PhD candidate in pharmacometrics and translational systems

Project description
Tuberculosis causes 1.5 million deaths yearly and anti-tuberculosis therapies are threatened by emergence of drug resistance. Development of innovative drug combinations should be accelerated with the use of translational pharmacological models. Moreover, host-directed therapies (HDT), which stimulate the immune system to clear the infection, are suggested as complementary strategy to antibiotics, to improve treatment outcomes and shorten treatment duration. Despite the potential of HDTs against tuberculosis, no clinically effective HDTs against tuberculosis are available due to translational challenges related to differences in the immunopharmacological effects of HDTs between preclinical species and patients.

To address these translational challenges, the PhD candidate will develop computational models incorporating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunology to quantify both antibiotic and host-directed drug effects in preclinical species (e.g. mice, zebrafish) and predict their efficacy in patients. Different modelling techniques such as population and semi-mechanistic models, agent-based models, and/or systems (immuno)pharmacology will be employed. The PhD candidate will closely collaborate with experimental scientists both at Leiden University and internationally within the spirit of Team Science. With this work, development of optimal HDT-based treatment strategies against tuberculosis will be supported.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct original, novel, and collaborative research in the framework of the project and complete your PhD thesis within 4 years;
• Publish scientific articles at international peer-review journals;
• Present at national and international conferences;
• Support education activities in the bachelor and master programs of biopharmaceutical sciences;
• Engage in collaborations between internal and external research groups;
• Follow PhD courses based on an individual training and supervision plan.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in a (bio-) pharmaceutical sciences, (computational) biology, data sciences, or a related field with a strong quantitative focus
• Prior experience with PK-PD, QSP, PBPK, system immunology modelling, or mechanistic biological modelling
• Prior demonstrable experience with computational languages (e.g. R, NONMEM)
• Good coding practices (version control, code review)
• Full proficiency in English
• Strong communication skills and affinity to present/visualize complex data/findings
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Excellent organisational and planning skills
• Interested in participating in educational tasks

Preferred skills

• Experience in or affinity with pharmacological, microbiological, preclinical experimental, analytical chemical, and/or biomedical experimental work
• Experience in or affinity with immunology
• Expertise in or affinity with machine learning

Terms and conditions
We offer a full-time appointment of initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, teaching evaluations, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended for another three years. You will be appointed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from € 2.770,- per month in the first year to € 3.539,- gross per month in the fourth year based on a full-time position (pay scale P).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career program. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see the website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness. In addition, advanced courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by the research school.

Diversity and work-life balance
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. LACDR is a highly diverse institute, in culture, background, and gender. We stand for excellence in a caring Institute. We wish to reflect society in all aspects, as we believe that this improves the dynamics in our organization. Therefore, we support and understand the need for a work/life/family balance and consequent varying working hours and places. We believe that doing good science is fun, and goes hand in hand with a friendly culture.

Our organization
Working at the Faculty of Science means being part of an exciting, dynamic scientific environment which sets high standards for its students and staff. The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is diverse, ranging from computer science, mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences.

The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 2,300 staff and over 5,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden's Bio Science Park, one of Europe's biggest science parks, where university and business life come together. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science.