We offer a two-year fulltime postdoctoral research position for a highly motivated candidate at the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IRM) of the University of Bern, Switzerland. The position is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) as part of the project " Forensic Genetics Frequency Databases: Between Science and Law Enforcement", led by Dr. Martin Zieger, group leader at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
About the project
Forensic Genetic Frequency Databases (FGFDs) provide frequency estimates for DNA profiles, based on representative population samples. These estimates are required to establish the weight of evidence of a DNA profile in criminal cases or to calculate kinship probabilities, e.g. in paternity test-ing. Existing FGFDs have developped from research projects over more than two decades and con-tain a large number of heterogenous datasets. Two aims of this project are to classify the database entries according to ethical aspects and to conduct a broad-based stakeholder consultation, in order to find solutions for the handling of legacy data with an unclear or questionable ethical status. The results of this project will help to render these widely used data ressources fit for future.
Your skills and qualifications

• Ph D with a background in bioethics, applied ethics, health law or a related discipline.
• Experience with stakeholder consultations, e.g. using the Delphi method.
• An interest in forensics and basic understanding of genetics.
• Highly motivated, well-organized and able to work autonomously.
• Excellent command of English, German is an advantage.
• Experience of working on genetic data or large public databases is an advantage.

We offer

• Opportunity to advance ethics in forensics, with interdisciplinary and international partners.
• Funding for conference participations, administrative support, excellent infrastructure.
• Competitive salary according to the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Are you interested?
Applications, including a letter of motivation highlighting your project-specific skills, CV, diplomas with grades and two references with e-mail addresses and phone numbers should be sent by email as single PDF to: martin.zieger@irm.unibe.ch

For full consideration, apply by December 1st, 2024
Anticipated starting date: April 2025