VPHi VACANCY: Scientific officer for in silico medicine and digital health

Do you have a background in computer modeling and simulation, digital twins, artificial intelligence or health data? Or do you have a background in political or social science with a strong interest on the aforementioned areas?

Did you finish your MSc or PhD and are looking for a way to gain additional experience in the translational aspects of our field before returning to academia or making the switch to industry or public institutions? We are looking for you!

The Virtual Physiological Human Institute (VPHi) is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated in Belgium, whose mission is to ensure that the Virtual Physiological Human is fully realised, universally adopted, and effectively used both in research and clinic. VPH, also identified with the word “in silico medicine”, is the field that uses patient-specific computer modeling and simulation to assist and improve all aspects of healthcare, ranging from prevention, over diagnosis and prognostic assessment to treatment, including the design and development of biomedical products.

Over the coming 2 years, the VPHi will take the lead in building an ecosystem for digital twins in healthcare by actively engaging with all stakeholders (industry, regulators, healthcare professionals, patients), contributing to relevant regulatory guidances and policies, developing a roadmap towards the integrated human digital twin and compiling a compendium of online training materials. Experience with regulatory science or policy is not required but basic knowledge is a plus. We offer a very dynamic work environment in an international setting at the forefront of in silico medicine. After a period of training, you will be expected to contribute to and possibly take the lead in the development of one or more of the aforementioned activities – always in concertation with the rest of the team. Whereas you will not be doing any hands-on technical implementation work, you will be helping to shape the future of the field of in silico medicine and its uptake in clinical practice.

Mission: Developing Roadmap towards the integrated human digital twin

Main duties:

- Collaborate in multi-partner European projects:

• Manage timely delivery of project outcomes
• Represent the EU project in international conferences and healthcare events
• Organise and manage working groups

- Contribute to definition of roadmap towards the integrated human digital twin:

• Engage with multiple stakeholders (industry, regulators, policy makers, healthcare professionals, patients organizations)
• Organize consultation meetings
• Run and analyse surveys
• Assess needs and value propositions
• Inform (answer to public calls for feedback on future policies, write white papers)
• Contribute to relevant regulatory guidances and policies
• Perform desk review, compile material for digital twin catalogue
• Participate in think tank for designing model and data repositories

Expected qualifications:

• MSc or PhD degree in Modelling for Biology/medicine or any other relevant degree related to Digital Health
• Basic knowledge about regulatory or policy landscape pertaining to RWD, and health data

Required skills:

• Professional English,
• Highly independent,
• Being able to work in an international environment and to interact with different stakeholders

Place of work: Leuven (Belgium) on site with possibility of smart working

Salary: Successful candidates will be offered up to 24 months full-time employment (in year contracts), with an monthly salary aligned with university barema (depending on experience, seniority and family situation) including benefits like holiday and vacation pay. Belgium offers universal health care, subsidized day care, a high standard of living and a vibrant cultural life. Belgium is at the heart of Europe, with fast connections to all major foreign cities.

How to apply:

Send a CV, cover letter (detailing your relevant experience) and contact details of 2 references to Martina Contin (manager@vph-institute.org) and Liesbet Geris (director@vph-institute.org) using ‘VPHi science vacancy’ as title of the email.

Application deadline: as soon as possible