Postdoctoral position for research in mobile/wearable cardiac solutions and signals

Postdoctoral position for research in mobile/wearable cardiac solutions and signals

80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term

Prof. Dr. Carlo Menon, Professor at ETH Zurich and Director of the Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology Lab, is looking for a postdoctoral candidate with expertise in mobile and wearable solutions for monitoring the cardiac cycle. The research would explore novel solutions, which may include but not be limited to:

• electrocardiography (ECG)-based patches and e-textiles,
• mechanocardiography (MCG)-based wearables,
• blood-pressure monitoring via unobtrusive technology,
• remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) from mobile cameras, and
• user-friendly mobile ultrasound devices.

Applications include sport and health. The candidate is to teach subjects related to biosignal processing.

Project background

Your research will aim to conceive and design innovative solutions for monitoring people’s health. The research will focus on developing new solutions, algorithms and methods to assist individuals, physicians and sport coaches to effortlessly and continuously monitor heart- and cardiovascular-related biomarkers. We are looking for someone who can think creatively and can generate innovative solutions in this field. If you have an interest in applying your fundamental knowledge in, but not limited to, signal processing, computer engineering, or computer science towards producing relevant and impactful health-monitoring mobile/wearable solutions, then please apply!

The research will be highly collaborative; you should be eager to learn new science and technologies as well as contribute to the group through knowledge transfer of your expertise. We are interested in applications spanning fitness, sport, affective science and medicine.

Job description

Do you have expertise in ECG, ultrasound, PPG, seismocardiography (SCG), gyrocardiography (GCG), blood pressure monitoring solutions or other related fields? Do you have experience in collecting and processing data related to the cardiac cycle? Have you implemented or contributed to the development of novel methods for processing cardiovascular signals? Are you interested in proposing and promoting new studies to validate new hypotheses and technologies? Are you interested in wearable devices and mobile solutions/applications? Are you curious about exploring new fields that may emerge from your research? If yes, then please apply!

We expect you to:

• keep up to date with relevant literature to recognize potential new avenues of research;
• produce multiple high-level publications;
• explore and present new ideas to Prof. Menon and the research group regularly (projects with the highest potential will be decided upon with the help of Prof. Menon);
• be independent in planning, executing, writing/communicating, and presenting your research (support will be available from Prof. Menon and the research group as required);
• assist in attracting BSc/MSc students to the lab and mentoring their projects;
• take an active role in managing small pilot studies where data may need to be collected;
• strengthen relationships with collaborators and explore possibilities for initiating new studies;
• apply for ethics approvals as needed;
• take an active role in grant writing; and
• train BSc/MSc students while assisting the lab in meeting its research goals, following its prescribed protocols and achieving its targets.

Overall, about 30% of your time will be devoted to supporting the lab in teaching and managing resources. We encourage growth as a scientist and academic; we aim to publish high-impact peer reviewed publications and develop patents for potential commercialization. Note that research with innovation potential will have the full backing of Prof. Menon and ETH Zurich. As a postdoc at ETH Zurich, you would be a paid employee of the university. Please see the ETH Zurich postdoctoral candidate website for information. You will receive benefits including social security contributions, subsidized fitness club/gym membership, and plenty of support for future career planning.

Your profile

We are looking for outstanding candidates with the ambition to make revolutionary scientific and technological contributions. Ideal candidates would be excellent researchers and excellent communicators able to work well in team. We are looking for creative individuals who can propose novel ideas, concepts and translate an idea to impactful, tangible results.

You must bring the following:

• you have a PhD degree (or plan to complete one soon);
• you are enthusiastic about pursuing an academic career;
• you have skills and knowledge relevant to the research outlined in this job description;
• you are a good English speaker and writer (the lab’s working language);
• you can describe the knowledge/skills gap you need to fill to succeed in your research;
• you have a background in signal processing or related discipline;
• you have strong communication skills; and
• you have a strong publication track record.

We would like you to bring the following competencies in line with ETH Zurich’s values:

• you act responsibly;
• you nurture well-being, i.e. by managing your own resources sustainably;
• you drive innovation, i.e. by
• being courageous, open and curious,
• being flexible and adaptable to change, and
• exploring new ideas, solutions and technologies;
• you live inclusivity, i.e. by treating all people equitably;
• you build bridges, i.e. by
• communicating effectively,
• seeking opportunities to collaborate; and
• you enable people, i.e. by contributing to a culture in which failures are dealt with constructively.

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

You will be conducting your postdoctoral research where the fields of physiology, signal processing, artificial intelligence, edge computing, biomedical engineering, and technology for wearable/mobile technologies meet, at one of the world’s leading universities focusing on research and technology. ETH Zurich offers outstanding employment conditions for postdoctoral research fellows.

You will be academically supervised by Prof. Dr. Carlo Menon at ETH Zurich. Professor Menon has a strong publication record and has founded two start-up companies. His group is a team of imaginative builders who use their knowledge in materials science, engineering, computer science, and medicine to find bold, creative solutions to real-world problems. Prof. Menon’s lab is located in the Balgrist Campus, designed to foster collaboration. Built in 2016, the building’s open architecture is geared towards interdisciplinary research to promote innovation, research translation, and increase impact. The facility houses rapid prototyping machines, exoskeletons, instrumented treadmills, two MRI systems, two CT scan machines, wet labs, and characterization systems, among other equipment.

We value diversity

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• a two-page cover letter describing
• why you want to pursue a future academic career,
• why you are interested in this type of research,
• at least one example of an applied project where you had a significant contribution, and
• why you think you are the best fit for this position;
• a one-page research proposal. The key words are:
• cardiovascular,
• signal processing, and
• wearables or mobile devices/applications;
• a detailed CV including any scientific publications, awards, prizes, achievements;
• both undergraduate and graduate official transcripts, accompanied by an English translation where applicable;
• a copy of your Master’s and/or PhD degree or proof of enrolment and expected date of completion; and
• a list with contact details of at least three professors/supervisors as references.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology Lab at ETH Zurich can be found on our website.

For further information, please contact Ms. Veronika Hall Abraham, email veronika.hallabraham@hest.ethz.ch (no applications).

About ETH Zürich

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• a two-page cover letter describing
• why you want to pursue a future academic career,
• why you are interested in this type of research,
• at least one example of an applied project where you had a significant contribution, and
• why you think you are the best fit for this position;
• a one-page research proposal. The key words are:
• cardiovascular,
• signal processing, and
• wearables or mobile devices/applications;
• a detailed CV including any scientific publications, awards, prizes, achievements;
• both undergraduate and graduate official transcripts, accompanied by an English translation where applicable;
• a copy of your Master’s and/or PhD degree or proof of enrolment and expected date of completion; and
• a list with contact details of at least three professors/supervisors as references.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

Further information about the Biomedical and Mobile Health Technology Lab at ETH Zurich can be found on our website.

For further information, please contact Ms. Veronika Hall Abraham, email veronika.hallabraham@hest.ethz.ch (no applications).