Join the Biomedical Data Science Lab
The Biomedical Data Science (BMDS) Lab is dedicated to exploring data-driven solutions for healthcare applications, particularly focusing on neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI), lower back pain, neuro-degenerative disorders, and neurological tumors. Our research thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together expertise from medicine, biology, computer science, and data science. We are seeking a Scientific Assistant to join our expanding team and contribute to our research partnerships. The anticipated start date for this role is March 1, 2026.
About the Project
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) entails significant, lifelong consequences for individuals and their families. A primary challenge in predicting long-term recovery lies in the substantial variability in patient outcomes, which traditional clinical assessments often fail to capture fully. Standard neurological evaluations alone do not adequately reflect underlying biological and functional diversity, diminishing both prediction accuracy and treatment effectiveness.
This project aims to bridge this gap by integrating neurological assessments with neurophysiological measurements and routine blood biomarkers, utilizing advanced machine learning techniques to merge these diverse data sources. Our goal is to identify the most informative clinical features to provide more accurate recovery predictions, facilitating improved patient stratification, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies.
Key Responsibilities
- Explore and Manage SCI Datasets: Work with international databases of SCI patient data, ensuring accurate handling, preprocessing, and integration of heterogeneous clinical, neurophysiological, and biomarker information.
- Develop Advanced Deep Learning Models: Design and implement a multi-branch neural network capable of integrating multiple data modalities into a unified representation.
- Implement a Multi-Task Learning Framework: Build and evaluate models that predict multiple, related recovery outcomes simultaneously, leveraging shared information between tasks to enhance performance and interpretability.
Your Profile
- You hold a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
- You possess strong Python programming skills and a proven record in developing and training machine and deep learning models using Keras/TensorFlow and/or PyTorch, alongside statistical data analysis experience.
- You are familiar with collaborative coding practices, version control (e.g., Git), and working on computing clusters.
- Experience with SCI data or related research topics is advantageous.
- A background in biomedical projects and interdisciplinary collaboration is a plus.
- You are motivated to collaborate within a diverse team and committed to scientific excellence in your field.
- You are proficient in both written and spoken English.
What We Offer
- A 1-year project-based contract at the BMDS Lab (80% workload).
- A stimulating, collaborative environment within ETH Zurich, one of the world’s premier institutions for science and technology.
- The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge biomedical data science with direct clinical relevance.
- Opportunities to enhance your skills in data science, machine learning, and neuroinformatics through applications related to critical health conditions, particularly focusing on SCI.
- Be part of a highly motivated, multidisciplinary, and collaborative team.
- Learn from experts in the field and contribute to an active research lab.
Application Process
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.
For further information about the BMDS Lab, please visit our website.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Olga Taran via email at olga.taran@hest.ethz.ch (no applications).