Sano presents an upcoming opportunity for researchers and aspiring scientists who want to help shape the future of medical image analysis and computational modelling of the cardiovascular system. We are preparing to open multiple positions within a First Team project of the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) focused on developing a digital twin of the facial blood vessels for precise blood pressure simulation. The Principal Investigator of the project is Dr Marek Wodziński.
This announcement is intended as an early invitation to express interest. Dedicated job advertisements and formal recruitment processes for three PhD candidates, a postdoctoral researcher, and two MSc students will be launched at a later stage.
About the Project
The project, titled “Digital twin of facial blood vessels – precise blood pressure simulation” (FaceTwin), aims to develop a system that reproduces the real topology and morphology of the facial blood vessels and simulates blood flow and pressure distribution within them, in order to support accurate, contactless blood pressure measurement.
Approximately 1.4 billion people aged 30–79 live with hypertension, and around 44% of them remain undiagnosed and untreated (WHO). Contactless measurement based on the photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal recorded from the face is one of the most promising methods of early detection; however, its accuracy remains limited by the difficulty of relating facial pulsation and pressure to values at standard measurement sites, such as the arm or finger. The team will develop methods for topology-preserving segmentation of facial blood vessels, numerical simulation of blood flow under external haemodynamic inputs, and generation of synthetic facial video data with known pressure values for training AI models. The research will be based on imaging data acquired from healthy adult volunteers.
The initiative brings together an international academic partner, the Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine at the University of Sheffield, and an industry partner, ShenAI, reinforcing an international and interdisciplinary research environment. Work on the project is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027 and continue until 31 December 2029 at Sano.
Working at Sano
Sano is an international scientific foundation dedicated to translating cutting-edge computational research into tangible healthcare solutions, operating at the intersection of academic excellence, clinical practice, and industrial innovation. Based in Kraków and supported by strong European and global partnerships, the institute fosters a collaborative environment where curiosity, societal impact, and scientific excellence go hand in hand.
Joining this project means becoming part of a research ecosystem with access to international collaborators and opportunities to contribute to work with global relevance.
A Forward-Looking Invitation
While recruitment has not yet opened, we encourage talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to begin considering this opportunity, especially those motivated by interdisciplinary research, real-world impact, and scientific discovery.
We particularly welcome applications from women, persons with disabilities, and researchers from groups traditionally underrepresented in computational sciences. Research environments thrive on diversity of perspectives, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture in which all scientists can grow and lead.
Mobility is highly valued within the project. The project foresees research visits to the University of Sheffield, joint scientific supervision with the partner institution, and participation in international conferences and summer schools. Candidates who bring international experience or who are eager to expand it will find an environment designed to support academic development across borders.
Who May Be Interested
Future calls will target individuals with interests spanning areas such as medical image analysis, deep learning, computer vision, image segmentation and registration, MRI and ultrasound imaging, computational fluid dynamics, haemodynamic modelling, and generative AI. Whether you are at the beginning of your scientific journey or looking to deepen your research independence, this project will offer the chance to contribute to a pioneering initiative combining artificial intelligence and computational modelling of the cardiovascular system.
Stay Connected
Detailed position descriptions, eligibility criteria, and application procedures will be announced in the coming months. If you are motivated by the prospect of developing technologies for non-invasive, contactless blood pressure monitoring, we encourage you to follow Sano’s career channels and prepare to apply when the calls open.
Be among the first to help build a research team dedicated to advancing cardiovascular diagnostics through medical image analysis, computational modelling, and artificial intelligence.
Requirements
Research Field: Computer science
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Languages: English — Excellent