Postdoctoral Researcher in Technologies for Home Rehabilitation after Stroke

Project background Stroke remains a leading cause of disability worldwide. Although improved early stroke response has reduced mortality, it has also produced a growing population of stroke survivors, intensifying the demand for long-term rehabilitation and placing a substantial clinical and economic burden on healthcare systems. Because today’s neurorehabilitation model relies heavily on resource-intensive, therapist-led care, meeting this demand will require scalable, cost-effective solutions that extend beyond the clinic and into the home. To address these needs, the first phase of the Future Health Technologies Programme (FHT1) at the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) (https://fht.ethz.ch) developed and piloted innovative upper limb rehabilitation technologies and evaluated them in clinical settings, both in hospital and in the homes of post-stroke subjects. Building on this foundation, FHT2 aims to scale up these technologies and carry out more extensive clinical evaluation, paving the way for technology-based clinic-to-home rehabilitation to be integrated into Singapore’s healthcare system. Specifically, one of our projects focuses on the development of a soft robotic hand exoskeleton (RELab tenoexo) to enhance upper limb rehabilitation sessions in the clinic (therapy scenario) and allow for additional task-oriented training at home (assistance scenario). A first version of the soft exoskeleton has been developed within FHT1 and a proof-of-concept trial demonstrated preliminary feasibility, with post-stroke subjects using the rehabilitation device at home. However, adherence to home rehabilitation without therapist supervision and support can be challenging, ultimately affecting therapy dose. Within FHT2, we will complement the exoskeleton with an AI-based digital health intervention, specifically an LLM-based conversational agent that will deliver support via a companion mobile app. The app will serve as both the user interface for daily interaction and support and a digital platform for data collection, remote monitoring, and telerehabilitation. We will also further investigate how neuromodulation could be combined to exoskeleton support in order to boost recovery after stroke. The impact of these technology developments will then be evaluated in the context of a multi-arm rehabilitation intervention at home in the context of a 6-week proof of value clinical trial. Job description As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be responsible for leading the research team focusing on the development of the RELab tenoexo system that will be used in the clinical trial (considering aspects from exoskeleton design improvement, software/gamification, intention detection approaches for control, interfacing with the accompanying digital app, data analyses, etc). You will coordinate the overall project and clinical evaluation of the system and will closely supervise the work of two PhD students working on specific aspects of exoskeleton design and digital intervention design. You will coordinate the clinical trials (e.g., ethics application, administrative tasks, reporting) and interaction with clinical partners and community partners involved in the project. The work will be performed in close collaboration with our research partners at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), and community partners such as Stroke Support Station (S3). Your tasks will include: • Getting familiar with the technologies developed within FHT both in terms of rehabilitation technologies and previous digital interventions, and the evidence collected so far in our previous studies. • Plan, supervise and contribute to further technical developments and user tests for RELab tenoexo and the different technological components of the system. • Design, implement and coordinate a large-scale multi-arm clinical study related to the clinical validation (proof-of-value) of an upper limb rehabilitation intervention with the RELab tenoexo system, from clinic to home. • Advise and mentor an inter-disciplinary team of two PhD students and one engineer. • Contribute to the dissemination of research outcomes at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. • Support the principal investigators in coordinating research, application for funding, and reporting efforts related to the project. • Lead trial governance and regulatory compliance, including drafting and revising clinical study protocols, preparing ethics (IRB) submissions, and authoring annual study status and progress reports for ethics boards. Selection Criteria You will have: • A PhD in Health Science and Technology, Biomedical Engineering, Rehabilitation Engineering, Neurorehabilitation, or related fields. • At least 5 years of experience in a research environment (PhD or Postdoctoral researcher level) with specific experience with student supervision, team management, as well as grant and publication writing. • Prior experience in experimental technology-based neurorehabilitation research with human participants, including study design, ethics application, data collection with neurological patients, and data analysis. • A strong interest in developing and applying (robotic) technologies for neurorehabilitation, regularly interacting with relevant stakeholders in the field (e.g., patients, clinicians), and mentoring and advising PhD students. • Strong academic record, including publications in leading journals in the field. • Strong technical understanding of neurorehabilitation technologies (e.g., in terms of mechanical design and control). • Good understanding of basic clinical principles and mechanisms of post-stroke neurorehabilitation. • Knowledge of important considerations for obtaining high-quality data in challenging environments, including good clinical practice. • Prior experience in supervising students in the context of research projects. • Strong verbal and written communication skills in English. • Independence and “getting things done mentality”. • Scientific curiosity and motivation to perform scientifically rigorous experimental work. • Desire to expand knowledge and acquire new expertise, work in an international environment. We seek candidates who take ownership of their research and are able to independently drive ideas forward. Successful applicants will actively engage with supervisors and collaborators, seek input when needed, and thoughtfully integrate feedback. Why SEC is your employer of choice? • Accredited with 5 Tripartite Standards by Tripartite Alliance for Fair & Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Singapore. • A diverse workplace with 32 nationalities, offering ample opportunities for mutual learning. • Positive and inclusive working environment. • 25 days of annual leave for fixed-term contracts. • 1 day of Birthday Leave. • Annual dental benefits. • Committed to being a supportive employer as you prioritize your physical and mental wellness. • Comprehensive healthcare insurance coverage. • Flexible hybrid work arrangement (up to 2 days per week from home). • Abundant networking opportunities across various disciplines. • Accredited with NS mark certification. The Singapore-ETH Centre is an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. All candidates will be evaluated on their merits and qualifications, without regards to gender, race, age or religion. Curious? So are we. We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents: • A cover letter with a specific statement of your motivation for the project. • Your CV including the name and contact information of 2 references. • A copy of your university transcripts as PDFs. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered. Work location : 1 Create Way, CREATE Tower, Singapore 138602 (NUS University Town) Contract Duration : 2 Years Remuneration will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience. Further information about The Singapore-ETH Centre can be found on our website: https://sec.ethz.ch/ For further information, please contact: Prof. Dr Olivier LAMBERCY (ETH Zurich) at olivier.lambercy@hest.ethz.ch, (strictly no applications)