The Research Department of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) requests applications from suitably qualified candidates for a PhD position in the field of Clinical Pharmacology with a focus on Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling in understudied populations.
This scholarship will be embedded within the study entitled “MILK-PBPK: Maternal and Infant Lactation Pharmacokinetics-PBPK”, with Prof. Catriona Waitt as the Principal Investigator (PI). This opportunity is fully funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling is a mechanistic approach to studying and predicting the pharmacokinetics of drugs based on physiologic and anatomic characteristics, as well as the physical and chemical properties of a given drug. This doctoral position will employ PBPK modelling techniques to optimize treatment for malaria and other conditions relevant to Africa, especially in understudied populations including pregnant or lactating women and their infants.
In the period 2024-2027, we seek to support two scholars at Makerere University with hands-on research training, high-level mentoring, and protected time to develop into a capable researcher able to use PBPK models to inform medication use in African populations. During these three years, the scholar will be a core member of the MILK-PBPK study team, thereby gaining access to the clinical context in which clinical pharmacokinetic studies are undertaken and provided with the necessary support to develop and implement their PhD work within this already fully funded study.
The scholar will be directly supervised by the study PI, Dr Adeniyi Olagunju from the University of Liverpool plus other experts and will report progress and activities to the Research Capacity Building Unit at IDI.
In line with the IDI aspiration of building sustainable capacity, the PhD scholar is also expected to co mentor another generation of students at the master’s level.
The scholarship will fund fees, research costs associated with the duration of the program, and a competitive monthly stipend. Scholars affiliated with this program will have the opportunity to participate in various short, structured courses and skills-building sessions at IDI and across other collaborator sites worldwide.
Highly motivated individuals, capable of self-directed study and planning a career in infectious diseases, clinical pharmacology or pharmacometrics are invited to apply for this scholarship at IDI.
Start Date: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a 3-day introductory workshop on PBPK modelling in January 2024 to gauge their interest and readiness to enrol in a modelling-based program. The final selection will be made after this workshop. The proposed start date for the PhD is the 1st of June 2024. However, this can be sooner depending on the availability of the candidate.
Deadline for all applications:
15 October 2023
Requirements
- Have completed a master’s program in a related discipline such as physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, pharmacy, statistics, mathematics etc.
- Have demonstrable experience in basic data handling and statistics.
- Have excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Candidates should be able to work collaboratively with local and international partners outside the University system.
- Candidates should have a passion for excellence in research, and good team skills while being able to work independently.
- Applicants who have applied for admission or have been offered admission into a relevant PhD program at Makerere University are at an added advantage.
- Applicants who have previously submitted/published their work in peer-reviewed Journals are at an added advantage.
Key deliverables at the end of the 3-year scholarship period will be:
- At least 3 publications in a peer-reviewed journal
- Submission of the PhD thesis for final viva voce examination
- Co-mentorship of at least 1 master’s level student
- Submission of a research grant for funding consideration
How to apply:
✓ Interested persons should address their application letters (and any further questions about this opportunity) to the Senior Human Resource Manager, Infectious Diseases Institute Knowledge Centre, Makerere University Main Campus; College of Health Sciences Makerere University P. O. Box 22418, Kampala
✓ Please Email your application and CV to hr@idi.co.ug and copy cwaitt@liverpool.ac.uk ✓
Please note that the subject of the email must be stated as “MILK-PBPK PhD position.”
The application should comprise:
- A letter of application stating the motivations to pursue a research career and future aspirations. Please include your mobile phone number and an email address
- A 2-page summary of how PBPK can be useful to predict drug exposure in complex and understudied populations.
- CV (maximum 2 pages) including publications if available.
- 2 letters of reference
- Copies of your academic transcripts
Key Notes:
1. IDI is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a recruitment fee or any other fees at any stage of the recruitment process
2. Make sure that your application letter, CV, and certificates are attached as one document
3. Indicate the subject line of your email as stipulated in the advert
4. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.