PhD Position in Pharmaceutical Science at Uppsala University

The Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University invites application for a PhD position in Pharmaceutical Science from highly motivated students. PhD position in Pharmaceutical Science is available for the academic session 2021-2022.

Summary

Project Description

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 45,000 students, more than 7,000 employees and a turnover of around SEK 7 billion.

The Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University has an interdisciplinary environment at the centre of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-rate education and extensive collaborations, we constitute a crucial driving force in developing our academic field. In this inspiring environment, our rich diversity of research groups, several of international prominence, design and conduct work of great scientific importance.

Among our core competencies are in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods, computational modelling and simulations, and 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 pivotal 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

Duties/Project description

A doctoral position with a focus on the 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 tumour response with survival have had an increasing impact on drug development. The project will involve applying pharmacometrics 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 selected metastases’ size (the sum of the longest diameters). With traditional statistical methods, however, the relationship between progression and longevity is often not very strong, e.g. because other therapies are allowed after the time of passage.

Similarly, the therapeutic windows proposed for clinical oncology practice are often based on vague grounds. With pharmacometrics methods, complex pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationships can be elucidated and characterized, bias minimized, and side effects can be rationally weighed against desired results to optimize dosing.

The project involves modelling and simulation based on data from clinical studies and information from the literature, e.g. target levels for clinical variables. We expect that the project will lead to new advances in pharmacometrics methods and more exact characterization of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, conducting better-substantiated relationships useful for dose optimization in oncology.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications is March 09, 2021 

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant should have an MSc degree in a relevant area, such as pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, or engineering, with a minimum of 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 in research in pharmacometrics, pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics and dose optimization.

Experience in oncology is 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. The supervisors will rank applications 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 Uppsala university’s rules and guidelines, Uppsala University’s rules and procedures. 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 may be included in the job framework (max 20%). The PhD program usually lasts for four years of research, plus maximally one year of teaching.

Application Process

The application should include (i) a motivation letter with a brief description of the candidate and research interests as well as experiences about 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 wishes to refer to, such as proficiency in English.

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