ERC-funded Postdoctoral Position in Tropical Pharmacology

The Department of Pharmacy (IFF) 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 a driving force in the development of our academic field. IFF has approximately 150 employees and a turnover of nearly 180 million SEK. 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 computational modelling and simulations, PKPD, in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods, 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 include:
Pharmacometrics • Pharmacodynamics • Pharmacokinetics • Biologics • Clinical Pharmacy • Drug Delivery • Molecular Pharmaceutics • Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology • Pharmacoeconomics • Pharmacoepidemiology • Pharmacotherapy • Social Pharmacy

More information: Department of Pharmacy

Project description:

This postdoctoral position is fully funded by the European Research Council (ERC) through the Consolidator Grant TRANSPHORM (Eliminating Leishmaniasis: Novel Strategies to Prevent Leishmania Transmission and Control Sand Flies through Pharmacological Treatment), in which novel pharmacological strategies will be developed for vector control and transmission prevention of the neglected tropical diseases visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the context of the VL elimination programme in India.

This position combines elements of both design and coordination of clinical human challenge studies with sandflies (xenodiagnosis studies) in the field, including entomological & pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies; design and preparation of a cluster randomized trial on targeted mass drug administration for transmission prevention; as well as integrated pharmacometric modelling of (sandfly) pharmacokinetics, parasite dynamics, and entomological data. You will contribute to the clinical and operational aspects of multiple studies in India, working at the interface of clinical pharmacology, parasite transmission, and vector biology. The project will be performed in international collaboration with multi-disciplinary experts (entomology, clinicians, pharmacometrics, parasitologists). The candidate is expected to take a leading role in the collaborative project and will be involved in writing scientific publications and be part of the dissemination of research findings at international meetings and conferences. The position is based at Uppsala University, with the expectation of various field visits to our institutional partner in India.   

Duties

- Lead and drive an ERC-funded research project

- Design and coordinate sandfly challenge studies (xenodiagnosis studies), design and preparation of a cluster randomized trial

- Analyse and interpret complex datasets arising from these studies

- Supporting stakeholder and partner interactions, data monitoring committee preparations, and reporting to the ERC

- Work collaboratively with experimental scientists, clinicians, and entomologists

- Mentoring of PhD students working within the TRANSPHORM project

- Publish research in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and contribute to project reporting

What we offer

- ERC-funded stability: a well-supported postdoctoral position with secure funding

- Being part of a state-of-the-art research project at the forefront of battling neglected tropical diseases

- Strong computational infrastructure, high performance computing resources and software support

- Career development: active mentorship, publication support, and guidance towards independent funding

- Leadership opportunities: supervision of PhD students and ownership of a major research project

Requirements

- PhD degree in clinical pharmacology, drug development, infectious diseases, pharmacometrics, entomology, tropical medicine, or any related discipline or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in the specified field. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Priority will be given to applicants who have obtained a PhD degree no more than three years before the application deadline.  In special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

- Experience with the practical conduct or coordination of clinical trials, including protocol development and/or regulatory or ethics submissions.

- Demonstrated experience with working in international collaborations or consortia.

- Demonstrated capability to conduct and complete a scientific project in a structured and methodological manner is required.

- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Additional desirable qualifications

- Proficiency in a scripting language (R, Python) for data analysis; and/or experience with pharmacometrics software such as NONMEM.

- Experience with computational infection or transmission dynamics modelling of infectious diseases.

- Experience with human challenge studies involving insect vectors.

- Basic understanding of entomological fieldwork methods relevant to vector-borne diseases (e.g. sandfly trapping, xenodiagnosis).

- Familiarity with quantitative molecular biology techniques, such as qPCR.

- Prior experience supervising or mentoring students.

- Familiarity with institutional collaboration in India or with Indian regulatory or ethics frameworks.

- It is an advantage if you have applied for and received competitive research funding.

Application

The application should consist of a cover letter, CV, publication list, certificates of relevant degrees, an outline of the PhD thesis, and a short research statement describing the applicant’s research experiences and interests. The application should also include the names of two reference persons and recommendation letters.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position, 2 years with possible prolongation of 1 year according to central collective agreement. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date 1 September 2026 or as agreed (flexibility possible). Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position please contact:  Professor Thomas Dorlo, thomas.dorlo@uu.se.

Please submit your application by 2 August 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2110.