The Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy Research Unit at KU Leuven invites applications for a full-time researcher position contributing to European projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital health. Building on our expertise in the legal, ethical and societal implications (ELSI) of emerging health technologies, we work closely with clinicians, engineers, computer scientists and policymakers to support the responsible development and implementation of innovative healthcare solutions.
We are looking for a motivated legal researcher to strengthen our interdisciplinary team working on the legal, ethical and regulatory aspects of Virtual Human Twins and artificial intelligence in healthcare and medical research. Depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate, the position will be offered either as a Researcher (Master's degree) or as a Postdoctoral Researcher (PhD degree).
Key Areas of Work
-Virtual Human Twins (VHT)
A VHT is a digital representation of human health or disease state. They refer to different levels of human anatomy (e.g. cells, tissues, organs or organ systems). VHTs are built using software models and data and are designed to mimic and predict behavior of their physical counterparts, including interaction with additional diseases a person may have. A key focus of this project is the development and delivery of training and educational activities on the ELSI of VHTs.
-Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging
This project develops a European infrastructure supporting the secure use of artificial intelligence for cancer research.
Website unit
Responsibilities
Virtual Human Twins (VHT)
You will:
- develop practical guidance and educational materials on the legal and ethical aspects of Virtual Human Twins;
- design and deliver engaging training sessions, workshops and presentations for researchers, developers, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders;
- communicate complex legal and ethical concepts in a clear, accessible and practical manner to multidisciplinary audiences;
- analyse the legal and ethical framework governing Virtual Human Twins;
- assess compliance with relevant European legislation, including the GDPR, AI Act, European Health Data Space (EHDS), Data Governance Act and other applicable regulatory frameworks;
- contribute to the development of governance models for the responsible use and sharing of health data;
- contribute to project deliverables, scientific publications and policy recommendations;
- collaborate with technical, clinical and legal partners across Europe.
Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging
You will:
- analyse legal and ethical challenges related to the secondary use and sharing of medical images;
- contribute to governance frameworks supporting trustworthy and legally compliant AI in medical imaging;
- assess legal compliance of data access procedures;
- contribute to the development of legal guidance, policies and best practices for project partners;
- participate in stakeholder engagement activities involving clinicians, researchers, data providers, patients and policymakers;
- contribute to project deliverables, scientific publications and policy recommendations.
Other Responsibilities
You will:
- participate in the design, coordination and execution of research activities across projects;
- conduct literature reviews, comparative legal analyses and regulatory assessments;
- monitor developments in European legislation and policy relating to digital health, artificial intelligence and health data governance;
- develop guidance documents, educational resources and training materials;
- represent KU Leuven by delivering presentations, workshops and training sessions at project meetings, conferences and stakeholder events;
- liaise with international consortium partners and external stakeholders;
- draft scientific publications, project deliverables and conference abstracts;
- contribute to the supervision of Master's students and, where appropriate, junior researchers.
Profile
We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:
- Master's degree in Law (or an equivalent legal qualification);
- candidates holding a PhD in Law or a closely related discipline are encouraged to apply and will be appointed as Postdoctoral Researcher;
- demonstrated interest in digital health, artificial intelligence, biomedical research or healthcare innovation;
- knowledge of one or more of the following areas is considered an asset: health law; data protection law (GDPR); AI regulation (AI Act); European Health Data Space (EHDS); Medical Device Regulation (MDR/IVDR); research ethics and health data governance;
- experience with Horizon Europe or other EU-funded research projects is considered an advantage;
- excellent analytical and legal writing skills;
- excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex legal and ethical concepts to multidisciplinary audiences;
- experience in teaching, training, public speaking or stakeholder workshops is considered a strong asset;
- ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in an international multidisciplinary team;
- excellent written and spoken English.
Offer
A full-time position within a research group with extensive expertise in regulatory science, digital health and European collaborative research.
The appointment level will depend on the candidate's qualifications:
- candidates holding a Master's degree will be appointed as a Researcher;
- candidates holding a PhD will be appointed as a Postdoctoral Researcher.
An initial one-year contract will be offered, with the possibility of extension following a positive evaluation and depending on project funding.
Interested?
Your solicitation is expected before 15 September 2026. To apply and/or receive more information, please contact Janos Meszaros: [email protected]
KU Leuven adopts a policy of equal opportunities and diversity.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
