Main Responsibilities Include:

• Managing own research within the QoL Lab scope and the scope of the EU SHIELD projects (including other students, papers, proposals, etc., depending on the level of seniority); note that own research project implies completely managing own real-life settings study (clinical trial) with recruited patients in Geneva (N: at least 400, length: at least 12 months).
• Contributing additional mQoL Living Lab features, including integrating new wearables’ APIs and new machine learning methods (including deep learning) for data analysis and predictive/prescriptive models of behavioral, health and life quality outcomes.
• Executing full lifecycle mQoL Living Lab software development and evaluation in real-life settings with a set of patients in the scope of the EU SHIELD project.
• Note: Clinical knowledge of the domain is NOT required, but it is welcome.

Application Deadline: 15 September 2024

01.10.2024

Three PhDs: Transdisciplinary transformative case studies with a focus on the role of visions and visioning for transformative change

Universität Kassel

At the Kassel Institute for Sustainability - Department of Cultures of Sustainability (Prof. Dr. Andra-Ioana Horcea-Milcu) and in the Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies, the following positions are available as of 01.01.2025: Research Assistants (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed term-position, part-time (currently 30 hours per week) for Transdisciplinary transformative case studies with a focus on the role of visions and visioning for transformative change.

The Kassel Institute for Sustainability is a new interdisciplinary center in the field of sustainability transformation with a unique four-fold focus on nature, technology, culture, and society. The center aims to become a significant player in developing options to inspire and enable social transformations as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through scholarly research, effective networking, and dedicated teaching.

The Faculty of Humanities and Cultural Studies of the University of Kassel is a broad-based, diverse teaching, research, and educational unit that is characterized by a richness of conventional and unconventional topics. It welcomes inter- and transdisciplinarity within its doctoral programs, lectures, research projects, and science-society partnerships.

Tasks:

• Academic collaboration in research and teaching in the field of Cultures of Sustainability
• Independent work on a research topic with a focus on:

1. The role of values in visions and visioning
2. The process of visioning
3. Implementation of transformative methods within the frame of a transdisciplinary transformative case study in a municipality, with a special focus on the role of values as leverage points for sustainability transformation and the inner dimensions of sustainability transformations

The three PhDs focus their case study on one of the following countries:
 

Moldova

Romania

Germany

Application Deadline: 01 October 2024

No deadline mentioned

Group Leader for Transdisciplinary Teaching and Research in Sustainability Sciences

ETH Zurich

The Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab) develops and implements transdisciplinary teaching and research to support the sustainable development of society. Transdisciplinarity for us means to collaborate with multiple disciplines and sectors of society to address societal problems. TdLab is part of the Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS).

Job description

The 80-100% position consists of approx. 50% teaching, 40% research and 10% services. We seek a candidate with expertise in transdisciplinary teaching and research. The candidate’s research topic should fall within the broader field of transformative sustainability research. The specific focus (e.g. climate, land use, justice, conservation, etc.) will depend on the candidate’s profile. You will

• lead the Transdisciplinary Case Study of both MSc degree programmes of agricultural sciences and environmental sciences,
• design and implement transdisciplinary research projects,
• develop your own BSc/MSc course in your specific area of focus,
• supervise Bachelor and Master theses,
• contribute to TdLab’s development jointly with the team.

The position is currently limited to 6 years. Start of employment is in the second quarter of 2025.

Profile

• You are experienced in project-based, interactive, and student-centred teaching and learning.
• You are conceptually strong in transdisciplinary research and experienced in transdisciplinary methods.
• You have a doctorate of sustainability or environmental studies, or related fields.
• You thrive in interdisciplinary collaborations and engagement with different societal actors.
• You are committed to implement, challenge and further develop transdisciplinary teaching and research.
• Very good oral and written German and English skills are a prerequisite.

No deadline mentioned

No Deadline mentioned

Postdoctoral researcher on Open Science for qualitative data in transdisciplinary processes

ETH Zurich

The FAIRQual project at the Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLab, Department of Environmental Systems Science) is looking for a one-year postdoctoral researcher to drive forward a project examining when, if and how to share qualitative data from transdisciplinary research projects. The position will start in October or November 2024, in order to attend the ITD Conference in Utrecht for which we are planning a workshop as part of the project. Other starting dates can also be negotiated. 

Job description

You will work with the project leaders and data steward specialists to evaluate current data sharing practices and develop guidelines for when and how to share qualitative data generated from transdisciplinary (Td) research processes. You will lead interviews (recruiting, conducting interviews, coding and analyzing data) with researchers using qualitative methods. You will also lead or co-lead workshops on the topic and contribute to the development of protocols and building a community of practice around open research data. You will attend conferences to present the research and lead or co-lead the publication of one or more scientific articles on the topic. 

Profile

• Experience with qualitative methods (e.g., writing research ethics applications, conducting semi-structured interviews, using qualitative analysis software for coding, publishing scientific papers based on qualitative data)
• Experience and/or interest in transdisciplinary processes
• Fluency in English. Additional languages are an asset
• Interest in questions around data sharing and open science. No technical background is required as another position will conduct this part of the project
• Experience in workshop facilitation is desirable
• Collaborative spirit, curiosity and openness to work across boundaries

No deadline mentioned

No Deadline mentioned

Senior Director, RIC

Northwestern University

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University has committed to developing the world’s leading institute on complexity science with a focus on business research through the newly created Ryan Institute on Complexity (RIC).  The RIC will comprise a revolutionary research lab designed to change the way business, markets and societal issues are studied, combining multidisciplinary talents and quantitative sciences in new ways to tackle bigger problems faster. The RIC will place Kellogg and Northwestern at the forefront of solving increasingly complex societal, business, and market challenges by harnessing the power of big data and artificial intelligence.  The RIC was recently funded by a $25M gift from the Ryan Family Foundation and is in the stage of forming its administrative structure.

The Senior Director of the Ryan Institute on Complexity (RIC) will focus on providing strategic leadership, attracting novel funding streams, and supporting faculty in their research and curricular endeavors within the Institute and its research centers and laboratories.  The Senior Director will work closely with the Faculty Co-directors of the Institute and the home institution for grants and awards. 

Please note: Occasional weekends and evenings as requested and with some possible travel, as required.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Fundraising

• Partner with Faculty Co-directors to provide the strategic direction of the Institute in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with complex and changing initiatives and priorities.
• Provide oversight and direction for high-priority projects and initiatives for the Institute.
• Attract novel funding streams and grant funding utilizing collaborative efforts with various grant funding institutions.
• Write, edit, and develop new funding proposals to support the initiatives of the Institute.

Programmatic and Operational Leadership

• Partner with Faculty Co-directors to create a governance structure for the Institute, hire staff, and foster a culture of strong organizational performance.
• Oversee the management of the RIC staff, researchers, faculty, and visiting scholars.
• Direct operations of the Institute and drive efficiency.
• Oversees the Institute’s annual budgeting and financial management processes.

External Engagement, Communication and Outreach

• Build research collaborations internally across Northwestern and externally with related organizations and associates to further the RIC as a globally recognized Institute.
• Leverage the RIC platform to encourage local and global participation through signature conferences and visiting scholars. 
• Collaborate with alumni, industry leaders, and other partners to bring real world examples and experience to the labs.
• Oversee all Institute communications, including the website, newsletters, and social media to further the Institute’s brand and reputation.
• Represents Kellogg to external audiences of potential participants, partners, and supporters, working with a wide variety of clients and partners to ensure the Ryan Institute is at the center of quantitative approach to problem-solving on campus, locally and globally. 

Faculty & Research Support

• Launch and execute curricular courses/programs in Executive Education and/or the MBA or PhD programs, as opportunities arise.
• Hire, on-board, and support visiting experts and associate faculty, researchers, and scholars.

No Deadline mentioned

20.09.24

Akademische:r Mitarbeiter:in "Klimaneutralität"

Hochschule Reutlingen

An der Hochschule Reutlingen trifft Innovation auf Tradition. Ob digitale Transformation, nachhaltige Produktentwicklung oder interdisziplinäre Forschung – wir verstehen, was Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft und die Welt bewegt. Im Reutlinger Energiezentrum für Dezentrale Energiesysteme und Energieeffizienz (REZ) gestalten wir gemeinsam mit dem und für den Konzern Stadt Reutlingen im Reallabor "Klima-RT-LAB" den Weg hin zur Klimaneutralität. In den Handlungsfeldern „Energie“, „Gebäude“, „Mobilität“ und "Organisieren und Handeln" wird der dafür erforderliche Transformationsprozess erforscht und unterstützt. Zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt ist im Reutlinger Energiezentrum für Dezentrale Energiesysteme und Energieeffizienz diese Stelle zu besetzen:

WAS SIE GESTALTEN

• Transdisziplinäre Erarbeitung von Konzepten und Lösungen zur Transformation (z. B. in den Bereichen Transformationsprozesse, Anreize für klimaneutrales Verhalten in Organisationen, Leitbild-Entwicklung, Monitoring)

• Durchführung und Auswertung einer quantitativen Befragung von Mitarbeitenden

• Organisation und Moderation von Workshops mit unterschiedlichen Akteursgruppen

• Sichten, Zusammenfassen einschlägiger Literatur und deren kritische Bewertung

• Erstellen von einschlägigen Berichten, Präsentationen und Kommunikationsmitteln

• Unterstützung des Projektmanagements

WAS SIE MITBRINGEN

• einen Masterabschluss z.B. in Verwaltungs-, Sozial- oder Wirtschaftswissenschaften, möglichst mit Schwerpunkt Energie / Umwelt / Nachhaltigkeit

• Ausbildung und Erfahrung in quantitativen Methoden der Sozialforschung

• Erfahrungen im Projektmanagement

• Sie sind selbstständig und Team-orientiert, organisiert und strukturiert, lösungsorientiert in allen Situationen und mit allen Menschen

• deutsch: auf muttersprachlichem Niveau, englisch: sehr gut in Wort und Schrift

WAS WIR BIETEN

• Gestaltungsmöglichkeiten bei einem spannenden, zukunftsorientierten Forschungsprojekt mit hohem Praxisbezug

• Interessantes und anspruchsvolles Aufgabengebiet mit bedeutenden Möglichkeiten der Vernetzung

• Vielfältige Möglichkeiten der Weiterbildung und –qualifikation, ggf. Möglichkeit zur Promotion

• Bezahlung nach TV-L E 13

• Die Einstellung erfolgt zunächst befristet für zwei Jahre

Bewerbungsfrist: 20 September 2024

01.10.24

PhD Student Human Genetics

University of Bern

The Department of Human Genetics at the Inselspital is conducting extensive and interdisciplinary services in the area of genetic counselling and diagnostics and is scientifically associated with the Department for Biomedical research (DBMR) at the University of Bern.
 

The research group of the department (Prof. Dr. Dr. Christiane Zweier) focuses on the clinical, genetic and functional characterization of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including intellectual disability and epilepsy. Neurodevelopmental disorders are an important health concern affecting 2-3% of the population and are clinically and genetically extremely heterogeneous. Understanding the underlying causes and pathomechanisms is crucial to path the way for development of targeted therapies.

Challenges/project

The successful applicants (2 PhD positions) will be involved in an SNF-funded research project entitled “Multiple genetic diagnoses as a window into pathomechanisms of Rare Diseases”.

The project aims at 1) characterizing the landscape of multiple diagnosis in patients with rare disorders and 2) investigating functional interactions between concurrently mutated genes to better understand underlying pathomechanisms for individual diseases as well as for oligogenicity and genetic modifiers. The experimental spectrum of the PhD projects will include classic molecular and genetic methods as well as in vivo and in vitro model systems such as Drosophila melanogaster and iPSC-derived and other cell-based systems.

Start of employment: 01 October 2024

Open unitl filled

Postdoctoral Researcher in Humanitarian Design

University of Copenhagen

The Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the project “The Future of Humanitarian Design (HUD)”. Led by Associate Professor Jonathan Luke Austin, this project aims to address contemporary humanitarian challenges through the integration of emerging technologies, aesthetic design processes, and engineering insights with knowledge from international relations. The successful candidate will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team and contribute to innovative research focused on improving conditions for vulnerable populations worldwide.

Job Description:

• Conduct research as part of the HUD project, focusing on the intersection of humanitarian challenges, emerging technologies, and design processes
• Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners from academic institutions and humanitarian organizations
• Travel to relevant field sites, including Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to conduct research and engage with local communities
• Pursue independent research related to project themes and personal interests
• Contribute to project publications, reports, and presentations

Early appplication is encouraged, position is open until filled