PhD Position in Determinants of Human Performance in Running

About the role

The Running Performance Group of the Exercise Physiology Lab at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich is looking for a PhD student to study what determines human performance during running events. The project aims to analyse running events of different types, identify new potential determinants of performance, optimise their testing and explore how they can be improved through interventions. The position is fixed-term and based in Zurich.

Key responsibilities

• Design, execute and publish studies on determinants of human performance during running, combining laboratory experiments and field investigations.
• Test your own ideas using longitudinal training studies.
• Establish new collaborations within and outside the ETH domain, using the new technologies available in sports science research at ETH.
• Present your work at national and international conferences.
• Support teaching activities and co-supervise BSc and MSc students.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Health Sciences and Technology, Human Movement Sciences, Life Sciences or Human Medicine.
• Solid background in biomechanics, including hands-on testing experience.
• Good foundation in exercise physiology.
• Proactive, inquisitive, self-motivated and team-oriented, with excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and German at C1 level, or strong commitment to learn quickly.
• Experience in coaching at different levels is welcome.

Required skills

• R and/or Python coding skills.
• Solid foundation in statistics.

Applications must be submitted online through the university's application portal and include a one-page motivation letter, a two-page research proposal, a CV with two academic referees, degree certificates and transcripts, and copies of BSc and MSc theses (or a supervisor's statement if the MSc is not yet finished).