PhD Student in fAIrHEALTH at the Centre for Research and Bioethics (CRB)

The Centre for Research and Bioethics (CRB) is an interdisciplinary centre located at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences at Uppsala University.

The researchers at the centre have basic degrees in fields such as medicine and care, ethics, philosophy, and law, and work to investigate the ethical, philosophical, and legal aspects of biomedical research and clinical practice.

Job Responsibilities

We are seeking a PhD student for the fAIrHEALTH project, which examines the ethical aspects of fairness in AI models for disease prevention. The work combines empirical and philosophical methods and primarily involves a preference study with discrete choice experiments (DCE) that will map how different stakeholders (the public, clinicians, decision-makers) value trade-offs between algorithmic fairness and predictive accuracy. The project may also include a qualitative study on how people understand the concept of fairness in healthcare and AI-based decisions, and an ethical analysis of how preferences can be weighed against technical limitations and risk of bias, and what ethical principles should guide the development of AI in healthcare.

This is an interdisciplinary collaboration, and the PhD student will be part of an international team with expertise in ethics, AI, epidemiology, and health economics focusing on preference research. The project is linked to international networks and provides an opportunity to build a strong research network.

The work will include data management and statistical analyses in RStudio, as well as development of DCE design using tools such as Ngene and Sawtooth.

The project is located at the Centre for Research and Bioethics (CRB) at the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University.

Qualifications

Eligible to apply is someone who has a basic university education of at least 180 higher education credits (hp) in medical ethics, medicine, nursing, technology, health economics, political science, public health science, or another relevant subject, as well as advanced level education (60 hp) in a relevant master's program.

Read more about doctoral education, eligibility requirements, and admission regulations here: http://www2.medfarm.uu.se/utbildning/forskarniva/ (http://www2.medfarm.uu.se/utbildning/forskarniva/)

Desirable/Meritorious

University studies in ethics are meritorious. Experience using RStudio is also an advantage.

We are looking for a person who is proactive, has problem-solving skills, and can work in a structured and quality-conscious manner. You will operate in a multidisciplinary environment where individuals with different qualifications and competencies collaborate to conduct innovative research.

Regulations for doctoral students can be found in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 §§ 1-7 and at https://www.uu.se/medarbetare/organisation-styrning/regler/?languageId=1 (https://www.uu.se/medarbetare/organisation-styrning/regler/?languageId=1)

Application

Your application should include a personal letter, CV, copies of degree certificates and transcripts, thesis, and any previous publications (e.g., C- or D-thesis). In your personal letter, please indicate 1) your experience in participating in scientific work, 2) your reasons for wanting to pursue a doctoral education, and 3) if you have experience with the statistical program RStudio. Please briefly describe how you would like to put your mark on the doctoral project beyond the DCE study described above under Job Responsibilities.

Selection Process

Selection of applicants will be based on the following criteria: fulfillment of qualification and eligibility requirements as well as previous experience in work and/or research in related fields. Selection will be made by the supervisors in consultation with the department's doctoral education group and confirmed by the department board. The doctoral education committee of the scientific area will admit the PhD student. The university will primarily consider the candidate who, after a holistic assessment of qualifications and competencies, is deemed to have the best conditions to carry out and develop the current tasks.

About the Employment

The doctoral education comprises four years of full-time studies. Other duties at the department, which involve education and administrative work, may be included within the framework of the employment (max 20%), which extends the doctoral period accordingly.

The employment is temporary, according to HF Chapter 5 § 7. The extent is full-time. Start date is 2026-04-01 or as agreed. Place of employment: Uppsala.

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Jennifer Viberg Johansson, +46 18 471 62 81, [email protected]

Welcome with your application by February 23, 2026, UFV-PA 2026/92

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international standing. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the country's most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The employment may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment during security clearance is that the applicant is approved.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising assistance.

Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Union representatives: Saco-S - [email protected], Seko - [email protected], ST (OFR/S) - [email protected]