Application Guide
How to Apply for Junior Assistant
at Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
🏢 About Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-renowned institution for global health, combining research, services, and education. It is unique for its direct translation of scientific findings into practical public health interventions, particularly in tropical and travel medicine. Working here offers the chance to contribute to meaningful global health initiatives from a remote setting, supported by leading experts in the field.
About This Role
This Junior Assistant role involves conducting independent travel medicine consultations after training, participating in clinical examinations of tropical disease returnees, and creating patient reports on tropical and travel medicine issues. It's impactful because you'll directly support patient care and contribute to scientific documentation, helping advance both individual health outcomes and broader public health knowledge in a prestigious institute.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing patient cases for travel medicine consultations, conducted remotely via video calls in German, English, or French. You'd then participate in virtual clinical team meetings to discuss tropical disease returnees, followed by drafting patient reports and possibly working on small scientific tasks like updating a travel health guideline. The day blends direct patient care with documentation and research support, all from a remote setup.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Is Looking For
- A medical student (with studies already begun) who has demonstrated coursework or projects related to tropical or travel medicine.
- Someone with native-level German, plus strong English and French skills, capable of communicating clearly with diverse patients and international colleagues.
- A detail-oriented team player who enjoys human interaction and can coordinate tasks efficiently in a clinical and scientific environment.
- An individual with a proactive interest in small scientific tasks like writing case reports or updating guidelines, showing curiosity beyond basic clinical duties.
📝 Tips for Applying to Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Highlight any prior experience with travel medicine, tropical diseases, or clinical rotations in your CV, even if brief, to show alignment with the role's focus.
Emphasize your language skills (German, English, French) concretely—mention any certifications, study abroad, or practical use in medical or multicultural settings.
Tailor your application to Swiss TPH's mission by referencing specific projects or research areas from their website, such as tropical disease control or global health equity.
Include examples of teamwork and coordination from medical studies or extracurriculars, as these are explicitly listed requirements for this clinical-support role.
If you have any experience with scientific writing (e.g., case studies, reports), detail it clearly, as the role involves 'kleine wissenschaftliche Arbeiten' (small scientific works).
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Express specific interest in tropical and travel medicine, linking it to your medical studies or personal experiences to show genuine passion.', 'Demonstrate your language proficiency and ability to work with diverse populations, crucial for patient consultations in this international institute.', 'Highlight your attention to detail and teamwork, providing brief examples from academic or clinical settings that relate to patient reports or coordination tasks.', "Mention your eagerness to contribute to both clinical duties and scientific tasks, aligning with Swiss TPH's integrated approach to research and practice."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Swiss TPH's recent projects in tropical and travel medicine, such as their work on malaria prevention or travel health guidelines, to show informed interest.
- → Review the institute's publications or case studies related to tropical disease returnees, as this directly ties to the role's clinical examination duties.
- → Understand Swiss TPH's organizational structure and remote work culture, as the position is remote but part of a clinical and research team.
- → Look into Swiss TPH's partnerships or global health initiatives to contextualize how this role supports broader public health goals.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning tropical/travel medicine or Swiss TPH specifically, which may show lack of genuine interest.
- Overlooking the language requirements—failing to clearly state proficiency in German, English, and French, as this is critical for patient interactions.
- Focusing solely on clinical skills without addressing the scientific tasks (e.g., case reports, guideline updates), which are a key part of the role.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute!