Student Research Assistant in Bridge Monitoring, Computer Vision & Data Science

ETH Zurich; Zürich; On-site; CHF 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary according to ETH Zurich rates

Access to HPC resources

On-site workplace at Hönggerberg

Hands-on bridge monitoring experience

Supervision by international team

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

ETH Zurich’s Chair of Structural Mechanics & Monitoring in Zurich seeks a motivated Student Research Assistant to support the SwissBWIM project. The role focuses on bridge load identification and condition assessment using multi-modal data and advanced computer vision techniques.

You will work on data preprocessing, traffic video analysis, and integrating vehicle trajectories with bridge responses to assess structural behavior and performance.

Qualifications

• Enrolled at a university in Zurich or the nearby area.
• Background in civil/structural engineering, mechanical engineering, data science, computer science, or related fields.
• Experience or strong interest in two or more areas: bridge engineering, structural dynamics, sensing systems, data analysis and machine learning, or computer vision (object detection, tracking, localization).
• Familiar with Python programming. MATLAB and Linux are advantages.
• Can dedicate 15 hours per week to the project.
• Proficient in English; working language is English.

Responsibilities

• Multi-modal data preprocessing: synchronising measurements and cleaning faulty data.
• Traffic video analysis: deep-learning-based vehicle detection and tracking; data labelling; model fine-tuning.

Skills

Structural engineering

Signal processing

Data science

Computer vision

Python

MATLAB

Linux

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Linux

Job description

Student Research Assistant in Bridge Monitoring, Computer Vision & Data Science

The Chair of Structural Mechanics & Monitoring, led by Prof. Eleni Chatzi, conducts research at the intersection of structural engineering, sensing, data science, and artificial intelligence for infrastructure monitoring.

We are looking for a Student Research Assistant with a background in structural engineering, signal processing, data science, computer vision, or related fields to support our ongoing SwissBWIM project. The project combines bridge structural monitoring and traffic monitoring data to identify vehicle loads and assess the structural condition and performance of highway bridges.

Project background

Our project, “SWISS-BWIM: Multi-functional bridge loads and condition assessment,” develops robust and cost-efficient methods for bridge load identification and condition assessment based on the Bridge Weigh-in-Motion (B-WIM) concept.

B-WIM uses sensors installed directly on bridges to estimate the loads of passing vehicles from the bridge response they induce. The same monitoring data can also provide information on structural behaviour and condition. By combining identified traffic loads with structural response, the project aims to derive performance indicators such as dynamic amplification factors, response envelopes, and load-response relationships, and ultimately support the identification of abnormal behaviour and potential damage.

We have completed monitoring-system installations on several highway bridges in Switzerland and are continuously collecting large-scale, multi-modal datasets, including bridge acceleration, strain and displacement measurements, environmental data, and traffic videos.

The Student Research Assistant will work with an analysis framework which has been developed by our Chair to process and integrate these datasets. Depending on background and interest, there will also be opportunities to develop and test new methods for traffic-load identification, computer-vision-based traffic monitoring, and structural health monitoring under the supervision of experienced researchers

The main tasks include:

• Multi-modal data preprocessing: synchronising measurements from different sensing systems, identifying and cleaning faulty data, and improving data organisation and storage.
• Traffic video analysis: applying deep-learning-based computer vision methods for vehicle detection and tracking; manually labelling data and fine-tuning models where needed; and using camera calibration and geometric transformation to determine vehicle locations and trajectories on the bridge.
• Bridge Weigh-in-Motion analysis: fusing vehicle trajectories with bridge acceleration, strain and displacement measurements to estimate traffic loads.
• Structural monitoring: analysing structural and environmental measurements to extract key performance indicators and investigate changes in bridge behaviour and structural condition.
• Integrated condition assessment: combining identified traffic loads with structural response indicators to support more comprehensive assessment of bridge performance and condition.

Please note that the methods required to complete most of the tasks above have already been developed by our Chair. Depending on the candidate’s background and interests, there will also be opportunities to develop and test new methods.

Profile

We are looking for a motivated student who can contribute to several of the areas above. Ideally, you:

• Are currently enrolled at a university in Zurich or the nearby area.
• Have a background in civil/structural engineering, mechanical engineering, data science, computer science, or a related field.
• Have experience or strong interest in two or more of the following:
  • bridge engineering, structural dynamics, or system identification;
  • sensing systems and signal processing;
  • data analysis and machine learning;
  • computer vision, particularly object detection, tracking, or localisation.
• Are familiar with Python programming. Experience with MATLAB and Linux is an advantage.
• Can dedicate 15 hours per week to the project.
• Enjoy working on real-world engineering problems and developing practical, data-driven solutions.
• Are proficient in English. The working language of our group is English.

Please note that you are not expected to have prior experience in all of the areas listed above. We particularly welcome applicants who have a strong foundation in two or more of them and are motivated to learn the others.

We offer

• Salary in accordance with ETH Zurich’s standard rates for student assistants.
• Access to sufficient computational resources, including CPU and GPU computing on Euler, ETH Zurich's high-performance computing cluster.
• A workplace in our offices on the ETH Zurich Hönggerberg campus.
• Hands-on experience with real-world bridge monitoring systems and large-scale multi-modal datasets.
• Close supervision and the opportunity to work at the intersection of structural engineering, sensing, computer vision, and data science.
• A collaborative and international research environment within the Chair of Structural Mechanics & Monitoring.

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 .

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

Further information about our research group can be found on the website of the Chair of Structural Mechanics & Monitoring. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Xudong Jian, [e-mail] (no application).

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