FBK: call for applications for the Director of the Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing

Within FBK’s 12 Research Centers—established under the Foundation’s new organizational model—the Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing focuses on advancing proactive, predictive, personalized, participatory, and precision medicine.

The Center’s mission is to conduct pioneering research in two key areas of healthcare:

• The development and application of information and communication technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to support preventive measures, thereby contributing to the overall wellbeing of the population;
• The use of ICT and AI tools to manage chronic conditions, such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

A key objective of the Center is to build a robust ecosystem of multimodal data that integrates clinical, genetic, and environmental information. This ecosystem will drive research and innovation in AI-supported healthcare. Priority areas include the development of predictive AI models, large language models, and multimodal tool-based systems designed to support patients, clinicians, and caregivers in managing chronic diseases. Equally important is the use of AI to enhance primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies, ultimately improving population health and wellbeing.

Given that digital medicine and artificial intelligence are poised to become vital tools for addressing the future challenges of the National Health System (NHS), the Center also aims to foster a paradigm shift—”culturally”, in addition to technologically, and organizationally.

The strategic goal of the Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing is to ensure its research generates both local and national impact. This activity is carried out through TrentinoSalute 4.0, a competence center launched in 2018 as a partnership among the Autonomous Province of Trento, the Trentino Health System, and FBK. It formalizes a long-standing collaboration among the partners.

“Fondazione Bruno Kessler has the tools and expertise to act as a catalyst for this innovation process, involving all healthcare stakeholders—citizens, volunteer associations and schools, healthcare professionals, policymakers, healthcare managers, and professional health associations,” said Stefano Forti, the current Director of the Center, who will conclude his mandate at the end of the year.  “Through TrentinoSalute 4.0, FBK has been able to play a unique and central role in Italy and Europe in implementing this healthcare ecosystem, thanks to its DNA as a Research and Technology Organization (RTO).”

The new Director will be expected to provide both scientific and managerial leadership in a collaborative and high-value research environment. Candidates should possess a strong and recognized scientific reputation, coupled with proven managerial capabilities and strategic vision. The Director will oversee research activities and initiatives aimed at delivering social and market impact in the fields of health and wellbeing. This includes managing the entire innovation pipeline—from scientific and technological development to proof of concept and clinical application.

Applications are open until August 20, 2025. The full call for applications is available HERE.

Currently, the Center for Digital Health & Wellbeing includes several research groups: Data Science for Health, which develops predictive models for chronic disease and generative models for synthetic healthcare data; Intelligent Digital Agents, focused on digital assistants for prevention and mental health; Digital Health Research, which designs and conducts proof-of-concept and efficacy studies to validate digital medicine solutions; Digital Health Innovation Lab, dedicated to creating innovative health solutions, digital eHealth platforms, and support systems for patients and healthcare professionals. The Center draws on the expertise of approximately 75 researchers and technologists, including senior scientists, emerging talent, and PhD students affiliated with FBK research groups.