PhD Doctoral Student

The Department of Health is responsible for teaching, research and development, and services at OST. As an interdisciplinary unit within the Department of Health and the Institute of Health Sciences (IGW), the Center of Competence for Mental Health combines scientific excellence with a clear practical orientation. We work closely with regional, national, and international partners in the healthcare sector and develop innovative research projects, offer modern study programs, and promote continuous exchange between science and practice. This makes us a key contributor to the evidence-based further development of mental health care in Switzerland. About the project: This 4-year project "Ageing in the Aftermath of Adversity" funded by the Swiss National Fund (SNF) investigates how early childhood stress and trauma contribute to interindividual heterogeneity in aging trajectories and to the intergenerational transmission of trauma (vulnerability vs. resilience). This is achieved by studying survivors of early childhood trauma and stress and their second-generation offspring in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The project is divided into three work packages, with the doctoral project leading the qualitative research: Work package 1 is a longitudinal quantitative cohort study to capture long-term health and aging trajectories. Work package 2 includes three qualitative studies that examine the lived experiences and long-term health effects of early childhood stress and trauma in different contexts (coercive measures and out-of-home placements, faith communities, and families). Work package 3 deals with the biopsychosocial intergenerational transmission of trauma and resilience and includes a quantitative survey as well as qualitative interviews with second-generation offspring of survivors. To strengthen our team, we are looking for a committed PhD Doctoral Student who will actively participate in research, data collection and analysis, and scientific publication. You will be working at OST in St.Gallen and will be integrated into the doctoral school of the University of Basel, Faculty of Psychology. The position is limited to 4 years. Your area of responsibility • Leadership of qualitative studies: development of study materials and interview guides, recruitment of participants, conduct of interviews, transcription, and qualitative data analysis (with MAXQDA) • Literature research on early childhood stress and trauma in different contexts as well as on the intergenerational transmission of vulnerability and resilience • Quantitative data analysis (with R, SPSS) • Writing scientific publications as part of a cumulative dissertation • Supervision and support of master's students and interns • Conducting teaching events in bachelor's and master's programs Your expertise • Master of Science in Psychology or equivalent education • Experience in qualitative and quantitative analysis (further training in the qualitative area will be offered) • High level of scientific curiosity and a self-dependent and efficient way of working • Stress tolerance, reliability, and careful handling of sensitive research data • Very good Swiss German and German language skills, as well as very good English language skills in word and writing • Proven knowledge of software for qualitative analysis (e.g. MAXQDA), statistical evaluation (e.g. SPSS, R), and literature management (e.g. EndNote, Citavi) Your benefits with us Questions about the application process Sylvia Iten HR Business Partner sylvia.iten@ost.ch About OST The OST - Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences is an intercantonal and interstate university of applied sciences with locations in Buchs, Rapperswil-Jona, and St.Gallen. With excellent bachelor's and master's programs as well as further education programs that are up-to-date, we train future-oriented specialists and leaders. In the field of applied research and development as well as services, we are one of the leading national institutions.