Your function

1. Overview of the research programme:
In Silico Health 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, In Silico Health 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 Ph D Project Information:
Host institution: Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Supervisory team: Prof. Teun Zuiderent-Jerak (Ph D supervisor, VU Amsterdam), Prof. Sebastiaan Meijer (Ph D supervisor, KTH), Dr Michiel Van Oudheusden (Ph D 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. Ph D project description:
This Ph D 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 Ph D 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.

Your profile

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.

What do we offer?

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 Ph D 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

About us

Athena Institute
The Athena Institute addresses complex societal issues, like climate change, health inequality and social injustice. We do this by designing, facilitating and studying multi-stakeholder processes. Together with all actors involved, we investigate how to instigate system transformation.
Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.
We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.
Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, Ph D candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.
Application requirements:

• Curriculum vitae.
• Motivation Letter, including a clear indication of the preferred DC position within In Silico Health Doctoral Network.
• Academic records (grades) for Master degrees.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.