University of Zurich

Open Opportunities

PhD student (Electrical Engineering) wanted: Non-invasive 3D imaging of the head of newborns with near-infrared light University of Zurich Biomedical Optics Laboratory We will build an imager based on near-infrared optical tomography (NIROT) that is able to non-invasively image brain oxygenation in preterm and term neonates. Wanted: Ph.D. student: an electrical engineer/physicist with a Masters Degree and profound knowledge in hardware (PCB design, FPGA, optical components) and software (C, C++, Matlab, VHDL) engineering. Biomedical Engineering PhD Placement

Golf Swing University of Zurich Research in Orthopedic Computer Science The repetitive and high-impact nature of the golf swing may contribute to lower spine degeneration and chronic low back pain. This project aims to analyze the biomechanical loading of the lumbar spine during the golf swings through advanced motion capture and modeling techniques. A high-fidelity golf simulator combined with a mobile phone-based motion capture system will be used to evaluate swing mechanics. In Part A, state-of-the-art pose estimation models will be tested for their accuracy in extracting 3D motion data from monocular videos. In part B, biomechanical analysis will integrate pose data into an individualized OpenSim model to estimate spinal joint reaction forces and muscle activity. The ultimate goal is to develop a smartphone-based tool capable of real-time swing analysis to provide insight into injury prevention and technique optimization for golfers. Artificial Intelligence and Signal and Image Processing, Biomechanical Engineering Master Thesis

Advancing Space Navigation and Landing with Event-Based Camera in collaboration with the European Space Agency University of Zurich Robotics and Perception In this project, you will investigate the use of event-based cameras for vision-based landing on celestial bodies such as Mars or the Moon. Engineering and Technology Master Thesis

Time-continuous Facial Motion Capture Using Event Cameras University of Zurich Robotics and Perception Traditional facial motion capture systems, including marker-based methods and multi-camera rigs, often struggle to capture fine details such as micro-expressions and subtle wrinkles. While learning-based techniques using monocular RGB images have improved tracking fidelity, their temporal resolution remains limited by conventional camera frame rates. Event-based cameras present a compelling solution, offering superior temporal resolution without the cost and complexity of high-speed RGB cameras. This project explores the potential of event-based cameras to enhance facial motion tracking, enabling the precise capture of subtle facial dynamics over time. Engineering and Technology Bachelor Thesis, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Mapping spruce density using aerial imagery and deep learning ETH Zurich Forest Resources Management Other organizations: EcoVision Lab Climate change is increasing tree mortality due to drought and biotic infestations, but current detection methods are limited by data availability and low transferability. This study aims to use deep learning with true color near-infrared RGBI aerial imagery to detect spruce mortality in mixed forests. By integrating field inventories and RGB imagery, the method will be analyzed using R or ArcGIS Pro to accurately assess vegetation conditions. Environmental Sciences, Geomatic Engineering, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences Master Thesis, Semester Project

Investigating cells mechanical properties via Fluidic Force Microscopy in a 2D autoimmune skin disease model ETH Zurich Biosensors and Bioelectronics (LBB) The remarkable complexity of morphogenesis and tissue regeneration implies the existence of a transcellular communication network in which individual cells sense the environment and coordinate their biological activity in time and space. To understand the fascinating ability of tissue self-organization, comprehensive study of biophysical properties (cellular nanomechanics such as tension forces and bioelectromagnetics) in combination with the analysis of biochemical networks (signaling pathways and genetic circuits) is required. In this framework we are investigating the unacknowledged key role of Desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) as a receptor involved in mechanosensing, capable of initiating a signaling response in the transcellular communication network, which results in stem cell fate conversion, plasticity and tissue repair. Our goal is to apply innovative Fluidic Force Microscopy to measure altered biophysical parameters upon disruption of Dsg3 transadhesion such as cell stiffness, cell-cell adhesion, cell surface charges and electric potentials. Together with the University of Bern and University of Lübeck we are further investigating how these biophysical changes relate to transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic response circuits to ultimately infer biophysical and biochemical circuits involved in Dsg3 signaling. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences, Physics Bachelor Thesis, ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project

Investigating cells mechanical properties via Fluidic Force Microscopy in a 2D in-vitro autoimmune skin disease model ETH Zurich Biosensors and Bioelectronics (LBB) The remarkable complexity of morphogenesis and tissue regeneration implies the existence of a transcellular communication network in which individual cells sense the environment and coordinate their biological activity in time and space. To understand the fascinating ability of tissue self-organization, comprehensive study of biophysical properties (cellular nanomechanics such as tension forces and bioelectromagnetics) in combination with the analysis of biochemical networks (signaling pathways and genetic circuits) is required. In this framework we are investigating the unacknowledged key role of Desmoglein 3 (Dsg3) as a receptor involved in mechanosensing, capable of initiating a signaling response in the transcellular communication network, which results in stem cell fate conversion, plasticity and tissue repair. Our goal is to apply innovative Fluidic Force Microscopy to measure altered biophysical parameters upon disruption of Dsg3 transadhesion such as cell stiffness, cell-cell adhesion, cell surface charges and electric potentials. Together with the University of Bern and University of Lübeck we are further investigating how these biophysical changes relate to transcriptomic, epigenomic and proteomic response circuits to ultimately infer biophysical and biochemical circuits involved in Dsg3 signaling. Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences, Physics Bachelor Thesis, ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Master Thesis, Semester Project

Better Scaling Laws for Neuromorphic Systems University of Zurich Robotics and Perception This project explores and extends the novel "deep state-space models" framework by leveraging their transfer function representations. Engineering and Technology, Information, Computing and Communication Sciences, Mathematical Sciences Master Thesis, Semester Project

Prioritization of Quality Requirements in Decentralized Identity Applications University of Zurich Communication Systems Quality requirements or non-functional requirements (NFR) are frequently described from the perspective of an organization that requires a software system to address a specific problem and achieve organizational goals. This approach is business-oriented and primarily reflects business goals. However, to design a user-centric system, the goals should be considered beyond the interests of a single organization and accurately reflect the perspective of users instead. Software Engineering Master Thesis

Electrical Flow-Based Graph Embeddings for Event-based Vision and other downstream tasks University of Zurich Robotics and Perception This project explores a novel approach to graph embeddings using electrical flow computations. Artificial Intelligence and Signal and Image Processing, Knowledge Representation and Machine Learning, Mathematics Master Thesis