Postdoctoral Researcher / Data Scientist
The Postdoc Researcher will work in a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) funded study "Ensuring shoulder health as a key factor for long term health and functioning of manual wheelchair users". This innovative research project explores the shoulder situation (shoulder load in daily life, shoulder pain, shoulder capacity and shoulder status) in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI) and interventions thereon in the vulnerable transition from initial rehabilitation to community life.
These are your tasks
- Improvement and expansion of current methodology to classify shoulder loading activities collected with wearable sensors (IMU) in the daily life of wheelchair users
- Development of a validated workflow for estimating shoulder load and daily activity patterns from wearable sensor data
- Development of methods to analyze the interaction of all components affecting the shoulder situation
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, therapists, physicians and specialists in the context of SCI
- Publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting research findings at conferences
- Support in supervision of PhD and MSc students
- Support in grant writing for external funding
What makes you stand out
- PhD in Data Science, or Biomedical Engineering with a strong data science component
- Extensive experience in machine learning and classification of sensor data as time series
- Proven experience in clinical application of data science methods
- Strong and proven computational skills in Matlab and/or Python
- Experience in project planning and conduction
- Strong track record of publishing peer-reviewed articles
- Proficiency in English is required, knowledge of German is considered an asset
- Independent working attitude as well as ability to work in a team
We offer:
- A Postdoc position in a stimulating and productive atmosphere
- Excellent conditions for innovative and vital research in context of SCI
- An exciting research project with close connection and high impact on clinical practice
- Supportive mentoring to advance research skills
The position is for 3 years, starting 1st of January 2026 or upon individual agreement.
We are looking forward to your complete online application in English (incl. a curriculum vitae, a cover letter with a personal statement regarding your suitability and motivation and diplomas and references.
What you can expect
Your work is meaningful – you support a globally unique network of services for people with a spinal cord injury.
Your work is meaningful – you support a globally unique network of services for people with a spinal cord injury.
We're all on first name terms and on an equal footing. The close interaction, our staff parties and team events ensure a homely atmosphere.
We're all on first name terms and on an equal footing. The close interaction, our staff parties and team events ensure a homely atmosphere.
You enjoy five to seven weeks' holiday and up to 16 paid public holidays per year. Other options are holiday purchase, unpaid leave or a sabbatical after 10 years of service.
You enjoy five to seven weeks' holiday and up to 16 paid public holidays per year. Other options are holiday purchase, unpaid leave or a sabbatical after 10 years of service.
Numerous rest areas and sports options offer the chance to relax and unwind. You can choose: fitness, indoor swimming pool, private beach, rose garden or rather team sports?
Numerous rest areas and sports options offer the chance to relax and unwind. You can choose: fitness, indoor swimming pool, private beach, rose garden or rather team sports?
Whether you commute by bus, train, bike, car or a stand up paddleboard – we'll share the costs
Whether you commute by bus, train, bike, car or a stand up paddleboard – we'll share the costs
You benefit from a fair salary, good pension fund benefits and cover in the event of illness or accident. Families with children receive up to CHF 250 social supplements per month.
You benefit from a fair salary, good pension fund benefits and cover in the event of illness or accident. Families with children receive up to CHF 250 social supplements per month.
About us
Swiss Paraplegic Research (SPF) is part of the Swiss Paraplegic Group. The mission of SPF is sustainably improving the situation of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) through interdisciplinary, clinical and Community-based research on a national and international level. Specific areas of its comprehensive research include functioning, mobility, social integration, equality of opportunity, self-determination, quality of life, health services provision as well as epidemiology and statistical methods. SPF is an university research institution recognized and promoted by the Swiss federal government and the cantons and an active link to academic and industrial research and development at the national and international levels.
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