100%, Zurich, fixed-term
Over the last few decades, the prevalence of drug-induced fatal car accidents has drastically increased. In the US, for example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 56% of the injured or killed roadway participants tested positive for substances. The most prevalent drug was cannabis, accounting for 25% of these cases. As the legalization of cannabis continues to progress globally, urgent measures are needed to prevent a potential rise in such accidents.
In light of these challenges, we seek a candidate with a strong desire to make a meaningful impact. Our objective is to design, implement, and evaluate a cannabis-impaired driving detection and prevention system as part of the Revelio initiative. Building on prior studies recognized for their contributions (ETH medal, CHI Best Paper Award), we will conduct a real-world study where subjects are influenced by cannabis while performing pre-driving tests and driving tasks on a test track. Our aim is to develop and evaluate a robust cannabis-driving detection model for both pre-driving and driving contexts. Ultimately, we aspire to create a scalable digital biomarker platform for in-vehicle driver state detection, contributing to the long-term goal of Vision Zero—eliminating traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries.
This role contributes to the broader field of digital health. We are offering the position of 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 collaborate closely with Prof. Wolfgang Weinmann (Forensic Toxicology, University of Bern). The position is set to commence on July 1, 2025, with flexibility regarding the start date. ETH Zürich offers a highly competitive salary and excellent working conditions.
As part of an interdisciplinary team at the intersection of applied machine learning, behavioral science, forensic toxicology, and automotive safety, you will contribute to the development of robust, real-time models for detecting and preventing impaired driving. Your work will be pivotal 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, including model generalization, adversarial robustness, and regulatory compliance, paving the way for adoption by automotive manufacturers and stakeholders, including Swiss and international road safety authorities.
You will also be engaged in promotional activities to enhance community awareness of your work through conferences, workshops, keynotes, seminars, and social media engagement. Additionally, you will work on grant proposals, study protocols, and publications for high-quality, peer-reviewed outlets (e.g., ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Lancet Digital Health, npj Digital Medicine). Involvement in teaching activities is also expected.
We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:
ETH Zürich is committed to maintaining a work environment that encourages professional growth and development. We support a diverse and inclusive culture that values equality of opportunity and nurtures the rights and dignity of all staff and students.
If you are interested in the position and would like to be part of a highly motivated, young team, we invite you to apply online using the form below. Please ensure that your application includes the following documents:
Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. For questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Felix Wortmann ().
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 consider our university a place that fosters independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe while forging connections globally, we collaborate to develop solutions for today's and tomorrow's global challenges.
Location : Zürich
Country : Switzerland