- Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence
- Developing the next generation of artificial intelligence | machine learning and quantum-centric supercomputing tools
- To power interdisciplinary research programs that aim at understanding the causes of neurodegenerative diseases and neuron longevity.
- To solve real-world challenges, thus accelerating innovations and the future of computing for the benefit of society.
News
What is
CLARA?
CLARA represents the interdisciplinary Center of Excellence, the first of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on the next generation of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications and quantum-centric supercomputing tools to push the frontier of neurodegeneration research, particularly Alzheimer‘s disease, by processing large-scale multidimensional biological and clinical data using powerful supercomputers and quantum methods.
Show more HideWhat is decisive for the CLARA’s focus?
There are over 50 million people worldwide living with dementia today, and this number is expected to reach 82 million by 2030. According to the World Alzheimer Report 2020, the global annual cost of dementia is estimated to be more than US$ 1 trillion and is forecasted to double by 2030.
We believe that Europe as a whole has the most up-to-date scientific and clinical knowledge to understand the complexities of neurodegeneration and to develop new technological and therapeutic innovations. Europe has long been a major driver of global innovation but has recently lagged behind in growth sectors and in areas of innovation such as genomics, quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
CLARA will use Europe’s full potential and contribute to change.
What is CLARA’s innovative perspective on neural health and aging?
The grand challenge of vitality and longevity of neurons The conventional approach in dementia research to explain neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's is to focus on presumed mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction leading to failure in particular neural systems. CLARA wants to be more ahead of the curve and is therefore tasking a bold new question: What are the essential conditions to maintain optimal function, vitality, and longevity of neurons for over 100 years?
Show more HideHow does CLARA want to achieve this?
In CLARA, cutting-edge technologies meet groundbreaking research in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). In CLARA, we explore the complex interactions between molecular, behavioural, and clinical aspects of NDs through the integration of Quantum Computing (QC), High-Performance Computing (HPC), and Hybrid Computing (HPCQC), powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). By harnessing deep domain expertise and processing large-scale biological and clinical data, CLARA aims to advance our understanding of these transformative technologies. Our work accelerates innovation in computing, tackling real-world challenges, and ultimately benefiting society.
Show more HideWhat are main CLARA’s building blocks?
- ● Gathering excellent researchers and innovators to allow a new quality of interdisciplinary research
- ● CLARA Testbed - an innovative distributed hybrid computing infrastructure integrated with EuroHPC supercomputers and quantum computers
- ● Pilot use case - Evaluating the Calcium Brain Aging and APOE Cascade hypotheses
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● Three research programmes:
- ● RP1: Quantum-accelerated supercomputing and machine learning to address protein dynamics, aggregation, and modulation by small molecules.
- ● RP2: Expanding systems biology with clinical phenomenology of AD to understand time and scale coupling using generative AI and hybrid computing (HPCQC)
- ● RP3: Development of multiscale/cross-modal patient/deep-learning models of AD in the hybrid quantum-classical computing environments
How is CLARA organised?
CLARA serves as a catalyst for cross-institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together the best teams from diverse institutions under a shared scientific vision. By fostering strong connections between different disciplines and research organizations, CLARA ensures a flexible, transparent, and innovative approach to governance. Built on a solid legal and scientific foundation, CLARA establishes a groundbreaking organizational platform that unites top-tier R&D&I teams from across the Czech Republic and beyond, driving innovation and excellence.
Show more HidePartners
List of job positions
The International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center (INDRC) is a private, not-for-profit research institute bringing together leading experts in neurodegeneration and artificial intelligence to achieve breakthroughs in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. INDRC was established in 2021 as an international institute with a transparent governance model and a new research organization within an ecosystem of committed partners, including universities, research institutes, clinical centers and collaborating companies. For more information about the research institute, please visit the website https://indrc.cz/ and the social network LinkedIn
The prestigious European CLARA grant of EUR 43M (https://www.clara-center.eu/), is an interdisciplinary center of excellence focused on the use of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and supercomputing to push the boundaries of research on the human brain, its structure, and neurodegeneration, in particular Alzheimer's disease. Through breakthrough technologies and scientific research design, the project aims to bring together fragmented disciplinary knowledge, large-scale biological and clinical data to contribute to a better understanding of the origins and prevention of these diseases.
CLARA is a project of European significance and is funded by the European call Teaming for Excellence and the Czech part of Teaming-CZII announced by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic.
We are looking for a new colleague to join the CLARA project to serve as the Ethics and Security Specialist.
| Amount of time: | 1,0 time or by agreement |
| Start date: | September 1, 2025 or by agreement |
| Employment relationship: | Employment contract |
What will be your job description?
Ethics and Security Specialist is responsible to proceed with following tasks related to Ethical considerations, integrity, transparency, and accountability in scientific research and R&D&I environment:
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Research and Publication Ethics
- to enforce a strong sense of research integrity among scientists, emphasizing the importance of honesty, accuracy, and reliability in the scientific process,
- to educate researchers on proper authorship, citation, and peer review practices,
- to provide training and guidance so the R&D staff prevent and mitigate the risk of unethical behaviors such as duplicate publication and biased reporting.
- Requirements of Cyber-Security and trustworthy AI laws following Ethics Guidelines and ethical considerations and EU AI Act regarding the trustworthy and human-centered integration of AI into research and practice.
- Ensuring and overseeing data protection, GDPR principles.
- Managing conflicts of interest. Maintaining objectivity and credibility of scientific research, strategies for identifying, disclosing and managing conflicts of interest based on EU and international standards (e.g. OECD standards on conflicts of interest).
- EU Green Deal requirements and DNSH principles.
- Promoting the principles of digital humanism.
What qualities must a suitable candidate have?
- A proven background and track record in ethics or law (e.g. Master / PhD of Law).
- Experience with training and educational events.
- Advanced knowledge of the English language, both written and verbal.
- Self-sufficiency, reliability, diligence, ability to take a long view, time flexibility, ability to work as part of a team.
What do we do, what do we offer and what can you be a part of?
- Excellent science and research: we cooperate with internationally renowned scientists from the Czech Republic and abroad, top scientists in the field of artificial intelligence and brain research.
- Motivating work environment: We work on prestigious projects with real-world impacts and we are part of international teams of experienced professionals.
- Friendly team: we stick together and good working relationships, mutual trust and openness are essential for the functioning of our team.
- Flexible working: home office and flexible working hours are available.
Interested in joining our team?
Please send us to clara@indrc.cz by May 20, 2025, 11 AM CET:
- A cover letter in English containing specific experience, including references to papers or paper abstracts.
- Structured CV in English
- Proposal for the structure of a training program in Research and Publication Ethics
Project Overview
Funding Horizon Europe
| Project title | Center for Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing in System Brain Research |
| ID | 101136607 |
| Link to Cordis | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136607 |
| Acronym | CLARA |
| Supported by | European Commission Granting authority: European Research Executive Agency |
| Programme | EC‘s Horizon Europe Teaming for Excellence Program Call: HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-01 Topic: HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-01-01-two-stage Type of action: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) |
| Project duration | 1 November 2024 - 31 October 2030 (72 months) |
| Total budget / Eligible costs | 14 999 782.50 EUR (max grant amount) |
| Coordinator | INDRC – International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center |
| Partners | CIIRC CTU – Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics CTU in Prague VSB-TUO – Technical University of Ostrava | IT4Innovations ICRC – International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno PBI - Paris Brain Institute, France LRZ – Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany |
| Main investigators |
OPJAK Complementary National Funding
| Project title | Centrum pro umělou inteligenci a kvantové výpočty v systémovém výzkumu mozku (Center for Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing in System Brain Research) |
| ID | CZ.02.01.01/00/23_029/0008437 |
| Supported by | Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports (MEYS) of the Czech Republic |
| Programme | ESIF-MEYS Johannes Amos Comenius Programme (P JAC) Call No. 02_23_029 Teaming-CZ II |
| Project duration | 1 January 2025 - 31 December 2028 (48 months) |
| Total budget / Eligible costs | 699 945 064,98 CZK (approx. 29.4 mil. EUR) |
| Main Beneficiary | INDRC – International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center |
| Main investigators | CIIRC CTU – Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics CTU in Prague VSB-TUO – Technical University of Ostrava | IT4Innovations ICRC – International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno |
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136607 and has been co-funded by the European Union within the project CLARA - Center for Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing in System Brain Research (reg. no. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_029/0008437).
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.