DC 10 – Integrating Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) into 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: explore how modelling and simulation methods in socio-technical systems can strengthen the ethnographic
methods and vice versa.

Karolinska University hospital (Region Stockholm): 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

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.