Doktorandin / Doktorand PRECISE-MDD — Universitäre Psychiatrische Dienste Bern (UPD)

Full description

Teaching and Research Directorate

We offer a PhD position within the framework of a multicentre project funded with CHF 1.99 million by the Swiss National Science Foundation entitled "PRECISE-MDD: Precision Treatment Selection in Major Depressive Disorder Using EEG/ECG Biomarkers: A Multicenter Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial with Clinical, Mechanistic, and Health-Economic Outcomes". The study is conducted at the University Psychiatric Center Bern under the direction of Prof. Dr med. Tobias Bracht (Principal Investigator), Prof. Dr. Leila Soravia, and Prof. Dr. med. Bogdan Draganski performed. Further study centers are the Psychiatric University Clinics in Zurich and Basel. The aim of this multicenter, randomized-controlled study is to investigate the therapeutic-predictive value of EEG and ECG-based biomarkers for different treatment modalities (antidepressants, rTMS, ketamine, and ECT) in patients with unipolar depression. The study is based on promising results of a retrospective study conducted in Zurich. At the Studienzentrum Bern, in addition to state-of-the-art methods of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), changes in structural and functional connectivity in the brain are determined which could be associated with a therapy response. All MRI measurements take place at the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine (SITEM) in cooperation with Neuroradiology at Inselspital in Bern. We are looking for a doctoral student with high motivation and interest in clinical and neurobiological research in the field of affective disorders. The job is limited to 4 years. The interdisciplinary team and comprehensive SNSF funding provide excellent structural opportunities to lay the foundation for further clinical and/or scientific careers in neuropsychiatry, clinical psychiatry or psychology.

Your tasks

• You will work in close exchange with the doctoral students in Zurich and Basel and coordinate the data collection at the Berne location together with other research colleagues.
• Together with the study team, you coordinate the implementation of the randomized controlled trial at the Berne site and ensure a smooth clinical trial process.
• You organize and accompany the patient recruitment, screening, randomization as well as the study visits and follow-up examinations
• You will conduct clinical interviews, psychometric examinations as well as EEG and ECG derivations and MRI measurements and support the quality assurance of neurophysiological examinations
• You support the organizational and administrative processes such as ethics requests, clinical study monitoring, adherence to the study protocol and study documentation as well as administration and quality assurance, especially in REDCap
• You supervise and coordinate the assignment of Master students and research interns
• You do data processing, statistical analyses and MRI analyses
• You present scientific results at national and international congresses
• You write scientific publications with the aim of a doctorate (PhD)

Your profile

• You have a master’s degree in psychology, neuroscience or a completed medical degree
• You have experience in clinical research
• Knowledge of conducting or coordinating randomized controlled trials is particularly welcome
• You are interested in affective disorders, neurobiology, neurophysiology, MRI imaging and clinical research
• You have a high motivation to learn new research methods
• You show a high level of initiative, work reliably and carefully
• You also enjoy working independently and working together in a team
• You enjoy communicating with patients
• You bring very good German and English skills

The UPZ

The Universitäre Psychiatrische Zentrum Bern (UPZ) is the leading centre of excellence for psychiatry and psychotherapy in the capital region. It ensures psychiatric care in the Canton of Bern along the entire supply chain, from early diagnosis to outpatient, day-care and inpatient therapies to rehabilitation and forensics. With more than 30 locations, the UPZ offers a comprehensive supply network. In addition, the UPZ makes an important contribution in the areas of teaching, training and further education as well as research.

Your place of work

University Psychiatric Center Bern (UPZ) Murtenstrasse 21, 3008 Bern

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