PhD Researcher in Digital Health and Rehabilitation Technology

Develop an AI-powered mobile app and conversational agent to support home-based stroke rehabilitation using soft robotics.

Best for:Best for computer science or software engineering graduates with strong machine learning, app development, and conversational AI interests.

ETH Zürich · Singapore, Singapore · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at ETH Zürich

Digital HealthConversational AgentsNeurorehabilitationMobile Application DevelopmentRehabilitation Robotics

Deadline

Until filled

rolling

Funding

—

fixed-term

Start date

flexible

Fixed-term

Location

Singapore

Overview

This PhD position is part of the Future Health Technologies Programme at the Singapore-ETH Centre, bridging ETH Zurich with regional partners like Nanyang Technological University and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The research centers on scaling up a technology-supported clinic-to-home rehabilitation framework by integrating a soft robotic hand exoskeleton with a digital health platform and an LLM-based conversational agent. The successful candidate will design requirements, develop and validate the cross-platform mobile app and AI conversational tools, interface the software with physical rehabilitation hardware, and execute a clinical trial. The role expects close collaboration with a second PhD student focusing on exoskeleton hardware, active engagement with clinicians and post-stroke patients, and dissemination of findings in top-tier venues.

PhDDigital HealthLLMMobile HealthRehabilitation RoboticsMachine LearningStroke Rehabilitation

What you'll do

Define technical and functional requirements for a digital health platform and LLM-based conversational agent using literature insights and clinical feedback.
Develop, fine-tune, and validate machine learning and large language models designed to increase patient motivation and adherence during home rehabilitation.
Build a cross-platform mobile application and integrate it with backend infrastructure and soft hand exoskeleton hardware developed by research partners.
Plan, coordinate, and execute clinical studies with post-stroke subjects in collaboration with local hospital partners to evaluate platform impact.
Collect, process, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data gathered from clinical trials and remote monitoring.
Collaborate closely with a second doctoral researcher focused on soft hand exoskeleton design and technical implementation.
Contribute to the supervision of master's students, technical staff, and interns.
Disseminate scientific outcomes through presentations at international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Requirements

Degree required: Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Health Sciences and Technology, Information Systems, Informatics, or related fields

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English; strong verbal and written proficiency

Instruction: English

Required skills

Solid theoretical foundations and practical applications in machine learning, including data pipelines and model evaluation
Strong programming proficiency in Python and experience with frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
Demonstrated previous experience in mobile application development or prototyping mHealth solutions
Proficiency in Python and JavaScript/TypeScript, including web and mobile frameworks such as React Native, Django, or FastAPI
Strong verbal and written communication skills in English

Nice to have

Prior experience integrating large language models into software applications via prompt engineering, API integration, or retrieval-augmented generationFamiliarity with cloud computing platforms such as AWS for system deploymentExperience or strong interest in applied translational research and direct clinical engagement

Funding & terms

Type

Unknown

Amount

—

Duration

fixed-term

Programme

Future Health Technologies Programme

Singapore-ETH Centre

How to apply

Deadline: N/A · open until filled

Prepare your application documents in PDF format, including a tailored cover letter explaining your project motivation, your CV with references, and university transcripts. Submit everything exclusively through the online application portal linked in the announcement. Email or postal submissions will not be reviewed.

Documents required