Over the past few decades, the prevalence of drug-induced fatal car accidents has sharply increased. In the United States, for example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 56% of the injured or deceased roadway participants tested positive for drugs, with cannabis being the most prevalent at 25%. As the legalization of cannabis accelerates globally, it is imperative to implement urgent measures to mitigate the inevitable rise in such accidents.
In light of these challenges, we seek an individual driven by a strong desire to make a meaningful impact. Our goal is to design, implement, and evaluate a cannabis-impaired driving detection and prevention system as part of the Revelio initiative. Building on well-recognized previous studies (ETH medal, CHI Best Paper Award), we will conduct a real-world study with participants under the influence of cannabis while performing pre-driving tests and driving tasks on a test track. We will develop and evaluate a robust model for detecting cannabis impairment both before and during driving. Ultimately, our objective is to create a scalable digital biomarker platform for in-vehicle driver state detection, contributing to the long-term aim of Vision Zero: eliminating traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries.
The selected candidate will contribute to the broader field of digital health. We offer a position as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Management, Technology, and Economics (MTEC) at ETH Zürich within the Centre for Digital Health Interventions. You will lead the Revelio initiative and co-supervise two PhD students in close collaboration with Prof. Elgar Fleisch (ETH Zürich) and Prof. Felix Wortmann (University of St. Gallen). The project is funded for three years by the Swiss Road Safety Fund (Fonds für Verkehrssicherheit) and will be conducted alongside Prof. Wolfgang Weinmann (Forensic Toxicology, University of Bern). The position is set to begin on July 1st, 2025, with flexibility regarding the start date. ETH Zürich offers a highly competitive salary along with outstanding working conditions.
As part of an interdisciplinary team that intersects applied machine learning, behavioral science, forensic toxicology, and automotive safety, you will play a crucial role in developing real-time models for detecting and preventing impaired driving. Your contributions will be integral in integrating novel in-vehicle sensing approaches and AI-driven interventions into next-generation automotive systems. To ensure real-world impact, your research must address critical challenges such as model generalization, adversarial robustness, and regulatory compliance, thereby paving the way for adoption by automotive manufacturers and stakeholders, including Swiss and international road safety authorities.
You will engage in promotional activities to enhance community awareness of your work through conferences, workshops, keynote presentations, seminars, and social media. Additionally, you will work on grant proposals, study protocols, and publications for esteemed peer-reviewed outlets (e.g., ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Lancet Digital Health, npj Digital Medicine). Teaching responsibilities will also be part of your role.
We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:
Join us at ETH Zürich, a leading university dedicated to science and technology. We not only support your professional development but also contribute actively to positive societal change. We believe in sustainability and climate neutrality, providing numerous benefits such as public transport season tickets, car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by ASVZ, childcare support, and attractive pension benefits.
ETH Zurich is committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We promote equal opportunities, value diversity, and nurture an environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn more about how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to excel.
If you are interested in this opportunity and would like to be part of a highly motivated, dynamic team, we welcome you to apply online using the form below. Please ensure that your application aligns with the job profile, as only applications matching these criteria will be considered.
ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our outstanding education, cutting-edge research, and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. With over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, our university fosters independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe and connected globally, we work collaboratively to devise solutions to today's and tomorrow's global challenges.
Location : Zürich
Country : Switzerland