Médecins Sans Frontières is looking for a Researcher (UREPH; French-speaking)

Application deadline: 2026-09-14

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Contract type: Open-ended contract, part-time position (90%)

Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent, international humanitarian organization that provides care to people in need, people affected by natural or man-made disasters, and victims of armed conflict, regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, nationality, origin, religion or any other characteristic of diversity.

The UREPH (Research Unit on Humanitarian Stakes and Practices) of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland was created in 2006 and aims to improve the way MSF projects are implemented in the field and to participate in critical thinking on humanitarian and medical action, notably by producing publications and organizing conferences and debates. The UREPH carries out research that enables a better understanding of operational challenges and fosters an analytical and reflective approach to humanitarian practices and issues.

As part of a small team, the Researcher is amongst the leading persons within MSF Switzerland/Operational Center Geneva (OCG) for the capitalisation and the research around operational and ethical issues. She/He represents MSF-CH in various forums regarding these aspects (academic gatherings, communications events, etc.). She/He is also expected to be available to carry other tasks (field visit, teaching, etc.) if compatible with the approach of the main research. She/He must have a polyvalent profile and be capable of rapid conceptualisation of the issues at stake in current and emerging themes.

The post requires general interest, knowledge, and MSF field coordination experience, as well as an ability to take on ad hoc dossiers depending on the circumstances and requests from other departments. The Researcher must be capable of working autonomously, yet hand in hand with external and internal networks, drawing on the latter to secure awareness of current thinking/approaches and position her/his output for maximised use and impact. The Researcher is directly under the responsibility of and reports to the head of UREPH.

Tasks & Responsibilities

1. To contribute to the generation and dissemination of knowledge pertaining to humanitarian action, its stakes and practices, relevant to current MSF programmes:

• Publication of peer-reviewed research articles, through academic journals with international readership
• Study design and formulation of methodology
• Field collection of specific data as needed
• Collection of bibliography
• Article writing (as main contributing author)
• Article submission and editorial correspondence
• Article finalisation according to peer reviews
• Article publication
• Presentation of research results in internal (MSF) and external meetings
• Submission of abstracts
• Attend conferences or other meetings relevant to research topics

2. To contribute to building partnerships between MSF and humanitarian, academic or public health institutions, and think tanks:

• Representation of UREPH in external meetings, workshops or consultations
• Lectures on humanitarian action, ethical issues or related topics
• Participation in workshops or high-level events and consultations

3. To lead or participate in internal debates, so as to challenge institutional and operational policies and initiate constructive critical reflection on how our organisation both functions and delivers its medico-humanitarian assistance:

• Liaise with other MSF sections on themes of common interests
• Stimulate critical thinking on these issues and push forward the development and improvement of adequate responses to these challenges

Your profile

Education

• Master’s degree in social sciences, global health, public health, political sciences, medical anthropology or a related field (PhD a plus)

Experience

• Experience in the field with MSF is compulsory
• Experience in field research
• Experience and ability to build and animate a network of resources
• Academic publications a plus

Languages

• Fluency in French and English (compulsory)

Skills/ Technical competencies

• Excellent writing and analytical skills
• Ability to synthesise information

Personal Abilities/Qualities

• Team spirit while able to work autonomously
• Organised and structured way of working
• Strong responsiveness and flexibility
• Ability to show initiative

Terms of employment

Working place: Geneva, Switzerland, with possible field visits

Ideal starting date: 2026-10-15

Gross annual salary: from CHF 102’180.- to CHF 116’484.- (salary commensurate with experience and according to internal salary grid)

Paid vacation: 25 days per year, prorate temporis, plus any Swiss public holidays falling within the contract period.

Pension plan: pension contribution covered 3/4 by MSF, 1/4 by staff member.

Relocation: Relocation support available for eligible candidates.

Depending on our activities and needs, your responsibilities may be adapted and evolve. You will not face these challenges alone; other MSF team members (both international and locally hired staff) will support you.

All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference and criminal record checks.

Médecins Sans Frontières Switzerland – is recruiting committed professionals for positions at our headquarters and in our field projects. Joining MSF means putting your skills to work for a humanitarian, medical, and independent organization active in over 70 countries, responding to emergencies and delivering quality care to people in distress.

Here you will find all our career opportunities to contribute to humanitarian action, both in Switzerland and in our field projects. Find out more and discover all the offers for international mobile staff on our dedicated website:

• Get more information: here
• Access to our career site: Working with MSF OCG – IMS

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