University of Basel

Open Opportunities

Object Slippage Detection for a Miniature Force-Sensitive Gripper University of Basel Bio-Inspired RObots for MEDicine-Laboratory (BIROMED-Lab) Other organizations: Sensory-Motor Systems Lab We are developing a teleoperated micro-assembly system. A core component is a force-sensitive micro-gripper. A first gripper prototype has been realized and evaluated. Your task will be to review and improve the current design and to implement automated object slippage detection. Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics Master Thesis

MD-PhD position University of Basel Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Open position for a MD-PhD trainee to participate in the design, conduct, and analysis of a randomized controlled trial on the effects of daylight on mood, sleep-wake cycles, and performance in adult patients with depression. Neurosciences, Psychiatry PhD Placement

Chronobiology, Sleep and Caffeine University of Basel Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken The present project targets the effects of the caffeine in sleep-restricted teenagers on sleep, reward processing, risk-taking, and underlying cerebral mechanisms. Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology), Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology, Neurosciences, Psychology not elsewhere classified, Social and Community Psychology Internship

Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Sterile Workflow for Robot-Assisted Laser Ablation of Cartilage Tissue University of Basel Bio-Inspired RObots for MEDicine-Laboratory (BIROMED-Lab) Other organizations: Sensory-Motor Systems Lab Cartilage damage in the knee joint can be caused by aging or repetitive actions. It can be treated by surgically removing the damaged cartilage tissue and filling the generated defect with a precisely shaped, healthy cartilage graft. Nowadays, defect preparation is commonly performed using surgical curettes, which has several drawbacks. We are investigating the use of laser ablation for more precise, controlled, and contactless tissue preparation. A workflow and container for sterile laser ablation of tissue has been designed and validated. However, several limitations have been identified. Your task will be to design and manufacture a new sterile ablation container addressing these issues, to adapt the overall sterile ablation workflow, and to validate your design in a sterile laser ablation experiment. Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Master Thesis

Refreshing Articular Cartilage Defects by Laser Ablation - Parameter Optimization and Validation University of Basel Bio-Inspired RObots for MEDicine-Laboratory (BIROMED-Lab) Other organizations: Sensory-Motor Systems Lab Cartilage damage in the knee joint can be caused by aging or repetitive actions. It can be treated by surgically removing the damaged cartilage tissue and filling the generated defect with a precisely shaped, healthy cartilage graft. Removing the defected cartilage is commonly done with surgical curettes. We are investigating the use of laser ablation for a more precise defect preparation process. With two different lasers, we managed to obain promising results regarding cell viability in live samples. However, laser parameters such as pulse frequency and energy need to be optimized towards higher cutting efficiency. Your task will be to prepare a setup to test, optimize, and validate various parameter sets using different lasers for articular cartilage ablation. Biomedical Engineering, Optical Physics Master Thesis

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics at University Basel: Implementing 3Rs in Switzerland: an interdisciplinary in-depth exploration of barriers and facilitators [Implement-3R] University of Basel Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik (IBMB) The national and international regulatory framework concerning the use of animals for research stipulates adherence to the 3R principles (“replace, reduce, refine”). In addition, Swiss law requires researchers to demonstrate a favourable benefit-harm ratio to justify animal experiments. Given the important role of researchers concerning 3R-interpretation and implementation, the project will explore experiences and attitudes of researchers, members of animal ethics commissions and academic leaders using a mixed-methods approach. The aim is to establish an evidence-based dialogue between researchers and regulators and to improve the implementation of 3R-methods in Switzerland. Medical and Health Sciences PhD Placement

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics at University Basel: 3R-sTrategies and Harm-benefIt analysis: uNderstanding decision-maKing and improving consistency and accountability in animal experiment evaluations in Switzerland [THINK-3R] University of Basel Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik (IBMB) The law requires scientists to argue that the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement) have been maximized, i.e. that the same benefits could not have been achieved with lower impact on animal welfare. In-ternational studies show considerable inconsistency as to how Animal Ethics Commissions and their individual members evaluate animal protocols. As long as inconsistencies remain poorly understood and opaque, they can be a source of decreased confidence of society in the decision-making process. This project uses a mixed methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative studies to identify strategies designed to improve consistency of research project evaluations and to understand factors that influence decision making. Medical and Health Sciences PhD Placement

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics at University Basel: open-track University of Basel Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik (IBMB) Institute for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Basel (IBMB), Switzerland (http://ibmb.unibas.ch/), is dedicated to research and teaching of biomedical ethics at the Medical and Science Faculties. We are currently looking for a dynamic and independent graduate student (Master’s degree) interested in carrying out their PhD work in biomedical ethics or bioethics. This call is for “open-track” project, where the applicant can choose his or her doctoral thesis topic. The student will be chosen based on qualifications as well as the topic chosen by the student that best fits the research profile of the IBMB. We are specifically looking, among others, for a candidate with interest in AI ethics. Medical and Health Sciences PhD Placement

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics at University Basel: “Decision making in times of scarce resources: A mixed-method study” University of Basel Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik (IBMB) The COVID-19 pandemic has been raising several ethical questions around the use of limited medical resources in emergency situations and beyond. In Switzerland, ethical guidelines have been developed on how to triage patients in hospitals, in case the risk emerges that extensive medical care cannot be provided to all patients who need it (resource scarcity). However, there is less information on how to deal with prehospital triage decisions, and on the impact of decision-making in times of scarce resources on older persons, a segment of society that has been particularly affected by COVID-19. Using a mixed-method approach, including a survey with older patients from geriatric clinics and interviews with professionals, the current project is aimed at filling these two gaps. Medical and Health Sciences PhD Placement

PhD Opportunity in Biomedical Ethics at University Basel: -EXPLORE 3R University of Basel Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik (IBMB) While there is a considerable body of literature on 3R, its application in practice, and its connection to professional opinion, EXPLOR3R will use experimental ethics to explore how scientists, other animal workers or members of the public perceive the ethics of 3R. The project will use a mixed-methods approach with qualitative interviews with scientists, other animal workers and the public in the first phase and two large quantitative surveys in the second phase. In each of these phases, the foundations, application and scope of 3R will be investigated and re-evaluated, along with participants’ more general views on animals. EXPLOR3R will future-proof the 3R paradigm, ensuring that it remains aligned with key reflective ethical values rather than intuitive reflexive thinking. Medical and Health Sciences PhD Placement