
PhD students in Computer Vision to estimate breathing and pulse from video
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Project description
Third-cycle subject: Computer Science
The goal of this project is to develop video-based methods to monitor a human’s physiological parameters such as heart rate, breathing pattern, skin temperature, pupil dilation, etc. Physiological responses can be used to infer underlying states such as concentration, anxiety, and depression, and are more difficult to control for the human than explicit behaviors (e.g. facial expressions and speech). Working systems in clinical and cognitive-scientific practice typically require intrusive devices, so our video-based solution would be both scientifically novel and practically useful. The project will be performed in collaboration with perceptual neuroscience researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Solna, Sweden
Supervision: Hedvig Kjellström is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.
Admission requirements
To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:
- passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
- completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
- acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
The applicant to this position must also have a Master degree with a major in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Signal Processing or Computer Vision.
In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.
Selection
In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:
- independently pursue his or her work
- collaborate with others,
- have a professional approach and
- analyze and work with complex issues,
For this position, we put great emphasis on the ability to present documented experience in machine learning, especially programming of deep neural networks. The candidate should also have documented experience in computer vision, image processing, or signal processing.
Moreover, experience with medical applications and experience with 3D analysis of humans in video are meriting.
After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.
Target degree: Doctoral degree
Information regarding admission and employment
Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.
As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.
Union representatives
Contact information for union representatives.
Doctoral Student’s network (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Contact information for PhD chapter.
To apply for the position
Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.
Applications must include the following elements:
- Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
- CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
- Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
- Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.
Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).
Other information
For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.
It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.
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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.
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Temporary position
Full time
100%
According to agreement
Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
2
Stockholm
Stockholms län
Sweden
PA-2026-2771
03.Sep.2026
27.Sep.2026