Research Officer

CHUV and VirtaMed are partnering within the Innosuisse Flagship Proficiency program to explore how AI can support surgical training on advanced medical simulators. We are looking for a programming-strong, curious, and driven young professional (Master's student, recent graduate, or early-career engineer) to help build and test an AI-based proctor for simulated surgical procedures.

Following your profile, the position will be collocated in the class 10 or 11.

Will you be our new Research officer?
If you are excited about AI, machine learning, human–machine interaction, and medical simulation, this role is for you

The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) is one of the five Swiss university hospitals. Through its collaboration with the Faculty of Biology and Medicine of the University of Lausanne and EPFL, the CHUV plays a leading role in the fields of medical care, medical research, and education.

Our
Department of Visceral Surgery
includes experts in numerous surgical specialties: hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, esophageal and gastric surgery, colorectal surgery, proctology, general surgery, abdominal wall surgery, melanoma and sarcoma surgery, endocrine surgery, bariatric surgery (obesity), and transplantation.

Your responsabilities :

AI-Driven Training Support:

• Investigate how an AI Proctor can assess trainees during simulated procedures
• Determine what data to log, how to structure it, and how to model user progression over time
• Explore and prototype variations of AI Proctors (types of guidance, feedback styles, interaction modes)
• Implement & optimize algorithms enabling AI-driven feedback in simulations

Prototype Development:

• Implement research prototypes primarily in Python (optionally interfacing with VirtaMed's C++/C# stack when needed)
• Integrate models, data pipelines, and logic into simulation environments

Testing & Evaluation:

• Test AI proctor variations with real users (experts and beginners) and evaluate the quality and usefulness of the AI feedback
• Collect, analyze, and interpret performance data to support further iterations

Collaboration & Communication:

• Work closely with CHUV clinicians and VirtaMed engineers to understand real product needs
• Document findings clearly and present progress to R&D and product stakeholders
• Explore new ideas, push boundaries, and contribute to shaping the next generation of AI-driven surgical training.

Your profil :

Education & Experience:

• Completing or recently completed a
  Master's degree
  in Computer Science, Machine Learning / AI, Robotics, Biomedical Engineering or a related technical field

Technical Skills:

• Strong programming skills in Python
• Interest in AI/ML, data pipelines, and human–machine interaction
• Curiosity about surgical simulation and the OR training environment
• Familiarity with C++ or C# is a plus (not mandatory)

Soft Skills:

• Curious, proactive, eager to experiment and iterate
• Comfortable with open-ended problems
• Able to communicate clearly with technical and clinical stakeholders
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to learn from multiple disciplines

What we offer:

• A unique opportunity to work at the intersection of AI and surgical education
• Hands-on exposure to cutting-edge surgical simulators and real training environments
• Close collaboration with a leading university hospital (CHUV) and a global simulation leader (VirtaMed)
• Possibility of contract extension within VirtaMed depending on project results.

To become an employee of the world-famous University Hospital Center from the Canton of Vaud is an assurance of:

• First-rate social benefits such as a Paternity Leave of 20 days and a Maternity Leave of 4 months (there is also the possibility to obtain a complementary breastfeeding leave of 1 month)
• Regular salary progression adapted to your responsibilities
• A 13th salary and 25 days of vacations per year
• A right to at least three days of training per year, by accessing a wide offer of courses not only from the CHUV Training Center but also from external providers
• Possibility to access one of the 500 furnished apartments offered in the surrounding neighborhoods in case of relocation in Switzerland
• Discounts proposed on social and cultural events, goodies and other services, thanks to the "H-Oxygène" association
• Signing up to our Mobility Plan and benefit from different advantages (discounts on public transportation, promotion of "Mobility" car fleet and discounts on electric bikes)
• Being able to enjoy our high-quality corporate restaurants, located in every hospital building, with employees' discount

Contact person in case of questions about this role : Prof. Dieter Hahnloser, Department of Visceral Surgery, CHUV.

(please note that applications by email won't be accepted)