Master thesis»Setting Up and Testing of a Radar Sensor for the Contactless Monitoring of Vital Sign«

The Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA of the Fraunhofer IDMT develops key technologies for speech and event recognition, sound quality and speech intelligibility, as well as mobile neurotechnology and systems for networked healthcare. For example the Fraunhofer IDMT in Oldenburg teaches machines and cars to hear.  Robust speech recognition allows devices to listen and enables contactless control and quality assurance. In the area of health, Fraunhofer IDMT-HSA develops speech and language analysis systems for therapeutic applications and – thanks to mobile EEG systems – the sleep lab “to go”. Algorithms for better speech intelligibility and personalised sound quality make hearables fit for the working world – and media a pleasant listening experience for everyone. 

In the “Mobile Neurotechnologies” research group, we work on customer-oriented solutions for the mobile recording of human brain activity in everyday situations and for integrating the information derived into health and interaction applications. This can
support sleep monitoring in the home, automated documentation of epilepsy seizures or the evaluation of cognitive strain in safety-critical workplaces. 

What you will do

This thesis aims to explore a short-range radar sensor for the use in vital sign monitoring. A short-range radar sensor can measure small skin displacements to detect respiratory movements or heartbeat pulses. The radar sensor for the thesis will be set up with initial measurements, compared with an existing radar sensor and then tested in a study with a chosen use case such as sleep monitoring, health monitoring during office work or animal health monitoring. The thesis will primarily focus on radar basics, the characteristics of the sensor and its performance in the use case. The thesis will help our Fraunhofer group to use this radar in the tested use case with industry partners.

The development of short-range radars has reached a point at which the radar is an easy-to-use sensor for everyday applications and research. The advantages of the radar sensor are their contactless measurement of sub-milimeter movements without the dependence on ambient light and from large distances of several meters through fabrics such as clothing or sleepwear. On this basis, many use cases have emerged for radar vital sign monitoring with sleep apnea detection and vital sign sensing of neonates being just two examples. Our Fraunhofer group is currently working on detecting small movements simultaneously at different parts of the body in order to recognize and extract vital signs more reliably. 

Objectives
(1) The first objective will be to measure and visualize the respiratory movement of a human torso using the radar. For this, you will have time to familiarize yourself with the radar basics, the radar itself and with our currently used programming infrastructure (Gitlab, Python).

(2) The second objective will be to perform several test measurements for vital sign extraction in an office environment. You will compare the new radar sensor with a radar currently used in our group.

(3) The third objective will be to select one of the use cases that are currently important for our industry partners and to conduct a first study on this use case. This study will be a first application of the radar sensor. 

What you bring to the table

• A very good bachelor degree in electrical engineering/IT/computer science/physics or related fields
• Experience with the evaluation of collected data
• Ideally, existing knowledge of vital sign monitoring
• Relevant experience in the field of radar signal processing is an advantage
• Good programming skills (Python, C/C++, MATLAB, ...)
• Enjoy working on technical questions as part of a team
• Enjoy interdisciplinary cooperation across organisational boundaries
• Demonstrate a strategic approach and creativity when familiarising yourself with new application scenarios
• Be open-minded and curious when dealing with our partners 
• Show esteem and respect
• Show commitment, initiative and the ability to work independently

What you can expect

• Exciting, challenging and distinctly application-oriented projects at a high scientific/technical level, with a high degree of economic and social relevance
• Work in a dedicated, interested, cooperative and interdisciplinary team
• Collaboration with renowned international partners and customers
• Room to develop and implement your own ideas
• An excellently equipped technical infrastructure
• Tolerant, helpful and respectful teamwork
• New work and very good reconciliation of family and career through flexible worktime models, “co-child office”
• Very good opportunities for continuing education and a strong professional network in Oldenburg’s lively science scene

We want you to feel at home with us and therefore place great value on open and respectful interaction. Among others, we foster this through our onboarding programme and by raising awareness towards diversity and equal opportunities. All this ensures successful teamwork at our institute.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. 

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

Professional queries:

Lars Hornig
lars.hornig@idmt.fraunhofer.de

Questions about the application process:

Femke Grotelüschen
femke.grotelueschen@idmt.fraunhofer.de

Oldenburg Branch Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA

Requisition Number: 77305                Application Deadline: 01/31/2025