Research Assistant or Phd Student

We are seeking a dedicated community engagement manager and research assistant to work on a project on_**_ HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, access and use in Switzerland_**_. This is a part-time position (60-80%, preferred at 80%), limited to 4 years starting November 2025, with the possibility to conduct a PhD._
- The project aims at providing gender-sensitive, interdisciplinary, evidence-based guidance on how to improve PrEP awareness, access, and use among underserved and diverse populations in Switzerland. This is a collaboration between several universities in Switzerland and abroad, organisations and institutions active in HIV care and prevention, and communities concerned by PrEP and/or HIV._
- The position has two principal axes. First, to establish and facilitate a community advisory board (CAB) of individuals concerned by PrEP and/or HIV, clearly designed to ensure meaningful community involvement throughout the project. Second, to undertake practice-based research into various aspects of the participatory processes put in place, and their impact on the overall project._
- The exact contours of the research to be carried out will be decided by the successful applicant with the rest of the research team in collaboration with our partner universities._
**Key Responsibilities**:

- Establish and facilitate a diverse CAB of people concerned by PrEP and/or HIV in Switzerland.
- Conduct research on participatory processes and support Monitoring and Evaluation to assess the impact of the CAB and its activities.
- Liaise between the CAB and project partners, including researchers and partner organisations.
- Lead outreach, dissemination, and communication efforts, ensuring community engagement is prioritised throughout the project.
- Implement DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) strategies within the project framework, ensuring inclusive practices across all stages.

**Required Profile**:

- Experience: o Master's degree in public health, social epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, or other topic-related fields. o Knowledge and experience of participatory processes/patient & public involvement. o Prior experience working in social sciences, public health research, qualitative epidemiology, or related fields. o Prior experience in conducting qualitative research (e.g., interviews) is an asset.
- Skills: o Excellent organisational abilities.
- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills. o Fluency in English, and at least French or German, with good understanding of the other language. o Close connection to the PrEP user/HIV community in Switzerland is considered an asset.

**What we offer**:

- A dynamic, supportive, and collaborative research environment.
- The potential to make a meaningful impact on the future of HIV prevention and community engagement in Switzerland.
- Flexible working hours (60-80% position), with the possibility to work part-time from home.
- Salary according to the Inselspital Bern / SNF PhD salary scales as applicable.

**Applications must be written in English and include following elements: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, and one reference letter.**

**Research partnerships**
- In partnership with the University of Bern, we offer the opportunity to participate in national and international research networks

forschungskooperationen

**Research partnerships**
- In partnership with the University of Bern, we offer the opportunity to participate in national and international research networks

forschungskooperationen

**Work-life balance**
- Part-time and job-sharing opportunities
- 16 weeks of maternity leave
- 3 weeks of paternity leave

worklife

**Work-life balance**
- Part-time and job-sharing opportunities
- 16 weeks of maternity leave
- 3 weeks of paternity leave

worklife

**Holidays**
- Up to the age of 20: 27 working days
- Up to the age of 44: 25 working days
- From the age of 45: 27 working days
- From the age of 55: 32 working days
- Possibility to buy 5 or 10 additional vacation days

ferien

**Holidays**
- Up to the age of 20: 27 working days
- Up to the age of 44: 25 working days
- From the age of 45: 27 working days
- From the age of 55: 32 working days
- Possibility to buy 5 or 10 additional vacation days

ferien
- Location Inselspital, Universitätsspital
- Organisation
- Medical division cross-sectional service provider
- Area Department of Pediatric Surgery
- Workload
- 60 - 80 %
- Start
- per 01.11.2025 or upon agreement
limited for 4 years
- Reference
- 18039
- Type of Contract
- Temporary
- Work Location
- Inselspital, Universitätsspital Bern
Freiburgstrasse, CH-3010 Bern
Schweiz

For further information please contact
**Marie Ballif**
Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin