Postdoctoral Researcher – Digital Health Regulation and Valorisation

VITO is looking for a postdoctoral researcher with a strong legal background and an interest in translating academic research into practical applications.

The position focuses on digital health regulation, data protection, medical device regulation and regulatory science. You will contribute to a large Horizon Europe project developing a European strategy for regulatory sandboxes in healthcare and work towards a valorization track.

The ambition is to make regulation more accessible and actionable for digital health innovators, including medical device software companies, helping them reach the market faster, more reliably and with greater certainty about regulatory expectations.

The position seeks to achieve academic excellence through high-quality publications while supporting the valorization of research outputs and their potential development into a commercial venture.

Your role

You will co-lead work on the ethical, legal and data protection aspects of healthcare innovation and implementation of regulatory sandboxes in EU. Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting a literature review on the ethical, legal and policy issues associated with regulatory sandboxes in healthcare innovation, drawing on experience from other sectors;

• Analyzing relevant EU regulatory frameworks, including the GDPR, EHDS, AI Act, MDR, IVDR, the framework for advanced therapy medicinal products and the evolving EU pharmaceutical framework;

• Assessing the need for Data Protection Impact Assessments and contributing to DPIAs, Fundamental Rights Impact Assessments and the project’s Data Management Plan;

• Coordinating partner contributions and preparing an Ethics, Legal and Data Protection Framework for healthcare regulatory sandboxes;

• Developing a valorisation strategy based on the project’s research and results;

• Working with a team of engineers to translate legal and regulatory knowledge into practical tools, methodologies, services or technology concepts;

• Engaging with companies, researchers, healthcare organisations, regulators and other stakeholders to understand their needs and validate the proposed approach;

• Contributing to the development of a value proposition, valorisation roadmap and possible commercial, partnership or grant-funded pathways.

You hold a PhD in law, preferably experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Digital health law;

• Medical device or pharmaceutical regulation;

• Health data governance and data protection;

• Artificial intelligence regulation;

• Regulatory science;

• The ethical, legal and societal aspects of emerging technologies.

Demonstrated expertise at the intersection of several of these fields is a strong advantage.

You also:

• Have a strong understanding of EU law and regulatory analysis;

• Can explain complex regulatory requirements clearly to non-legal audiences;

• Have an interest in moving beyond traditional academic research and translating knowledge into practical tools, services or technology;

• Are motivated by valorisation, entrepreneurship and the societal application of research;

• Can work independently and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international teams;

• Have strong analytical, writing, coordination and project management skills;

• Have excellent written and spoken English.

Experience with Horizon Europe projects, grant writing, regulatory authorities, technology transfer, digital health companies or medical device software is an asset.

Offer

You will join a multidisciplinary environment where legal research is directly connected to healthcare innovation and societal impact.

The position offers the opportunity to:

• Help shape a European approach to implementation regulatory sandboxes in healthcare innovation landscape;

• Work on emerging legal questions involving health data, AI and medical devices;

• Collaborate with a large international consortium including various EU institutions;

• Develop project results towards a commercial or grant-supported venture;

• Work with legal, technical, healthcare and business experts;

• Publish academic work where this supports the project’s objectives.

The position is offered as a full-time, fixed-term contract for one year, with a preferred starting date in October 2026.

Interested?

Please submit:

• Your curriculum vitae;

• A motivation letter explaining your relevant expertise and your interest in combining legal research with valorisation;

• A list of relevant publications or other outputs;

For further information, please contact Gokhan Ertaylan (sr Research Expert) via gokhan.ertaylan@vito.be

Applications should be submitted by 10 Sept 2026.