Engineer 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.

• 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 personalized 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.
• Communicate with project partners and external stakeholders.

• Completed Master’s degree in food sciences, biomedical engineering, or related fields in digital health.
• Proven experience in data analytics, preferably in personalized nutrition and dietary interventions.
• Pragmatic problem solver capable of building working digital proof‑of‑concepts.
• Knowledge of digital health solutions or non‑communicable diseases.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English (written and oral) mandatory. Knowledge of German is advantageous.
• Flair for communicating with industrial and academic partners.

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 1 September 2026 or upon mutual agreement.

Empa
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
9014 St. Gallen

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