Software Developer for Mobile Health Interventions

ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 10 Jun 2022

Software Developer for Mobile Health Interventions


ETH Zurich is one of the leading universities in the world with a strong focus on science and engineering. In 2010 it established the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC) in collaboration with the National Research Foundation (NRF) to do interdisciplinary research on pressing problems.

In collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Duke - NUS, the National Health Group (NHG), National University Health System (NUHS), and SingHealth, SEC is undertaking a research program on "Future Health Technologies FHT". It addresses some immanent health challenges by developing a future-oriented Mobile Digital Health Concept that tackles the increase in patients suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity and stroke, as a consequence of a rapidly ageing population with mobile digital technologies, covering the value chain from acute care to patient's private homes. Within this framework, we are announcing the following job opening.


Project background

FHT's Mobile Health Interventions module investigates how mobile chatbot technology can be leveraged to assist individuals in preventing diabetes and depression from a public health perspective. For this purpose, we will further develop the award-winning open-source, Apache 2 licensed, software platform MobileCoach (www.mobile-coach.eu ). MobileCoach will be our primary software platform for the development of smartphone-based and conversational agent (chatbot) delivered digital health interventions (DHIs) and ecological momentary assessments (EMAs). Elena+ (www.elena.plus ) or BLV’s MySwissFoodPyramid are only two examples of many MobileCoach-based interventions. Moreover, technology management and medical students use MobileCoach in our Digital Health Project lectures in Switzerland. The core of MobileCoach is implemented as a Java web application and allows intervention authors to set up the logic and content of DHIs and EMAs. Content can be delivered either via SMS, email or iOS / Android apps (written in ReactNative), which are used by individuals receiving an intervention. Also, health professionals can use the web-based MobileCoach cockpit (written in React) to monitor their patients and to interact with them via a text-based chat channel.


Job description

To strengthen our MobileCoach activities at SEC and, therefore, to increase our scientific and societal impact, we are looking for a software developer who is interested in supporting us in the following tasks:

  • Development and maintenance of web and mobile app components and documentation of MobileCoach
  • Technical project management for the MobileCoach-based research projects in Singapore in collaboration with the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. This task includes project planning, requirements engineering, effort estimates, on-site and remote exchange with our research partners.
  • Supporting MobileCoach workshops and hackathons
  • Working together with doctoral students in MobileCoach-based projects
  • Supporting intervention authors via the MobileCoach user forum  and MobileCoach screencasts

    • Your profile

    We are looking for individuals that meet the following key qualifications:

    • A university or university of applied sciences degree in computer science, (medical) informatics, software engineering, or similar, and/or a minimum of 3 years experience
    • Solid programming skills in JavaScript, ideally, in React (reactjs.org ), React Native (reactnative.dev ) and Redux (redux.js.org ) 
    • Ideally some experience in Swift, Java, Kotlin and health and research kits of mobile platforms (e.g. Apple’s HealthKit, CareKit, ResearchKit or Google Fit)
    • An interest in working with applied machine learning methods and tools for mobile devices (e.g. TensorFlow for Mobile and IoT )
    • An interest in open-source projects, mobile app development incl. management of the app submission process, continuous integration and development
    • Fluent in English

    About ETH Zürich

    ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in
    science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education,
    cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge
    into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our
    university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an
    environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe,
    yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to
    develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.


    Curious? So are we.

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

  • Cover letter outlining your motivation and experience in the fields of mobile app development, project management, and open-source software
  • CV with a list of mobile app projects including your specific contribution

    • Further information about ETH’s Centre for Digital Health Interventions or MobileCoach can be found on our websites: www.c4dhi.org  and www.mobile-coach.eu . More information about the Mobile Health Intervention Module of the FHT programme is available here: https://fht.ethz.ch/research/mobile-health-interventions.html .

    Questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Dr Tobias Kowatsch, Scientific Director of the Center for Digital Health Interventions (ETH Zurich & University of St.Gallen) and Assistant Professor for Digital Health, University of St.Gallen, by email [email protected] (no applications). Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.


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