MD-PhD Position in Clinical Research (Global Health Context

The University Hospital Basel plays a leading role in the (inter) national medical and research community. Our campus in the heart of Basel city represents innovative strength, development opportunities and interdisciplinary cooperation.

01.09.2026 or upon agreement

3-4 years

• The Division of Clinical Epidemiology is recruiting an MD-PhD candidate to start in autumn 2026 or upon agreement for the Com Ba Scale  project - a EU Horizon Europe project in Lesotho that scales our successful Com Ba Ca L project ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).) by integrating cardiovascular risk factor management with HIV and TB services, delivered by community health workers (CHWs)
• You will help design, run and analyse a 1-year pilot at one hospital and two health facilities and a 2-year cluster randomised trial across 20 health facilities
• You will refine the Com Ba Scale  app to support CHWs in their clinical decision making, bringing in your clinical knowledge of diabetes, hypertension, HIV and TB care
• You will coordinate site initiation, central data monitoring, as well as co-drafting the statistical analysis and results manuscripts (with first authorship of trial publications)
• You will develop and deliver training for local staff and CHWs on diabetes, hypertension, HIV and TB care
• You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with CHWs, community members, facility staff, district health teams, the National University of Lesotho and the Lesotho Ministry of Health during regular research stays in-country, and contribute to teaching and research activities in Basel

• A medical degree (MD) with basic clinical experience (e.g. one year of clinical work); a real interest in global health, epidemiology and clinical trials matters more to us than a long research CV
• An affinity for digital tools and basic skills in data management and analysis (especially R), with a willingness to deepen them; prior coding or biostatistics experience is a plus, not a prerequisite
• A strong appetite for fieldwork: you look forward to recurring stays of 3-6 months at a time in rural Lesotho and are comfortable in resource-limited, cross-cultural settings
• Excellent spoken and written English (the working language of the consortium);
  German is an asset for life in Basel, but not required
• A motivated, reliable team player with strong communication and organisational skills, and an interest in equitable global health partnerships
• To your CV (max. 3 pages), please add contact details of at least two references; to your cover letter (max. 2 pages) please add an explanation of why the Com Ba Scale  project appeals to you

• Attractive salary policy and exceptional social benefits
• Discounts for shopping, sport and recreation
• Support during relocation and apartment hunting
• 25 vacation days, plus 5 flexible free days
• Support in further training and education, plus career planning
• Campus in the heart of Basel and the tri-border region
• Comprehensive childcare options
• Free-of-charge sport and fitness program
• A 3-4 year MD-PhD position leading to a PhD degree from the University of Basel, embedded in a well-supported community of PhD students and a structured PhD programme
• Substantive, career-defining responsibility in a randomized trial, from protocol to analysis through first-author publications to results dissemination and stakeholder engagement
• Regular research stays in Lesotho (typically 3-6 months at a time) with an experienced in-country team at Solidar Med, and the chance to have lasting impact – including opportunities for international collaborations, conferences and workshops
• Hands‑on exposure to innovative digital health at scale

There are many reasons to come work for us:
Working at the USB primarily means being part of a dedicated team of over 7500 employees from around 90 nations. Our lively day-to-day lives are characterized by forward-looking research, cutting-edge medicine and the transfer of knowledge at the highest level. In addition, there is a modern organizational culture, interdisciplinarity, inspiring innovation and a wide range of training and professional development opportunities.

Do you want shape the hospital of the future together with us? Then join us! #TeamUSB