Recherche

Postdoctoral Researcher in the History of Medicine

The Institute of Humanities in Medicine (CHUV-UNIL) invites applications for a postdoctoral position (3-4 years, 80-100%) in the History of medicine, attached to Dr Felix Rietmann. The position will start on October 1, 2025 (negotiable, latest possible starting date: 1 February 2026).

Contexte

The University Hospital of Vaud (CHUV) is one of the five university hospitals in Switzerland. Thanks to its collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne and the EPFL, the CHUV plays a leading role in the fields of medical care, medical research and education.

The Institute of Humanities in Medicine (IHM), attached to the Department of Education and Research of the CHUV and to the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne, brings together 4 academic areas: history of medicine and public health; social sciences of medicine; philosophy, ethics and law of medicine and health; and applied human and social sciences (hospital communication, spirituality in medicine).

Mission

The postdoc will contribute to the SNSF Starting Grant project (primary investigator: Felix E. Rietmann) “Pediatric Drugs since 1945: From Local Practice to Global Politics.” The project examines the clinical use, administrative regulation, and scientific marketing of pediatric pharmaceuticals in (and beyond) Switzerland across the second half of the twentieth century.

The postdoc will conduct his or her own research projects within the above-mentioned framework, focusing on the global history of pediatric pharmaceuticals. In close collaboration with the PI, the postdoc will conduct case studies of selected pharmaceuticals tracing the international and global development of a pediatric pharmaceutical market since the post-World War II period.

• To manage independently a research project on the global history of pediatric drugs
• To contribute to the scientific and public promotion of the research developed (including podcasts, website promotion, collective work, scientific article writing)
• To coordinate the Pediatric Drugs project team meetings
• To organize and coordinate events on the results and the topic
• To collaborate with other IHM members, taking part in joint Institute events and activities.

Profil

• Doctorate in History, Contemporary History or History of medicine or equivalent degree
• Experience in the history of global health, the history of pharmaceuticals, or related areas of scholarship
• Experience in managing scientific research project and scientific mediation
• Proficiency (written and spoken) in German and/or French, and good knowledge of English
• Willingness to work in a collaborative environment and a team-based research project.

Nous offrons

• First-rate social benefits, 20 days of paternity leave and 4 months of maternity leave (with the possibility of an additional month of breastfeeding leave)
• A regular salary progression adapted to the responsibilities
• A 13th salary and 25 days of vacation per year
• A right to a minimum of three days of training per year, with access to a varied offer within the CHUV Training Center and partner training centers of the State of Vaud
• Easy access to one of the 500 furnished accommodations offered in the surrounding neighborhoods for people moving to Switzerland from abroad
• Social, cultural and economic advantages offered to members of the H-Oxygène association
• advantages offered within the framework of the mobility plan (discounts on public transport passes, promotion of "Mobility" vehicles and discounts on the purchase of electric bicycles)

Contact et envoi de candidature

Further information can be obtained from Dr Felix Rietmann, physician and historian of medicine, SNSF Starting Grant recipient, E-Mail schreiben, 021 314 70 57.

Applications, written in English, French or German, should include a specific letter of motivation, a concise curriculum vitae, a list of publications with an example of a significant article, and copies of diplomas. They should be sent until June 30, 2025 (23:59 GMT+1) on the dedicated electronic platform.

As all our applications are processed electronically, we thank you for applying exclusively via the internet, by clicking on the APPLY button at the bottom of the advertisement. If for technical reasons you are unable to apply online, we invite you to contact our Recruitment Unit, which will assist you in your application process at 021 / 314-85-70 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

As part of the recruitment process for this position, in the event of hiring, it will be necessary to provide us with an original extract from the criminal record. You will also be asked to present your original diplomas and identification.

The CHUV applies the highest quality standards in its recruitment processes. In addition, in order to promote the diversity of our employees, we are attentive to different life paths and do our utmost to guarantee equal treatment and avoid any discrimination. We look forward to receiving your application.