CALL FOR THE SELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE FBK RESEARCH CENTER IN DIGITAL HEALTH & WELL BEING
THE CHAIRMAN
Decrees
Art. 1 Premise
The Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) - www.fbk.eu - is a non-profit, public research institute, recognized for the quality of its research in science, technology, and social and human sciences as well as for its high economic and social impact. FBK is renowned for its focus on interdisciplinarity and complexity, and it is organized in various research centers.
The goals pursued by the Fondazione Bruno Kessler can be summarized as follows: broadening the horizon of its research and social responsibility, enhancing the integration of its research and innovation activities, increasing its appeal especially to young researchers, working towards a new generational and gender balance, and shifting the skills of scientific management towards a "people-oriented" managerial approach.
With its 3,500 square meters of laboratories and scientific infrastructures and a community of over 450 researchers, 140 doctoral students, 200 visiting fellows and thesis students, 700 affiliates and accredited students, Fondazione Bruno Kessler acts as a scientific and technological hub, its premises and platforms hosting a lively ecosystem of co-located ventures, spin-offs, projects and training opportunities.
Art. 2 Context
Over the course of nearly four decades, FBK has consistently maintained a leading position in the global landscape of AI research, encompassing areas such as Machine Learning, Automated Reasoning, Natural Language Processing, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Vision, Speech Recognition, and Automated Planning. Furthermore, FBK is actively involved in implementing AI systems and technologies through numerous go-to-market projects across domains such as Health and Well-being, Digital Society, Digital Industry, and Digital Agriculture. These initiatives entail the development of AI-based applications benefiting tens of thousands of citizens.
Currently the Fondazione Bruno Kessler is updating its organizational and operational model.
The assumptions of this renewal correspond to the challenges raised by climate change, demographic dynamics, and increasingly pervasive digitalization.
In response to these challenges, the Fondazione Bruno Kessler is strengthening its interdisciplinary vocation, its international connections, and its capacity to achieve economic-social impact.
Art. 3 Goals
Within this context, the vision of the Digital Health & Well Being Research Center at FBK focuses on proactive, predictive, personalized, participatory and precision medicine. The Center aims to build a rich multimodal data ecosystem—combining clinical, genomic, and environmental data—to drive AI-supported research and innovation in healthcare. Key priorities include the development of AI techniques such as predictive models, large language models and multimodal data-driven tools to support patients, physicians and caregivers in (self)managing chronic diseases (eg. Parkinson’s and cancer disease). Another important area is the use of AI to promote primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, contributing to overall well-being.
An important objective of the Digital Health & Well-Being Research Center is to ensure that its research has an impact both locally and nationally, also through the TrentinoSalute4.0 competence center— a partnership between the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Trentino Healthcare System, and FBK.
The challenge facing the new operating model includes investment in qualities of strategic vision, bolstering scientific know-how, reinforcing management skills, as well as building up a culture of inclusion and harnessing of diversity.
Art. 4 Job features
The mission of the Digital Health & Well Being Research Center of FBK will be to conduct pioneering research focused on two crucial areas:
- ICT and AI tools support prevention, thereby contributing to overall well-being.
- ICT and AI tools for the management of chronic diseases, such as Cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
The Digital Health & Well-Being Research Center will comprise FBK research groups in Data Science for Health, working on predictive models for chronic diseases and generative models for synthetic data generation in healthcare; Intelligent Digital Agents, focusing on digital assistants in the fields of prevention and mental well-being; Digital Health Research, working on the design and development of proof-of-concept and efficacy studies to validate the potential of digital medicine; and a Digital Health Innovation Lab, focusing on innovative solutions for health, eHealth digital platforms, and support systems for patients and clinicians.
The Center will benefit from the experience and scientific excellence of approximately 75 researchers and technologists , including senior researchers, emerging talents, and doctoral students affiliated with the FBK research groups.
Art 5. Position and Requirements
FBK is seeking a Director for the Research Center in Digital Health & Well-Being.
The Director will provide both scientific and managerial leadership within a high-value, collaborative team environment. We invite applications from scientists with a strong and recognized scientific reputation, as well as demonstrated managerial skills and strategic vision.
The ideal candidate will be capable of overseeing research activities and initiatives aimed at generating social and market impact in the fields of health and well-being. This includes managing the entire innovation pipeline in an integrated manner—from scientific and technological development, through proof of concept, to clinical practice.
Candidates should have proven managerial qualifications, significant national and international experience, and a well-established network within their scientific and professional communities.
Art. 6 applications
Applications for the position of Director will be received until 20 August 2025 (12 p.m. GMT+2) on https://jobs.fbk.eu/ in the form of a Curriculum Vitae (including relevant publications, R&D products, the candidate’s scientific and managerial experience; and his/her relational network in the relevant community) and a Motivation Letter (1 page).
Until the closing date for submissions, candidates may arrange a personal meeting with the Secretary General Staff in order to acquaint themselves with the Foundation and its research and study areas.
Art. 7 terms of engagement
The position of Director is a three-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal for an additional three-year term.
FBK reserves the right to assess the contractual arrangement, in terms of both working time devoted to the appointment and compensation, that best suits the profile to be identified.
Provided there is no conflict of interest, a Director may hold other outside engagements.
Art. 8 selection process
Applications conforming with the above requirements will be assessed by the Evaluating Commission appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Directors of Administration.
The Evaluating Commission will be composed of experts of proven scientific experience and representatives of governance.
In compliance with the Foundation’s Gender Equality Plan, the Evaluation Committee will be equally composed of both genders.
The Evaluating Commission’s assessment will be comprised of separate scores for: 1) the written application; 2) the publications and/or products of research and innovation 3) any formerly held scientific and/or management posts; 4) the relationship networks in the scientific communities related to the areas of reference; 5) a final interview (only for short-listed candidates).
After examining the various assessment scores, the Evaluating Commission will interview a short-list of the best-placed candidates.
In full respect of the data regulation policy, candidates admitted to the final interview will first be offered a personality test/assessment aimed at measuring their professional performance for the role sought.
The presentation of the candidates before the final interview may be followed in streaming by the Foundation’s personnel.
The final breakdown of assessment scores and a report on the procedure will be submitted to the Board of Administration who will make the final decision.
THE FBK CHAIRMAN
Prof. Ferruccio Resta
Trento, 11 June 2025
Please read the “Guidelines for selection of Directors” before completing your application.
To request information, a preliminary interview or if you need technical support with your application, please contact the following e-mail address: [email protected]
