Alexander Zank

Computer Scientist (Human-Centered Computing)

Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

About

Technology should serve humanity, not exist as an end in itself. It should augment our everyday lives, make them easier and more joyous while empowering people to do things they previously couldn't. This paradigm is something I've firmly believed in since I started coding back in 2012 and the reason why I decided to pursue a career in Computer Science. I research, design, and engineer technology that is useful, robust, and inclusive.

Experience

  • Summer Researcher (Computational Models of Human Behavior) at Aalto University
    Jun 2025 - Sep 2025 · 4 mos

    Developing computational models of human creativity (rooted in psychology and cognitive science) to advance co-creative human-computer interfaces. Aalto Science Institute summer research at Prof. Oulasvirta's Computational Behavior Lab.

  • Teaching Assistant (Extended Reality) at Innovation Center Virtual Reality
    Mar 2025 - Jun 2025 · 4 mos

    Assisted Prof. Kunz' Virtual Reality I course at ETH Zürich: Advised and supervised students' projects.

  • Research & Teaching Assistant (Human-Computer Interaction) at Sensing, Interaction & Perception Lab
    Aug 2024 - Feb 2025 · 7 mos

    Researched accessible interaction techniques for XR, co-authored a paper (under expansion), and produced supporting materials. Assisted Prof. Holz and Prof. Wang's Human-Computer Interaction course at ETH Zurich: Supervised groups of students during their UCD project and aided in the design of exercises, exam questions, and evaluation criteria.

  • XR Lab Internship (Astronaut Training & Interactive Visualization) at European Space Agency - ESA
    Nov 2023 - Apr 2024 · 6 mos

    Reworked interactions in ESA's cutting-edge astronaut training software JIVE (adding encapsulation, hand redirection, and input decoding to our UE5 code base), laid the ground for an immersive 3D storytelling platform (co-founding the project, defining file formats, engineering encoders/decoders, designing human interfaces, and developing a presenter app for Apple Vision Pro), and explored collaborative and embodied learning (improving the photogrammetry stage of our virtual human workflow).

  • Freelance Work as a UI/UX Designer and App/Web-Developer at Freelance
    Jul 2014 - Jul 2021 · 7 yrs 1 mo

    Led three major rebranding initiatives and launched their websites. Designed and prototyped producivity apps for iOS.