Student Assistant: Automated Historical Map Reconstruction

30%-40%, Zurich, fixed-term

Chair of Applied Economics: Innovation and Internationalization
The chair of applied economics headed by Prof. Dr. Peter Egger pursues research mainly in the areas of applied international and public economics and in applied econometrics.

Project background

We are furthering our group's previous research on the rapid development of China's overland transport system in recent decades. For past work look at on this subject:  China's dazzling transport-infrastructure growth: Measurement and effects - ScienceDirect

Job description

You will digitalize paper maps of the Chinese overland road and rail network on a yearly bases. 

• Scanning physical maps
• Geolocating scanned maps in GIS-software

You will develop or adapt an AI-pipeline (likely deep learning based) to extract the transportation networks as vector data from the digitalized maps

• Extract today’s road network from open street map (OSM) and process the vector data
• Match with internal digitals network with todays OSM-network
• Develop, adapt and employ automatic deletion script
• Analyze quality of the output
• Maybe: Help with economic analysis of the network evolution

Your profile

General requirements

• Master student from ETH/Uni. Ideally, in the field of computer science, data science, GIS.
• You can start ASAP and stay with the team for at least 6 months and ideally 12 months. 

Skill set:

• Python/R and GIS, handling of both vector and pixel based geo data (shape-files and GeoTIFF) is required
• Exposure to AI/deep learning (pytorch, tensorflow or similar) is a plus
• Chinese is a plus

Languages: English

You can start as soon as possible. We encourage students from study programs with a focus on remote sensing, GIS, and urban planning to apply. You must be enrolled at a Swiss University and must be willing to work 15h/week on average during the semester. It is possible to work more during the semester breaks (up to 40 hours possible). We handle working time flexibly such that you can take time to study for exams or fulfil other obligations for your studies while coordinating with the team when tasks need to be completed. Ideally, we are looking for individuals who can stay employed as a student assistant for at least one year (e.g., while taking courses for their Bachelor's or Master's degree), possibly longer.

Your workplace

Your workplace

We offer

We offer a friendly work environment where bringing in own ideas is encouraged. Work hours can be allocated highly flexible and remote work is generally possible to fit a typlcle student's life well. We reward dedication with ample freedom and the opportunity to steer the direction of our projects and making an impact. Spinoff-master thesis are always welcome. In addition, we offer a standard ETH student assistent compensation.

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Curious? So are we.

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

• CV
• Motivation letter (decribe your previouse experience with goecoded vector data)
• Transcripts

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

Further information about CAE can be found on our website . Questions regarding the position should be directed to Sebastiano Papini, email: [email protected]

For recruitment services the GTC of ETH Zurich apply.

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.