PhD position in Pharmaceutical Science: Pharmacometrics - Oncology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University has an interdisciplinary environment at the center of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-rate education and extensive collaborations we constitute an important driving force in the development of our academic field. In this inspiring environment our rich diversity of research groups, several of international prominence, develop and conduct work of great scientific importance. Among our core competences are in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods, computational modelling and simulations, as well as patient and societal aspects, from optimizing the use of drugs in individuals to societal pharmaceutical policies. Together, we form a unique cluster of academic competences within pharmaceutical science, playing a key role in shaping the future of pharmacy in both Sweden and globally.

Our scientific focus areas in selection: Clinical Pharmacy • Drug Delivery • Molecular Pharmaceutics • Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology • Pharmacoeconomics • Pharmacoepidemiology • Pharmacodynamics • Pharmacokinetics • Pharmacometrics • Pharmacotherapy • Social Pharmacy

More information www.farmaci.uu.se.

Duties/Project description: A doctoral position with focus on characterization of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships for cancer therapy is available in the research area of ​​pharmacometrics, in the oncology team, at the Department of Pharmacy.

Models that link dosing and tumor response with survival have had an increasing impact on drug development. The project will involve the application of pharmacometric methods, via pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles, to develop strategies for optimized drug development and cancer treatment.

In oncology, early effects of drugs are evaluated via response variables based on changes in the size of selected metastases (the sum of the longest diameters). With traditional statistical methods, however, the relationship between progression and longevity is often not very strong, e.g. due to the fact that other therapies are allowed after the time of progression. Similarly, the therapeutic windows proposed for use in clinical practice in oncology are often based on vague grounds. With pharmacometric methods, complex pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships can be elucidated and characterized, bias minimized, and side effects can be rationally weighed against desired effects to optimize dosing. The project involves modeling and simulation based on data from clinical studies and information from the literature on e.g. target levels for clinical variables. We expect that the project will lead to new advances in pharmacometric methods and clearer characterization of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics leading to better substantiated relationships useful for dose optimization in oncology.

Requirements: The applicant should have an MSc degree in a relevant area, such as pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, or engineering with minimum 240 credits, including courses in pharmacokinetics, physiology, pharmacology, modelling and programming (e.g. in R). The applicant should be highly motivated and have a genuine interest for research in the field of pharmacometrics, pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics and dose optimization. Experience in oncology is a merit. The applicant is expected to have excellent skills in oral and written English. The applicant should also have good collaboration skills since the project involves interaction between different research groups and demonstrated capability to drive the research project in a structured and methodological way.

Further information about the research-level education, eligibility requirements, and admission regulations can be found at Doctoral-level programmes within Medicine and Pharmacy. Applications will be ranked by the supervisors in consultation with the Department Research-level Education group. The committee for Research-level Education at the Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy will admit the PhD student. Salaries will follow local guidelines at Uppsala University. Rules governing PhD candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines Uppsala University's rules and guidelines. The holders of PhD student position primarily devote their time to own research-level education. Other duties at the Department involving teaching and administrative tasks maybe included in the framework of the position (max 20%). The PhD program normally lasts for 4 years research, plus maximally one year of teaching.

Application: The application should include (i) a motivation letter with a brief description of the candidate and research interests as well as experiences in relation to the requirements and qualifications listed above, and the topics pharmacometrics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and oncology (ii) the candidate’s CV, (iii) copies of diplomas and certificates, (iv) two recommendation letters (where one preferably would be from a supervisor of the Master thesis) and (v) thesis, as well as other relevant documents that the applicant wish to refer to, such as proficiency in English.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
 
Starting date: 01-04-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %.

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Lena Friberg, lena.friberg@farmaci.uu.se . For questions around the employment, please contact administrative coordinator Pernilla Larsson pernilla.larsson@farmaci.uu.se .

Please submit your application by 9 March 2021, UFV-PA 2021/797.

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