100%, Zurich, fixed-term
The Chair of Infrastructure Management, led by Professor Dr. Bryan T. Adey at the Institute of Construction and Infrastructure Management (IBI) within the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG), is seeking a dedicated researcher focused on data and process analysis to facilitate digitalized railway operations.
Safe and efficient railway systems traditionally rely on centralized control and human-in-the-loop monitoring of their components. However, this necessitates substantial resources for network operation. Operators responsible for implementing system developments using innovative technologies must meet safety requirements for scalable, well-documented solutions to secure regulatory approval. This often involves managing approximately 50-80 interconnected documents for the development of a new system, depending on the complexity of the technology. Throughout the lengthy development process, adjustments may be required, necessitating changes to interdependent documentation to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards. Such changes can trigger cascading effects across the entire project, potentially increasing costs and causing delays, thereby hindering innovation within the railway system.
The new ETH project, ProCargo, co-funded by the Swiss Federal Railways via the ETH Mobility Initiative, aims to enhance processes in rail system development to unlock efficiency gains, with particular focus on the cargo sector. The optimal use of digital tools within system development facilitates a more effective and efficient process. By leveraging tools such as large language models, this project will extract insights from system developers' documentation to assist them and propose modifications accordingly. This approach supports digital planners in gaining clarity over interdependencies and ensuring coherence across documents while guaranteeing a safe rail system. Ultimately, this will streamline the development process for system developers and benefit society through the faster implementation of safe system advancements.
Within this project, ETH Zurich will identify potential process changes and preliminarily assess the benefits associated with integrating digital tools and the corresponding procedural modifications to facilitate a smoother adoption of innovative system developments.
The successful candidate will undertake responsibilities that align with the project's vision, including:
The successful candidate will collaborate closely with another researcher and the Development Systems Engineering team at SBB Cargo. Depending on the applicant's interests and available funding opportunities, this could evolve into a doctoral position.
The ideal candidate will hold a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field, with a strong interest in data and process analysis, specifically in the development of rail systems. Familiarity with existing system development processes and enthusiasm for learning about artificial intelligence tools, such as large language models, will be advantageous. While English is the primary working language, proficiency in German is considered a valuable asset for this project. Excellent communication and presentation skills are essential.
ETH Zurich is a globally recognized university specializing in science and technology, known for its outstanding education and innovative research. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes independent thinking and inspires excellence among our diverse community of over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries.
Emphasizing our commitment to inclusivity, ETH Zurich actively promotes equality of opportunity and values diversity. We strive to cultivate a working and learning environment that respects the rights and dignity of all staff and students. For more information on our initiatives, please visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website.
We encourage you to apply online using the form below. Please ensure your application is submitted by August 31, 2025, and includes the following documents: a letter of interest, a publication in which you were the first author, a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications and contact information for at least two referees), and transcripts of all university courses undertaken along with diplomas. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For further information about the position, please contact Ms. Natalie Dietrich at dietrich@ibi.baug.ethz.ch (please note that no applications will be accepted via email) and visit our website for more details.
Screening of applications will begin on September 1, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Starting date: The preferred start date is October 1, 2025, although alternate dates may be considered.
ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading institutions in science and technology, celebrated for its rigorous education and groundbreaking research that directly benefits society. Set in Europe's heart, we strive to collaborate globally to address the pressing challenges of today and tomorrow.
Location : Zürich
Country : Switzerland