Post-Doctoral Research Positon (80–100%) in Digital & Computational Toxicology

• The Swiss Center for Applied Human Toxicology (SCAHT), affiliated with the University of Basel, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher in digital and computational toxicology to strengthen the SCAHT’s activities in the field of the digital transformation of human and regulatory toxicology, with a view to next-generation risk assessment. We are seeking a scientist with a strong background in toxicology and expertise in computational toxicology, data science, artificial intelligence, and data governance. Ideally, the candidate will have experience in applied sciences or a keen interest in applying their experience to address applied research objectives and challenges. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative digital infrastructures, computational workflows, and AI-based tools designed to support the national and international toxicology community.
• Application deadline: August 16, 2026
• Contract start date: to be agreed upon

Your responsibilities

• Develop and implement data management strategies, standards, and plans that comply with FAIR principles.
• Build, organize, and maintain toxicological datasets and digital knowledge resources using public databases, scientific literature, “omics” datasets, and regulatory resources.
• Develop and apply computational methods to analyze, integrate, and visualize complex toxicological datasets.
• Evaluate, implement, and refine AI- and machine learning-based approaches for data organization, analysis, and knowledge extraction.
• Develop and integrate Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) and other mechanistic knowledge frameworks to support biology-based risk assessment.
• Contribute to national and international collaborative research projects as well as grant proposals.
• Publish scientific findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences.
• Support training activities, knowledge transfer, and collaboration within academic, regulatory, and industrial communities.

Duration:

• 2 years, with the possibility of extension.

Your Profile

• We invite highly motivated researchers with a strong background and a passion for computational and data-driven toxicology to apply.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in toxicology, computational toxicology, data science, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in toxicology, or a strong interest in applying computational methods to toxicological research.
• Experience in computational data analysis using Python and/or R, including the management, cleaning, and integration of large biological or toxicological datasets.
• Experience in the management, cleaning, and integration of large biological or toxicological datasets.
• Knowledge of database management, FAIR data principles, and data governance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, as well as strong communication skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and/or natural language processing.
• Experience in reproducible computational research using tools such as Git, Docker, and workflow management systems.
• Knowledge of public toxicological databases (e.g., AOP-Wiki, ToxCast, PubChem, or ChEMBL).
• Proven experience in scientific publishing.
• Knowledge of German and/or French.

We offer

• Joining the SCAHT means becoming part of an internationally renowned center dedicated to advancing human-centered toxicology and next-generation risk assessment. You will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of toxicology, data science, and regulatory science, with the opportunity to contribute to the digital transformation of toxicology in Switzerland and Europe.
• The opportunity to shape the emerging field of digital toxicology.
• A collaborative, internationally renowned research environment.
• Close collaboration with academic, industrial, and regulatory partners at the national and international levels.
• Access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure in computer science, artificial intelligence, and toxicology.
• Opportunities to develop innovative digital solutions supporting the regulatory implementation of “New Approach” (NAM) methodologies.
• Excellent opportunities for scientific and professional career development.
• Flexible working conditions and a position in Basel, Switzerland, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the University of Basel.

Application / Contact:

• Please submit your application as a single PDF file containing your cover letter, resume, and professional background via email to angela.duarte@unibas.ch. For more information, please visit our website at scaht.org and/or contact our scientific coordinator, Dr. Stéphanie Boudon, by email at stephanie.boudon@unibas.ch or Dr. Lothar Aicher by email at lothar.aicher@unibas.ch