Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care

PhD Position in LLM-based Voice Assistants in Early Dementia 80 %

Start of employment 01.03.2025

The Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS) contributes to the optimization of health care and improved translation of evidence into practice. Our implementation science teaching, research, and training aims to accelerate the integration of research findings into health care and embed them in a sustainable way, as well as removing low-value practices from health care. We want to bring digital innovations to patients and create digital interventions to improve community health and well-being.

The advertised PhD position will be at the Chair of Digital Health Interventions. We offer funding for a 4-year (48 months) PhD position at 80% employment, as part of the SNSF project "GRACE: A voice assistant for improving quality of life in people with early dementia". The PhD will be supervised by Prof. Tobias Kowatsch, Prof. Nikola Biller-Andorno, and Dr. Rasita Vinay.

Your responsibilities

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary team investigating voice-based lifestyle and cognitive interventions for people with dementia, through a voice assistant prototype.

The ideal candidate would have a strong understanding of voice assistants or conversational agents, who intends to further qualify themselves through a doctorate. You must also be eligible for a PhD at the University of St. Gallen (PhD in Business Innovation) or the University of Zurich (PhD programs of the Medical Faculty).

Your profile

  • Masters degree in computer science or human-computer interaction (strongly preferred), behavioral and cognitive sciences (desirable), or a related field.
  • Experience working with assistive technologies or conversational agents, and LLMs.
  • Proficiency in English and German (written and spoken).
  • Willingness to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
  • Good organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to also work independently.

Information on your application

Please submit your electronic application (in a single PDF file) including a cover letter, CV (max. 2 pages), academic transcripts and certificates by 17 November 2024.

What we offer

Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
  • Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH
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Learning and Development
  • Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
  • Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich
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Food
  • Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
  • Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution
More
Healthcare
  • Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
  • Free seasonal flu vaccinations
  • Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower
More
Discounts
  • Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
  • Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
  • Special conditions on hotel reservations
More
Conditions of Employment
  • Policies of the UZH
  • Most UZH staff are employed according to public law
More
International Services
  • Support for people from outside Switzerland
More
Campuses
  • Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
  • Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg
More

What we offer

Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible working models (such as part-time positions, mobile working, job-sharing)
  • Childcare at the kihz foundation of UZH and ETH


More
Learning and Development
  • Wide range of continuing education courses of UZH and the Canton of Zurich
  • Language Center run jointly with ETH Zurich

More
Food
  • Food and drinks at reduced prices in the UZH cafeterias
  • Lunch-Check-card with UZH contribution

More
Healthcare
  • Special conditions on the Academic Sports Association ASVZ
  • Free seasonal flu vaccinations
  • Rest and relaxation at the quiet room in the university tower

More
Discounts
  • Private traffic: Carsharing, rent a vehicle, parking space
  • Digitalization: Hardware, software, mobile phone subscriptions
  • Special conditions on hotel reservations

More
Conditions of Employment
  • Policies of the UZH
  • Most UZH staff are employed according to public law


More
International Services
  • Support for people from outside Switzerland

More
Campuses
  • Campuses Zurich City, Zurich Irchel, Oerlikon and Schlieren
  • Sites Zurich West, Old Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden and Lengg

More

Further information

Questions about the job

Rasity Vinay Postdoctoral Researcher
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Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
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Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.

Working at UZH

The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer! More
UZH