Courses.

ACADEMIC, POSTDOC and POSTGRADUATE POSITIONS

Research studentships and Postdoc positions are rarely advertised as 'psychedelic' opportunities, but work in this field does exist.

When applying for positions it is important to remember that most of the Institutions will not usually be looking for candidates with a strong psychedelic background. How much stress you place on this in any application to a particular institution must be a matter of very careful judgement. More often than not, it is better to keep quiet about your specific interest until you have established a strong reputation.

UNDERGRADUATE and NON-ACCREDITED PROGRAMMES

Our Undergraduate courses feature is in development

Course overview

Course name: PhD Studentship in Prediction of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of inhaled molecules in man
University/institute:
Location: United Kingdom
Start date: 2009-05-19
Fields of interest: PhD Studentship in Prediction of the pharmacokinetic behaviour of inhaled molecules in man

Course details & information

The School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline invites applications for a prestigious 4-year BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD studentship commencing in October 2009. Funding will provide full support for the UK/EU tuition fee and a tax-free minimum annual stipend of £15, 790. Applications are restricted to UK/EU* nationals due to the nature of the funding.

Inhaled administration represents an important therapeutic dose route for a range of medicines from many therapeutic areas. There have been substantial advances in pharmacokinetic predictions of metabolic clearance and drug-drug interactions (DDI) using in vitro data and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. Most effort has centred on supporting intravenous or oral drug administration. A number of concepts and experience (at both the experimental and modelling level) in these areas would be of considerable value when applied to inhaled research.

There is much interest in developing investigating PBPK models based on tissue phospholipid composition. The lung contains high levels of acidic phospholipids and particular sub cellular compartments (e.g., lysosomes). It would be possible to detail the physiological composition of the lung and to attempt to model lung residence. Hence drug plasma concentration time profiles of inhaled molecules may be predictable and the use of physicochemical data would be explored. Although inhaled compounds are generally given at low doses (<10mg), there is a potential for interaction with metabolizing enzymes or transporters in the gut since it is established that up to 80% of an inhaled compound is swallowed. For inhaled molecules, which are generally pharmacologically potent compounds, small changes in route of absorption into the body could potentially lead to significant changes in side effects.

The successful candidate will develop a number of research and technical skills in regards to different in vitro systems and in silico modelling of the generated data. This will provide invaluable training for individuals intending to pursue a career within the pharmaceutical industry or other biotechnology areas.

Applications are welcomed from candidates holding, or expecting to obtain, a first or upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject such as pharmacy, pharmacology, biochemistry or biomedical sciences. Experience in in vitro metabolic systems (e.g. microsomes and hepatocytes) would be desirable but not essential.

In order to qualify for this studentship, applicants must have been permanent residents of the UK since 1 September 2006 for educational or employment purposes.

Interested in this course?

If you're intrested in this course and/or want to find out more, please contact: Formal applications should be submitted in the form of a CV and covering letter outlining suitability for the study to Professor Brian Houston at brian.houston@manchester.ac.uk. Contact details for two referees should also be provided. For further information on the project please contact Professor Houston at the above address. Applications will be welcomed up to and including Monday 1 June 2009

Course posted: 2009-05-20 07:18:38
last updated: 2009-05-20 07:18:38

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