Postdoctoral Researcher / Postdoctoral Researcheress

Postdoctoral Researcher - Advancing Agent-Based Models for Digital Twins of Mobility

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Center for Sustainable Future Mobility at ETH and work on the Innovation Project funded by Innosuisse. The researcher will focus on further developing eqasim and MATSim tools, enabling the use of real-time transport data streams and collaborating with a unique group of practitioners to create state-of-the-art regional transport models, thereby establishing cutting-edge methodologies for transport policy evaluation.

Project Background

The Innovation Project, in collaboration with three implementation partners (Transports publics genevois, Transports publics de la région lausannoise, Ville de Lausanne), seeks to develop an open-source collaborative platform for mobility analysis and forecasting. This platform will introduce several innovations:

• Utilization of state-of-the-art mobility data
• Automation of data import
• Enabling mobility data analysis
• Automating calibration
• Studying the complex integration of public transport with other modes
• Policy-oriented visualization

The project will employ state-of-the-art agent-based mobility simulation (MATSim) and national ORD infrastructure, along with the Open Digital Twin Platform, to facilitate robust mobility digital twin development. It aims to create social and economic value by providing advanced transport modeling tools to a broader audience in a cost-effective manner. The approach will be applied to Geneva, with tpg as the implementation partner, while the Lausanne agglomeration will demonstrate generalizability and transferability with the Ville de Lausanne and tl as the implementation partners.

Job Description

This Postdoctoral Researcher position includes the following key responsibilities:

• Further develop a synthetic demand generation framework for scenario-based agent-based model development (e.g., seasonality, day of the week) using real-time passenger and vehicle data streams collected by tpg and tl.
• Enhance agent-based simulation to enable more accurate public transport modeling.
• Establish and document standards for agent-based model development and validation in collaboration with the group of practitioners.
• Contribute to the development of regional models for Geneva and Lausanne.
• Publish innovations in journals and present at conferences.
• Collaborate closely with other postdoctoral researchers working on the project.
• Supervise research assistants contributing to the project.

This is a full-time position for 18 months (with a review after 12 months) and the possibility of extension. The ideal start date is 01.03.2025.

Profile

• PhD degree in computer science, data science, physics, or engineering
• Strong knowledge of Java and Python
• Proficiency in eqasim or other activity-based models and/or the MATSim tool
• Languages: English; French is a plus
• Passion for open science and open data
• Ability to work in a team, strong problem-solving skills, and the capability to self-organize and take personal responsibility for task fulfillment

Workplace

ETH Zurich provides an independent and modern working environment, fostering the freedom to develop your research ideas. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers at CSFM and ETH, as well as with practitioners within the project. Furthermore, you will be encouraged to participate in international conferences.

We Value Diversity

In line with our values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We advocate for equality of opportunity, value diversity, and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to learn how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Curious? So Are We.

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About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing 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.