PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics

The Institute for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Basel (IBMB), Switzerland (http://ibmb.unibas.ch/ ), is dedicated to research and teaching of biomedical ethics at the Medical and Science Faculties. We are currently looking for dynamic and independent graduate students (Master's degree) or medical/veterinary students who are interested in carrying out their PhD work in biomedical ethics. The projects for which we have funding focus on ethical issues related to animal ethics:
“EXPLOR3R: Exploring 3R with experimental ethics", a project on “Advancing 3R" funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation

Project Information: While there is a considerable body of literature on 3R, its application in practice, and its connection to professional opinion, EXPLOR3R will use experimental ethics to explore how scientists, other animal workers or members of the public perceive the ethics of 3R. The project will use a mixed-methods approach with qualitative interviews with scientists, other animal workers and the public in the first phase and two large quantitative surveys in the second phase. In each of these phases, the foundations, application and scope of 3R will be investigated and re-evaluated, along with participants' more general views on animals. EXPLOR3R will future-proof the 3R paradigm, ensuring that it remains aligned with key reflective ethical values rather than intuitive reflexive thinking.

Position Available starting: Fall 2022
Length of PhD Program: 3 years (full-time)
PhD Salary: In accordance with SNSF doctoral salary guideline

• Master's degree in animal ethics, bioethics, philosophy, life sciences, medicine, psychology, and other related fields.
• Excellent language skills in English.
• Ability to speak and understand German or French is highly desirable.
• Willingness to contribute towards an empirical project.
• Outstanding Master's and Bachelor's academic grades.
• Enthusiasm, responsibility and interest in an academic career.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research design is desirable.

• Enrolment in a Swiss Bologna accredited PhD Program in Bioethics, Health Policy and Legal medicine.
• Student will complete empirical methods courses as part of the PhD Program in order to successfully conduct their PhD Project.
• Student will have the opportunity to engage in a cutting-edge topic of ethics and science.
• Student will also have the possibility to contribute to the academic life at the IBMB, including contributions to teaching, as well as collaboration in other research projects and academic publications in peer reviewed journals.

Environment: The University of Basel is the oldest Swiss university with a long tradition in ethics and the humanities. It has a long-standing reputation in outstanding research and teaching. Doctoral candidates at the University come from many international countries providing a vibrant and rich community. More information about the University is available at the following website: https://www.unibas.ch/en/University/About-University.html . The city of Basel is a global centre for biomedical research with major academic institutions and research departments of leading life science companies. Basel is a multicultural city and ranks among the best in terms of quality of life.

Application / Contact
Applications must be submitted in English and should include in a single PDF file: (1) A detailed CV, including an overview of study results (grades), the title of your master thesis, contact information of (at least) two (academic) referees, and a PDF-file of the master thesis; (2) A motivation letter (maximum two pages, double-spaced, font 12), specifying your interests in the topic and PhD at Basel.
Applications for the project should be sent via email directly to Dr. David Shaw ([email protected] ) and Prof. B. Elger ([email protected] ) with email subject “PhD opportunity EXPLOR3R" by July 15th 2022.