Swiss Cancer Institute

The Swiss Cancer Institute (SCI) is the national network for clinical cancer research in Switzerland. In close collaboration with the Department of Medical Oncology (Prof. Ochsenbein) and the Department of Radiation Oncology (Prof. Aebersold) at Inselspital Bern, we are proffering one to two MD-PhD Positions in Clinical Cancer Research. This pilot initiative is designed for assistant physicians aiming to combine clinical specialization with high-quality clinical research and to pursue an academic career leading towards habilitation.

Applications are open for a:

MD-PhD Positions at the Graduate School for Health (GHS) –
Clinical Sciences (80–100%)

Funded by the Swiss Cancer Institute & Inselspital Bern (Pilot Project)
Details about the PhD program, application and admission process (step 1 and 2) as well as training and certification can be found on GHS webpage: https://www.ghs.unibe.ch

This 4–6-year program will be funded by the Swiss Cancer Institute and the Department of Medical Oncology resp. Radiation Oncology of the Inselspital. It follows a dual employment model that combines clinical work at Inselspital (50%) with protected research time at the Swiss Cancer Institute (50%)

Your Responsibilities

Clinical (Inselspital)

  • Structured clinical training in medical or radiation oncology (FMH trajectory)

  • Contribution to patient care in a modern oncologic setting

  • Development of competencies relevant for an academic clinical career

Research (GHS)

Research (Swiss Cancer Institute)

Your Profile

  • Medical degree and at least one year of experience in medical or radiation oncology (preferably in Switzerland or the EU)

  • Strong interest in academic clinical research, including an initial research concept

  • Excellent academic references and strong analytical abilities

  • Fluent German and proficient English

  • Reliable, well-organized, team-oriented and able to work in an interdisciplinary environment

Supervision & Mentoring

The candidate will be supervised by a habilitated faculty member from the Medical Oncology or Radiation Oncology department of Inselspital and additionally by a person with (MD-)PhD from Swiss Cancer Institute network. 

What We Offer

We offer the funding for a PhD position at the graduate school GHS and facilitate the application process for the graduate school (final decision for PhD position lays with GHS).

In addition, we provide a program of clinical specialization based on FMH oncology/radiation oncology requirements SIWF while conducting research within Switzerland’s leading cancer research network. The candidate gains access to Swiss Cancer Institute’s methodological teams, expert groups and educational programs (not accredited for ECTS points). Clearly defined clinical and research time is ensured, supported by competitive assistant-physician salary conditions. Moreover, the PhD Candidate will be included in the Young Oncology Academy of the Swiss Cancer Institute. 

Application & Key Dates

Applications are accepted until end of March 2026. Interviews take place in April/May and the selected candidate will be confirmed by end of May. Program start is planned for Q4 2026. Applications including a motivation letter, a full CV with publication list, references incl. academic records and an initial research concept should be submitted as a single PDF.  For further information, please contact:
PD Dr. Sabine Schmid (sabine.schmid@insel.ch) or
Céline Hummel (celine.hummel@swisscancerinstitute.ch)
For the PhD position application at GHS please check for deadlines on their webpage GHS.

We are happy to support successful candidates in that process.
Swiss Cancer Institute
Swiss Cancer Institute

Effingerstrasse 33
3008 Bern
+41 31 389 91 91

job@swisscancerinstitute.ch

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