PhD Responsible Research and Innovation in In Silico Technologies

1. Overview of the research programme:
InSilicoHealth is an innovative Doctoral Network (DN) with the ambition to train a new generation of outstanding Doctoral Candidates (DC) that will become effective translators of the rapidly evolving digital technology to tackle existing and future challenges related with healthy ageing in Europe. The research focus of this DN lies in three key domains: the brain, heart, and musculoskeletal (MSK) systems. In the realm of digital technology, InSilicoHealth specifically focuses on virtual human twin (VHT) technology to enhance our understanding of the age-related adaptive changes of the complex human body through predictive multi-scale simulations. The research methodology employs knowledge-driven models enhanced by advanced data-driven inference techniques to optimize the health potential of older individuals.

2. Individual PhD Project Information:
Host institution: Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Supervisory team: Prof. Teun Zuiderent-Jerak (PhD supervisor, VU Amsterdam), Prof. Sebastiaan Meijer (PhD supervisor, KTH), Dr Michiel Van Oudheusden (PhD co-supervisor, VU Amsterdam), Prof. Paolo Parini (secondment host, Karolinska University Hospital).
Enrolment in Doctoral School: Enrolled in the Athena Graduate School (VU Amsterdam) and the School of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health program of Technology and Health (KTH).

3. PhD project description:
This PhD project focuses on integrating Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) principles into the development of in silico technologies, with an emphasis on ethical, legal, and societal issues (ELSI). The project aims to evaluate the complex interactions between stakeholders in the in silico health ecosystem and develop strategies to mitigate potential risks while accelerating the adoption of these technologies in real-world healthcare. Using ethnographic methods, while closely collaborating with researchers from other work packages, the candidate will document their work, participate in lab meetings, and conduct semi-structured interviews to analyze how values and social considerations shape research decisions.

Additionally, the PhD candidate will perform a systematic desk review of ELSI-related documents, identify key stakeholders, and gather insights to inform the development of a standardized research protocol. This protocol will map the evolution of in silico technologies for healthy aging and ensure that ethical reflection and public engagement are integrated into the research process. The results will contribute to an improved understanding of societal impacts and strategies for mitigating future risks.

4. Planned secondments:

• KTH (M32, 6 months): explore how modelling and simulation methods in socio-technical systems can strengthen the ethnographic methods and vice versa.
• Karolinska University hospital (M28, 4 months): opportunity to engage in communication with regulators and payers in the field of in silico technology, providing exposure to a wider range of stakeholders of the in silico ecosystem.

Requirements:

5. Essential requirements:

• You have completed a master’s degree in Science and Technology Studies or related field.
• You have proven your proficiency in English language equivalent to B2 level.
• You did not reside or carry out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years before 1st of January 2025.
• You are ambitious, well organized, a team player, and have excellent communication skills.
• You can work independently and have a critical mindset.
• You are a pro-active and motivated person, eager to participate in network-wide training events, international mobility, and public dissemination activities.
• Previous experience in qualitative research, preferably ethnographic research methods and interviews.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• A salary of minimum € 2.872,- during the first year, increasing to € 3.670,00 gross per month in the 4th and final year, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate.
• A position for at least 1 FTE (38 hours per week). Initially, the appointment is for 12 months with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance, up to a maximum duration of four years.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• child daycare facilities available on campus
• the possibility to work partly from home

De Boelelaan 1085