Student Assistant in GPR- Railway Track Assessment: Experimental Campaign

Student Assistant in GPR-Based Railway Track Condition Assessment:
Experimental Campaign Support

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a non‑destructive geophysical technique with significant potential for assessing railway ballast and substructure condition, particularly with respect to fouling and moisture distribution. Understanding these parameters is essential for predicting long‑term track performance and planning maintenance interventions.

As part of an ongoing collaboration between ETH Zürich, SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), and Terra Vermessungen AG, we are conducting controlled experiments on a dedicated test track, located at the ETH Hönggerberg campus, to systematically investigate GPR response under varying fouling and moisture conditions. By introducing degradation into pristine ballast under documented conditions, we aim to establish reliable ground truth data for developing automated condition indicators from GPR measurements.

• Support in planning and preparation of the experimental campaign (test track configuration, material handling, measurement protocols)
• Participation in on-site GPR measurement activities together with project partners
• Laboratory sample preparation and material characterization (moisture content, fouling levels)
• Data organization, quality control, and documentation
• Signal processing and exploratory data analysis of collected GPR profiles

• Start:
  May 2026
• Duration:
  May – July 2026 (approximately 3 months)
• Workload:
  Flexible, to be discussed
• Extension:
  Possible depending on project needs and candidate availability

• Currently enrolled at ETH Zürich (Bachelor's or Master's level)
• Practical, hands‑on attitude for field and laboratory work
• Programming experience (Python preferred) for data analysis tasks
• Availability for on‑site work during the experimental campaign (May‑June 2026)

• Involvement in an applied research project with direct industry relevance
• Hands‑on experience with GPR technology and railway infrastructure
• Collaboration with academic and industry partners (SBB, Terra Vermessungen AG)
• Flexible working hours compatible with your studies
• Possibility of extension beyond July depending on project progress and mutual interest

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.

Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate‑neutral future.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents:

• CV
• Brief Statement of Interest

Further information about our Chair can be found on our webpage. Questions regarding the position should be directed to giacomo.arcierig.ethz.ch and chatzig.ethz.ch.

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre‑selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

In your application, please refer to