Engineer on data-driven personalized dietary interventions and related digital biomarker monitoring

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
In our Digital Health Solutions research area, we develop innovative technologies for the long-term monitoring of people with the aim of improving health, safety and performance. As part of a large interdisciplinary project, we are looking for an engineer. The project focuses on preventing type-2 diabetes to reduce the health and economic burdens on the Swiss healthcare system and population, using digital therapeutics. In a part of the project, we want to advance data-driven, personalized nutritional advice and dietary interventions in food choice and meal planning. At the same time, we want to identify digital health biomarkers from continuous vital sign monitoring to develop food and lifestyle recommendations based on these risk biomarkers.

Your tasks

  • Develop data-driven digital food choice and meal planning tools, including proof of concepts and mock-ups. Test these models in intervention trials with human subjects
  • Develop AI-driven GPT agents to extract data, such as nutritional information on food products, and compose databases
  • Identify digital health–based risk biomarkers and derive personalised food recommendations informed by these biomarkers through the involvement in organizing and conducting human trials
  • Organize experiments of the impact of food products on several health markers
  • Communication with project partners and external stakeholders

Your profile

  • Completed Master`s degree in food sciences, biomedical engineering, or related fields in digital health 
  • Proven experience in the fields of data-analytics, preferably in personalized nutrition and dietary interventions 
  • You are pragmatic and a problem solver and can build working digital proof-of-concepts 
  • Knowledge of digital health solutions or non-communicable diseases 
  • Excellent communication skills and fluency English (both written and oral) are mandatory. Knowledge or German is advantageous
  • You have a flair for communicating with industrial and academic partners

Our offer

We offer you the opportunity to apply and further develop your engineering skills in an application-oriented, exciting research environment. Through interdisciplinary collaboration with experts and project partners from different fields and cultures, you will not only expand your knowledge but also your professional network – a valuable foundation for your career in research or industry. A contract duration of 2 years is envisaged with a possible extension for another 2 years. The workplace is Empa in St. Gallen. The desired starting date is 1st of September 2026 or upon mutual agreement.
We live a culture of inclusion and respect. We welcome all people who are interested in innovative, sustainable and meaningful activities - that's what counts.
We look forward to receiving your complete online application including a letter of motivation, CV, certificates, diplomas and contact details of two reference persons. Please submit these exclusively via our job portal. Applications by e-mail and by post will not be considered.
Sarah Stüdli, Bereichspersonalleiterin / HR Partner
 

Questions?

  Prof. Dr. Thijs Defraeye
Group leader
Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles

Your future place of work

Empa
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
9014 St. Gallen

Empa as an employer

Innovative, sustainable, meaningful activities
Creating added value for society
International, multicultural working environment
Freedom to create and develop
Culture of inclusion and respect
Excellent balance between different areas of life
Multiple award-winning and certified employer
Benefits for rail, mobile, childcare, catering, etc.