Research Associate Occupational Therapy

The Departement Gesundheit combines teaching, research and development, and services in the areas of nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, as well as therapy and nursing science. The Bachelor in Occupational Therapy includes innovative specializations that pick up current developments and are specifically oriented towards the future fields of occupational therapy. Our specializations "KI und Gesundheitstechnologien", "Management und Entrepreneurship" and "Public Health und Preventive Care" are unique throughout Switzerland. To strengthen our occupational therapy team, we are looking for a committed personality as a Research Associate starting October 1, 2026, or by arrangement. Depending on qualification (MSc or PhD degree), you will take on different focuses in teaching and research. Since we consistently combine both areas, the position offers you diverse design possibilities as well as attractive perspectives for your specialist and professional development. ###

Your Field of Activity

• Design and further develop teaching: You plan and conduct courses in the Bachelor's degree program in Occupational Therapy and continuously develop them on the basis of current professional, scientific, and didactic findings.
• Co-design the curriculum: You actively contribute your professional perspectives and ideas to the further development of our innovative and future-oriented curriculum.
• Co-design or lead research: With an MSc degree, you participate in research projects of the Departement Gesundheit. With a PhD degree, you take on the leadership of research projects and contribute to the development of occupational therapy research.
• Accompany students: You expertly supervise Bachelor's theses and support students in developing their scientific competencies.
• Support further educational offerings: You take on courses in other degree programs and continuing education offerings of the Departement Gesundheit.

Your Expertise

• Education: You have a degree in Occupational Therapy at HF or FH level as well as an advanced MSc or PhD degree in Occupational Therapy or a related scientific field.
• Professional expertise: You bring sound occupational therapy knowledge in theory and practice as well as a deep understanding of relevant related sciences.
• Didactic competence: You convey evidence-based occupational therapy content in a professionally sound, understandable, and target-group-oriented manner. A higher education didactic qualification is an advantage or you are willing to acquire one.
• Digital competence: You are interested in innovative health technologies and want to actively help shape their use and further development in teaching, research, and practice.
• Interprofessional and interdisciplinary cooperation: You enjoy working with professionals from different disciplines and professional groups and bring openness to new perspectives.
• Research experience: Research experience is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Your Benefits with us

Questions about the application process

Sylvia Iten
HR Business Partnerin
sylvia.iten@ost.ch

About the OST

The OST - Ostschweizer Fachhochschule 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 degree programs as well as up-to-date continuing education, we train future-oriented specialists and managers. In the field of application-oriented research and development as well as services, we are among the leading institutions nationally.