The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research are looking for a:
Postdoc – Translational Pharmacology in antibiotic regimen development
Vacancynumber: 14993

The Division of Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy (SPP) of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) aims to develop quantitative precision medicine approaches to characterize and predict variation in treatment response and enhance translational drug development strategies. Across the seven current principal investigator-led research groups of our division, the main overarching research themes are focused on (i) application of quantitative modeling/pharmacometrics in clinical pharmacology to develop optimized treatment strategies, and (ii) the development and application of systems approaches to enhance translational drug development strategies.

Our ambition is to impact development of personalized treatment strategies and innovative translational drug development through integration with clinical data, including patient data. We develop new methodological advances at the interface of quantitative systems- and clinical pharmacology/pharmacometrics and other disciplines such as innovative experimental disease models, emerging biomarker technologies, state-of-the art biophysical tools, and advanced statistical/ ML/ AI-approaches.

From the education perspective, our division is involved in the Bachelor/Master program of Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. In addition, our division is closely involved in the Master program of Pharmacy, which is jointly organized with the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). For more information about our division, please visit our website.

Project description

Tuberculosis (TB) causes 1.5 million deaths yearly. Current treatment consists of regimens of 2-4 antibiotics for 4-6 months, or longer in case of resistant TB. The preclinical pipeline of new antibiotics is promising, but prioritizing development of the regimens with the highest potential for therapeutic success is challenging. Development of innovative drug combinations should be accelerated with the use of translational pharmacological models. The group Translational Immuno-Pharmacology of Dr. Rob van Wijk is part of a large consortium comprised of several excellent experimental and computational research groups as well as industry, and governmental and non-governmental partners, is addressing the translational challenges in developing better regimens against TB.

The successful candidate will develop computational models incorporating pharmacokinetics- pharmacodynamic and/or systems (immuno)pharmacology to quantify in vitro and in vivo antibiotic drug effects for monotherapy and in combination regimens, and predict their efficacy in patients. Different modelling techniques such as population and semi-mechanistic models, logistic regression and AI/mL, and/or systems (immuno)pharmacology will be employed. This postdoctoral position is characterized by close collaboration with both computational and experimental scientists within this international consortium, within the spirit of Team Science.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct original, novel, and collaborative research projects on translational pharmacology-informed development of novel anti-TB regimens independently and with good time/project management;
• Engage in collaborative research projects between internal and external research groups within the consortium;
• Support project management within the modelling team of the consortium;
• Publish scientific articles at international peer-review journals;
• Presentation of results internally, to audiences with different backgrounds, and at national and international conferences;
• Possible support of education activities in the bachelor and master programs of biopharmaceutical sciences.

Selection Criteria

• PhD degree in the area of quantitative translational pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences or related discipline;
• Strong experience with modeling approaches such as translational pharmacology modelling, PKPD modelling, and/or preclinical or clinical pharmacological modelling;
• Experience with relevant software packages such as R, NONMEM or other relevant software, and good coding practices (version control, code review);
• Affinity with Global Health and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis;
• Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with computational and experimental scientists;
• Strong communication and writing skills and affinity to present/visualize complex data/findings;
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team;
• Excellent organisational and planning skills;
• Full proficiency in English;
• Enthusiastic, highly motivated, and independent thinker.

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 www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/science.

Terms and conditions

We offer a full-time, 1 year term position, with the possibility of renewal based on performance. You will be appointed in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The salary ranges from € 3.226 - € 5.090 gross per month, depending on experience (pay scale 10, see table on website).
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity

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.

Information

Enquiries can be made to Dr. Rob van Wijk (r.c.van.wijk@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl). If you have any questions about the procedure, please contact the secretariat of the Division of System Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Monique Tjiong (m.tjiong@lacdr.leidenuniv.nl). Information about the faculty of science can be found at www.science.leidenuniv.nl/index.php/english/ and about Leiden University at www.vacancies.leiden.edu/.

Applications

To apply for this vacancy, please submit your application online via the blue button below. Please ensure that you upload the following additional documents (in pdf format) quoting the vacancy number:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation letter (maximum one page), explaining how your experience and interests match with this postdoc position
• Contact information and/or reference letters of at least two potential references

Only applications received before July 31st will be considered.