Sano PhD students

Project title: Computational medicine and the ethics game: frameworks, procedures, permissions and governance mediated through blockchain

Give us a chance to meet you
  • About us:

Sano Centre for Computational Medicine is a new International Scientific Foundation located in Kraków, Poland.

Sano aspires to be a major translational scientific institute, operating at the meeting point of academic science, established MedTech industry, and emerging start-up environment, combining the best of these three perspectives.

Sano acts as a core technology and expertise provider for industry, and creator of innovation, developing state-of-the-art solutions for healthcare. Thanks to the substantial funding and excellent European partnership network, Sano will bring a critical mass to this transformational field of research, in order to translate scientific advancements onto clinical practice. Sano’s ambition is to become the Reference Centre for Computational Medicine in Central Europe and build a reputation as a leading institute on a global level.

As a cross-disciplinary institution, Sano uses machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI), large scale computer simulations (HPC), data science, and other computational technologies towards overcoming global challenges in healthcare systems. The research agenda will be executed in close collaboration with Partners in Poland, EU and USA.

We value:

  • Passion – Passion in what we do, engagement in Sano operations, taking responsibility, providing initiative, being happy at work.
  • Innovation – Boldness in articulating and pursuing novel ideas, courage to think outside the box.
  • Integrity – Directness, openness, tolerance and respect. Scientific integrity (we do not cut corners).
  • Diversity – Diversity in backgrounds, cultures and opinions of Sano employees. Promotion of women in STEM.
  • About job:
  • Closing date: June 30th 2021
  • Level of education: Master's degree
  • Hours: 40 hours per week
  • Salary indication: up to 8000 PLN gross monthly

Supervisors:

University of Sheffield: Dr. John Fenner  

Sano: Extreme Scale data and Computing Research Group Leader  

Project start: July 2021 

Degree Awarding Institution: University of Sheffield 

The challenges of ethics management/governance in the context of in silico healthcare research and personal predictive medicine are as important as the scientific problems themselves. Socially and politically, support for the science and technology of computational medicine will only be forthcoming if it is seen to operate according to the best of ethical practices. However, established ethics frameworks have neither the flexibility nor the coherence to support the aspirational hypermodels promoted by in silico and AI protagonists, especially since these computational approaches invoke distributed ethics resources. Consequently, a new perspective/implementation of the ethical framework is warranted. 

This project proposes adaptation of the blockchain for ethics purposes, in which the ethical elements of every project are encapsulated as components and transactions that rely on blockchain. Such a solution accommodates distributed ethics elements through an immutable, auditable and evolving historical record that is validated at every point of transaction. This untamperable entity contains an unambiguous description of all ethics considerations, and it comes with a pedigree that ensures it is sufficiently robust for legal processes. 

The ethical blockchain concept will be developed and distributed as a game that engages ethicists, seeks their opinion and ultimately provides recommendations for blockchain as a mechanism for real and effective ethics management within the computational medicine domain. 

  • What are you going to do?

You are excpected to: 

  • do original research in this field under the direction of the supervisor; 
  • participate in the many seminars by internal and external speakers as well as journal clubs and group activities; 
  • collaborate with other PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers and other Sano employees. 
  • What do we require ?

As our successful candidate you should have:

  • a 1st Class undergraduate Honours degree in a relevant discipline or a Master’s degree (completed or near completion) in a relevant discipline, such as computer science, bioinformatics, etc.;  
  • knowledge of encryption, databases, numerical methods, programming skills (python, C#);  
  • an interest in freedom in society and integrity; 
  • an interest in pursuing applied research;  
  • excellent written and oral English communication skills, to meet the entry requirements for PhD study at of the University of Sheffield 

 

  • Our Offer

We offer a fixed term contract for 40 hours per week for the duration of 4 years. This will be supported by an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The contract will include opportunities to participate in teaching and supervision of undergraduate and master students.  

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be up to 8000 PLN gross per month, based on a full-time contract (40 hours a week) for the duration of 4 years with private medical care and a sports card. 

This PhD will be a collaboration between Sano and the Insigneo institute for in-silico medicine (Sheffield). The University of Sheffield will be the degree awarding body. The student will be based in Poland, Krakow operating in conjunction with the Cyfronet supercomputing centre hosted by AGH. Visits to Sheffield will form part of the PhD for purposes of strengthened supervision and training – the student is expected to spend approximately 6 undertaking visits to collaborating institutions including Sheffield during the contract. 

Sano offers excellent opportunities for study and development, an access to many international conferences on computational medicine and a possibility to grow in a scientific society. 

If you feel that this job opportunity is the career that you are looking for, please apply immediately and give Sano a chance to meet you. Please, be informed that Sano will contact only with Candidates fulfilling the formal criteria.

  • Job application

Sano is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application.

Applications in .pdf should include:

  • a cover letter;
  • a curriculum vitae;

During later stages, you’ll also be asked to provide:

  • copies of your degree certificates; 
  • copies of your English certificates; 
  • two reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers). 
Apply for a job

Apply through Sano recruitment system. If you would like to apply for future openings feel free to send your application to our database.​