PhD scholarship in the intersection of innovative health infrastructures, data sharing and complex regulatory frameworks

We are thrilled to announce a unique PhD opportunity to carry out research at the intersection of innovative health infrastructures, data sharing, and complex regulatory frameworks, with an emphasis on GDPR, EU AI Act, and other upcoming legislations). The position is hosted by the dynamic Inter-CeBIL program, anchored at the Center for Advanced Studies in Biomedical Innovation Law (CeBIL), Faculty of Law, University of Copenhagen. Supported by a 50 million DKK grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Inter-CeBIL program unites core partners from the Universities of Copenhagen, Harvard, Cambridge and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), along with research fellows and affiliates from top universities globally. The program will focus on three key areas: (1) Advanced Medical Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Quantum Technologies (QT); (2) Pandemic Preparedness and Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR); and (3) Sustainable Innovation and Biosolutions. Research in these three key areas is complemented by studies on practical implementations and use-cases, involving numerous public and private stakeholders from Denmark and around the globe.

Your research project should encompass questions relating to key areas 1 and 3, specifically focusing on the exploration of various disruptive technologies in healthcare (AI, blockchain, swarm learning, etc.,) and navigation through complexities of relevant issues such as regulatory “sandboxes,” sustainable ecosystems, and evolving legal and ethical landscapes. Your research will not only contribute to academic scholarship but will also shape policies and practices, bridging the gap between technology, law, and health.

Suggested Research Project Focus Areas:

• Detailed study of the GDPR’s impacts on data protection and privacy in healthcare and innovation.
• Exploration of upcoming regulations including the EU AI Act, European Health Data Space (EHDS), and Data Governance Act (DGA) within the scope biomedical innovation.
• Analyzing the Medical Device Regulation (MDR)’s role in ensuring the safety and performance of medical devices within the EU.
• Assessing the integration of other upcoming regulations with existing legal norms.
• Developing strategies for a harmonized legal framework in the evolving digital healthcare landscape.
• Delving into the ethical challenges arising from digital innovations in healthcare.
• Developing guidelines to uphold ethical standards in AI-enabled healthcare, addressing e.g., biases and discrimination.

Note: The research could specialize in one or more areas but is not strictly limited to these. This list is not exhaustive, and PhD candidates are encouraged to submit a research project proposal that, while aligning with the general research area, explores other related topics or issues.

The PhD scholarship is fully funded and salaried. PhD positions can commence on April 1st, 2024. The start date is negotiable.

The PhD Programme
The PhD will be part of the wider PhD Programme offered by the Faculty of Law. The PhD programme is a three-year research programme aimed at training PhD students to undertake in depth research at an international level, hone their teaching and communication skills to pursue an academic career, as well as acquire transferrable skills for undertaking a career in the public or private sector.

During the three-year period, in accordance with section 7, subsection 2 of the Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions, the PhD student must attend courses, acquire teaching experience and undertake research stays at other research institutions and universities in Denmark and abroad.

The most important aspect of the PhD programme is the preparation of a written thesis, which following an oral public defence, forms the basis for the award of the PhD degree.

For further information about the PhD programme, please see: The PhD Programme – Faculty of Law – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk).

The Faculty of Law offers supervision by highly qualified academics and provides an excellent opportunity to research contemporary legal issues in an intellectually stimulating environment.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have obtained a degree that corresponds to the Danish Master of Laws degree which is a second cycle 120 ECTS degree (two years of full-time studies), that builds on a 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree (three years of full-time studies) or equivalent qualifications. Applicants with a non-Danish Master’s degree will have their degree assessed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science in order to establish, if the Master’s degree is equivalent to a Danish Master’s degree.
• Applicants must have obtained a minimum overall grade average of 8.2 or above at the Master’s level in accordance with the Danish grading scale (for Danish scale, see https://ufm.dk/en/education/the-danish-education-system/grading-system?set_language=en&cl=en).
• Applicants may submit their application before they have completed their Master’s Degree. The Master’s degree must be obtained before the start date.
• Applicants must document an aptitude for research through the meritorious assessment of their final thesis, publications or academic recommendations in order to show that they are capable of undertaking the demanding task of writing a PhD thesis.
• Applicants must have excellent language skills in English and have excellent communications skills. Applicants must be able to teach at an academic level in Danish or English and to follow PhD courses in English.

Application procedure
Click ‘Apply now’ below to be taken to the online application form.

We advise you to have the following documents ready before you begin your online application:

• Research project proposal: This should include the following: (1) objective(s) of the research, (2) major research questions, (3) review of relevant literature, (4) methodology to be applied in the research, and (5) a timetable that plans for all course requirements to have been met within three years. The project description must elaborate on the value of the proposed research project in terms of its relevance to existing and future research in the field. It is recommended that the project proposal does not exceed 6 A4 pages (excluding bibliography). The document must be in Times New Roman, font size 12, spacing 1.5 with all margins (right, left, top and bottom) set to 2 cm
• Curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages).
• Diplomas and transcripts: Certified copies of original diploma(s) and transcripts (both Bachelor’s and Master’s degree) in the original language and an authorized English translation if they are issued in other language than English or Danish.
• Grading scale: A certified explanation of grading scale in the original language and an authorized English translation if it is available in another language than English or Danish.
• Letter of motivation: Explain the choice of the Faculty of Law at the University of Copenhagen as a host institution for the proposed project and outline how the project fits within the research priorities at the Faculty and CeBIL (maximum 1 page).
• Documentation of English level: Documentation of English level can for instance be documented by an excellent IELTS or TOEFL test.

Submit your application electronically in English.

University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all interested parties regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Recruitment process
Following the application deadline, the Associate Dean of Research will pre-select PhD applications that will proceed to the assessment stage upon the recommendation of the Selection Committee. Applicants are pre-selected for further assessment in line with the Faculty’s recruitment needs as described in this job advertisement. This is carried out based on the overall assessment of the applicant’s educational qualifications, the quality of the submitted research proposal and its relevance to the Faculty’s research agenda, and other relevant qualifications (e.g. relevant professional experience, any previous academic publications etc.). All applicants are then notified by the HR Centre as to whether their application has proceeded to the assessment stage. The assessment is carried out by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants will be notified of the composition of the assessment committee. When the committee has completed its assessment, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the assessment. A number of qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.

Terms of employment
Successful candidates will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the Ministry of Finance concerning the salary of PhD students. If you are offered a PhD position, you will receive a regular monthly salary in accordance with Danish law and you will be entitled to an annual research budget. The Faculty does not provide accommodation. If you are offered the position a certificate of criminal record must be submitted.

Additional information
For questions regarding the research project, please contact Associate Professor Marcelo Corrales Compagnucci, email: marcelo.c.compagnucci@jur.ku.dk

Information about the recruitment process is available from Dorthea Andersen at HR South and City Campuses, email: hrsc@hrcc.ku.dk. Please refer to ID number: 211-1613/23-2H #1.

Closing date for applications
The closing date for applications is January 7th 2024 at 23:59 GMT+1.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Likewise incomplete applications (i.e., without all required documents) will be rejected.