Project title: Characterisation of PKPD relationships and dose rationale for
anti-infective drugs for neglected tropical diseases.
Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of infectious
diseases that affect an estimated one billion people in the world. Current
treatments for most NTDs are suboptimal and new drugs are critically needed to
reduce disease burden.
While pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic concepts and advanced quantitative
clinical pharmacology principles have been integrated into the clinical
development of compounds across many therapeutic areas, human dose prediction
and early clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of candidate molecules
for NTDs remains empirical. Innovative approaches are required to enable
effective translation of nonclinical data, providing insight into the selection
of rational combinations and optimised clinical trial designs.
A PhD position in translational pharmacology is available at the Clinical
Pharmacology & Therapeutics Group. The primary objective of the research will
be to establish the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) properties of drug
candidates progressing into clinical development. Different approaches will be
evaluated for 1) the systematic translation of pharmacokinetic and PKPD
concepts from in vitro and in vivo systems to humans and 2) the optimisation of
clinical study protocols for the evaluation of efficacy in tuberculosis,
malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis.
Required skills: In addition to enthusiasm, motivation and independent
thinking, candidates must have working knowledge of
pharmacokinetic-/pharmacodynamic modelling, including some advanced statistical
principles (nonlinear mixed effects modelling, Bayesian statistics, clinical
trial simulations). Basic programming skills in R language, RStudio and NONMEM
are essential.
Willingness to learn and integrate knowledge from across different therapeutic
areas. Behavioural attributes such as teamwork, accurate listening, strategic
thinking, along with good oral and written English language skills will be
critical for the successful implementation of the project.
Candidates with a background in Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical
Sciences or Bioengineering are encouraged to apply.
Further information and applications can be submitted by email to Prof O Della
Pasqua ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>).
Deadline for applications: 15th January 2018.
Kind regards,
Salvatore D'Agate
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
School of Life and Medical Sciences
University College London
E-mail: s.d'[email protected]