PhD position across gait analysis and data science


- Modelling of gait variability in asymptomatic individuals and development of novel methods to measure and score gait as well as personalize rehabilitation
- CHUV-UNIL, Lausanne, Switzerland


INTRODUCTION
The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a renowned teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 15,000 students and nearly 5,000 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study.
The Lausanne University Hospital (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV) is one of the five Swiss university hospitals. In 2022, it was ranked among the 15 best hospital in the world for the fourth time in a row by the Newsweek magazine. Through its collaboration with the UNIL Faculty of Biology and Medicine and other national and international institutions, it plays a leading role in the fields of medical care, research and training.
Both institutions are located at the heart of the French-speaking region of Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Geneva. This picturesque landscape, and the proximity to other top-level research institutes, provide an ideal setting for studying and research activities.

PRESENTATION
The Swiss BioMotion Lab and the Imaging Department, at CHUV-UNIL, welcome applications from a high-caliber, hard-working, resilient prospective PhD student.

JOB INFORMATION
Expected start date: July 1st, 2022 (position available immediately)
Contract length: 1 year, renewable until completion of the PhD
Activity rate: 100% (fully funded)
Workplace: main hospital campus

YOUR RESPONSABILITIES
The PhD scholarship is available in the framework of a larger research initiative aiming at improving our understanding of the function and structure of lower extremity joints. It includes three main parts. First, it will contribute to the curation of the movement section of a unique database including a wide spectrum of information from several hundreds of individuals. Second, it will improve our understanding of gait variability in asymptomatic individuals through statistical modeling of the database. Third, the models will be used to propose simplified methods to measure gait, novel gait scoring methods or methods to personalize gait rehabilitation. Knee osteoarthritis (OA), a painful and incapacitating disease affecting approximately a third of the population above 65 years old, will be the primary focus for all new developments.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate should:
  • Hold a master degree in mechanical engineering, bioengineering, computer science, mathematics, or equivalent.
  • Have knowledge in human movement biomechanics. Experience in gait analysis would be a plus.
  • Have advanced knowledge in data analysis, including machine learning techniques, or a keen interest in acquiring new skills in this area.
  • Have excellent communication skills, prior publication of scientific work would be an asset.
  • Be fluent in spoken and written English; French command would be a plus.

WHAT THE POSITION OFFERS YOU
We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diversified and dynamic academic environment at the Swiss BioMotion lab and the Imaging Department of the CHUV-UNIL. Overall, significant opportunities for professional training are provided.
Possibilities of continuous training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.

CONTACT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
The project will be supervised by Dr Julien Favre and Pr Patrick Omoumi.
Additional information should be requested by sending an email entitled “PhD position across gait analysis and data science” to “contact.sbml@chuv.ch”.

YOUR APPLICATION
Interested applicants are asked to send an email entitled “PhD position across gait analysis and data science” to “contact.sbml@chuv.ch”. The email should include a cover letter with mention of earlier possible starting date, a CV, a copy of academic transcripts, a list of 3 references as well as all information deemed important, as a single PDF file. The position will remain open until filled.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CHUV-UNIL is committed to promoting gender equality and strongly encourages applications from female candidates.