Two Professorship of Clinical Psychology, focus E-Mental health, Open rank FernUni Schweiz

About us

UniDistance Suisse offers fully online university degree programmes and is accredited under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA). It combines flexible, location‑independent part‑time distance learning with an active, interdisciplinary research culture on its campus in Brig. Across five faculties – Law, Psychology, Business and Economics, History, and Mathematics & Computer Science – we have been shaping modern teaching, learning and research for more than 30 years. Today, UniDistance Suisse counts over 2,700 students and around 550 staff members

The Faculty of Psychology at UniDistance Suisse offers a vibrant, bilingual academic environment with Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, as well as practice-oriented continuing education in both German and French. Its research is centred on key areas such as learning and memory, neurocognition, affect, emotion and motivation, as well as neurodevelopment and neurodiversity. Faculty members employ a broad range of advanced methodological approaches, including electroencephalography, virtual reality, and eye-tracking. Within this context, the clinical professorships represent a strategic opportunity to further strengthen and broaden the faculty’s research profile by integrating clinical psychological expertise, while also generating new momentum in both research and teaching.

To strengthen its research activities and teaching modules in its French and German programmes, the Faculty of Psychology invites applications for two Professorships of Clinical Psychology, focus on E-Mental Health, open rank, as of February 1st, 2027 or upon agreement.

Your responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality, internationally visible research in Clinical Psychology (assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, psychopathology, evidence-based practices), with a particular focus on e-mental health and digital approaches.
• Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and actively contribute to the scientific community through participation in major national and international conferences and workshops.
• Secure competitive third-party funding and contribute to the development of a sustainable and innovative research agenda.
• Supervise and mentor Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral students, fostering the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
• Provide academic leadership and actively contribute to the development of the Faculty’s research profile.
• Establish and strengthen collaborations within UniDistance Suisse as well as with national and international academic and professional partners.
• Teach in the Faculty’s Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral programmes in French and/or German, and contribute to the development of high-quality curricula.
• Design and implement innovative teaching approaches, with a strong emphasis on e-learning, digital education, and distance teaching formats.
• Contribute actively to the strategic development of the Faculty, including study programmes, course offerings, and institutional initiatives.
• Participate in academic self-governance and institutional service at UniDistance Suisse.
• Contribute to and further develop continuing education programmes and services aimed at professionals and the broader public.
• Promote knowledge transfer and dissemination through translational activities targeting diverse audiences.
• Foster an inclusive academic environment and actively promote equity, diversity and inclusion.

Your profile

Applications will be assessed holistically, taking into account the quality, impact, and originality of academic contributions, as well as individual career trajectories and circumstances. Given the open-rank nature of the position, expectations will be interpreted in light of the candidate’s application, experience and career stage.

• A doctoral degree in psychology (or a closely related field) and several years of postdoctoral research experience in clinical psychology.
• Federal recognition as psychotherapist (or equivalent qualification), or being at an advanced stage of obtaining such qualification.
• A strong research focus in clinical psychology (e.g., assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy and intervention, psychopathology, or clinical research and evidence-based practices), with particular expertise in e-mental health or digital approaches. Experience with artificial intelligence and/or data protection in this context is considered an asset.
• A proven track record of high-quality research output, along with a promising and coherent future research agenda.
• Demonstrated national and/or international visibility, and the ability to establish and maintain collaborations across institutions.
• Experience in successfully acquiring competitive third-party research funding.
• University-level teaching experience in clinical psychology at the Bachelor’s and/or Master’s level; experience with blended or digital learning formats is an advantage.
• Willingness and ability to actively contribute to academic self-governance and to the strategic development of the faculty and institution.
• Experience in academic leadership, particularly in supervising doctoral students, is considered an asset.
• Active proficiency in either French or German, and a willingness to acquire passive knowledge of the other language, as well as strong academic proficiency in English.

We offer

Start-up support through dedicated funding to establish and develop a research and teaching team.

A dynamic academic environment within a research-intensive institution, characterized by strong scientific expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a growing international profile.

The opportunity to contribute to and shape innovative approaches to teaching, particularly in the field of online and distance education, supported by comprehensive training and technical pedagogical support.

A high degree of autonomy and responsibility, offering substantial scope for initiative, ownership, and professional development within a dynamic and evolving institutional context.

Attractive employment conditions, including modern working arrangements, competitive social benefits, and access to a wide range of continuing education and professional development opportunities.

A collaborative and engaged academic community, where innovation, excellence, and teamwork are actively fostered.

An inspiring working environment at our campus in Brig, located close to the historic town centre, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) station, and the surrounding mountain region, offering a high quality of life.

A strong institutional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. We particularly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in academia and from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and career paths.

How to apply

We look forward to receiving your full application in one pdf document by e‑mail no later than 14 September 2026 at the following address: jobs@unidistance.ch.

Applications should include a letter of motivation specifying the rank applied for (assistant, associate or full) and preferred language(s) of teaching, together with a comprehensive curriculum vitae. This CV should follow a structured academic format and include a description of the candidate’s academic age considering career-relevant circumstances such as interruptions, part-time employment, caregiving responsibilities, parental leave, or clinical training. It should also highlight key achievements, including selected publications, research funding, supervision activities, teaching experience, and contributions to good scientific practices (e.g. open science). Applicants are further requested to submit a concise narrative CV (max. 2 pages) describing their most significant scientific and/or academic contributions, along with a research statement (max. 2 pages) outlining current work and future plans, and a teaching statement (max. 2 pages). The names and contact details of two to four referees should be provided. Where available, selected teaching evaluations may also be included.

For further information on the recruitment process, please contact Patrick Constantin, Head of Human Resources (patrick.constantin@unidistance.ch). For further details on the content of the job, refer to Prof. Dr. Thomas Reber for the German part (thomas.reber@fernuni.ch) or Prof. Dr. Géraldine Coppin for the French part (geraldine.coppin@unidistance.ch). 

Applications will be considered from candidates residing in Switzerland or planning to relocate to Switzerland.