PhD Position Movement Biomarkers in Stroke Recovery

Master in Integrated Building Systems ETH Zürich; Zürich; Vor Ort; CHF 60.000 - 90.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Remote work options

Supervision and mentoring

Collaborative interdisciplinary team

Zusammenfassung

The Lake Lucerne Institute (LLUI) at ETH Zurich invites applications for a PhD student position focusing on upper-limb markerless motion capture, movement classification, and outcome modelling in stroke populations. You will help develop scalable biomechanical assessment systems for clinical and research use.

Join a small, interdisciplinary team and collaborate across Europe to advance data-driven rehabilitation solutions, with opportunities for remote work and professional development.

Qualifikationen

• Master’s degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Vision, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Health Science, Biomedicine, Physio- or Occupational Therapy, or a related field.
• Experience with study design, scientific methods, and statistical modelling.
• Strong programming skills in Python, C#, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of machine learning or deep learning.

Aufgaben

• Upper-limb markerless kinematics development and validation (50%).
• Translate kinematic outputs into clinician-friendly formats.
• Scientific writing and dissemination.
• Generate and implement synthetic data.

Kenntnisse

Experience with computer vision for

Python, C# or equivalent language

Basic knowledge of machine learning or

Strong communication skills in English

Ausbildung

Master’s degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Vision, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Health Science, Biomedicine, Physio- or Occupational Therapy, or a related field.

Tools

Containerization workflows

Version control workflows

Exposure to musculoskeletal modelling

Jobbeschreibung

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

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The Lake Lucerne Institute (LLUI) is an independent, non-profit research and education institute based in Vitznau, Switzerland, committed to developing and implementing technological solutions that improve rehabilitation outcomes and bridge the gap between theory and practice. Within the Therapy Science Lab, our research focuses on ubiquitous rehabilitation—aligning interventions with a patient’s clinical state, lesion characteristics, and multimodal biomarkers to optimize therapeutic effectiveness, across the pathway of care. This research axis is embedded in the CEREBRIS project, an EIC Pathfinder Open initiative conducted by a consortium of 14 European partners. We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student interested in research in upper limb marker less motion capture, movement classification, outcome modelling in stroke populations, and synthetic data evaluation. The position offers the opportunity to advance and deploy scalable biomechanical assessment systems in clinical and research environments, directly contributing to patient-centered rehabilitation planning and service optimization. Beyond strengthening your scientific and methodological expertise, you will gain experience in clinically grounded research that connects neurorehabilitation, movement science, and data-driven approaches. By project completion, the broader CEREBRIS technology is expected to reach Technology Readiness Level 4, corresponding to validated laboratory demonstration.

Project background

The CEREBRIS project aims to establish a novel, data-driven framework for the management of neurological diseases, with an initial focus on stroke. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence methodologies with clinically meaningful digital biomarkers, the consortium seeks to transform the stroke care pathway—from early diagnosis and targeted treatment decisions to continuous monitoring and outcome prediction. The project encompasses the development of several interlinked applications including an automated motor function interface utilizing marker less 3D motion capture (AxoMotris). CEREBRIS offers the opportunity to contribute to an interdisciplinary European research project at the interface of neurorehabilitation, movement analysis, multimodal data, and AI-supported stroke care. Within the AxoMotris part of CEREBRIS, the PhD candidate will focus on identifying movement biomarkers relevant to stroke recovery using clinical and sensor-based data. The position provides exposure to multimodal clinical and laboratory-based data acquisition, collaboration with computer scientists, engineers, clinicians, and translational researchers across Europe, and insight into how digital health technologies are developed, evaluated, and prepared for clinical translation.

Job Description

Your responsibilities will include:

• Upper-limb marker less kinematics (50%) – Contribute to development and validation of multi-view (primary) and monocular (secondary) marker less motion capture pipelines, and a quality assurance framework for kinematic datasets.


• Clinical interpretable information (20%) – Assist in translating kinematic outputs into clinician-interpretable formats.


• Scientific writing and dissemination (20%)


• Synthetic data (10%) – Support generation and implementation of synthetic data.

Profile

We are looking for a motivated and committed candidate who brings:

Mandatory skills

• Experience with computer vision for motion analysis


• Master’s degree in Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Vision, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Health Science, Biomedicine, Physio- or Occupational Therapy, or a related field.


• Understanding of study design, scientific methods, and statistical modelling


• Python, C# or equivalent language expertise


• Basic knowledge of machine learning or deep learning

Desirable Skills

• Exposure to musculoskeletal modelling


• Familiarity with containerization or version control workflows


• Interest in regulatory AI reporting frameworks


• Interest in synthetic data generation


• Personal Profile


• Reliability and structured work


• Strong communication skills in English (oral and writing)


• Enthusiastic, friendly, and communicative approach to work

Workplace

We offer

Joining LLUI means becoming part of a small, motivated team of researchers committed to closing the gap between theory and practice. You will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment in one of Switzerland’s most distinctive research settings, on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Vitznau. LLUI offers a unique and stimulating work environment that combines world-class rehabilitation practice with cutting-edge research, together with access to research infrastructure, data, and expertise at the interface of healthcare, technology, and science. You will be directly integrated into an interdisciplinary clinical research environment with clinical and technical partners, and you will have the opportunity to contribute to research with potential impact on patient care and rehabilitation practices. In addition, LLUI provides supervision and mentoring to support your professional development, a modern and flexible working culture including remote work options, genuine room to take initiative and help shape the direction of your field, as well as competitive compensation in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We are committed to equality

LLUI is committed to equality in general and gender equality in particular. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of origin, gender, age, or background. Our commitments are set out in our Gender Equality Plan.

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We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

Further information about the Lake Lucerne Institute (LLUI), can be found on our website.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.