Vacancy PhD candidate Pharmacometrics

Job description

Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's leading infectious disease killer. Each year over 10 million persons fall ill with TB, of whom 1.5 million die. There is an urgent need for new effective and safe drugs to treat this disease. However, the development and evaluation of these drugs is very complex and requires motivated researchers to tackle this challenge. Are you the motivated PhD candidate we're looking for? We look forward to getting to know you!

At the Radoudumc (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) we specialize in the design, execution and analysis of large scale international clinical trials for TB treatment. This position is embedded in the international UNITE4TB research consortium. You will be part of the Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics work package and support development of novel anti-TB drug regimens through application of pharmacometric modelling. 

You will contribute to the pharmacokinetic components of ongoing clinicals studies of novel anti-TB regimens by training and supporting the clinical teams at sites in multiple countries. Furthermore, you will lead clinical data analysis and develop population pharmacokinetic models, evaluate drug-drug interactions and perform exposure-response analyses on data from phase II clinical trials of novel anti-TB regimens. The project has large potential to contribute meaningfully to the fight against TB. 

Tasks

• Develop and evaluate pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models.
• Critically analyze data/results.
• Write manuscripts.
• Design follow-up studies.
• Supervise students.
• Present results at international conferences.
• Attend and provide training.

Place of work

The Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology at Radboudumc is hosting a vibrant and successful researcher community. The position will be embedded in the research group 'Pharmacology of anti-tuberculosis drugs', led by prof. Rob Aarnoutse and in the 'Radboud Applied Pharmacometrics group', in close collaboration with Uppsala University (prof. Elin Svensson).

Radboudumc is globally known as a center of expertise on the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). We host a dedicated research program into optimizing the treatment of mycobacterial diseases with the specific aims to develop, redevelop or repurpose drugs to optimize the outcomes of mycobacterial diseases. Research is performed to personalize the treatment and there is a focus on educating talented young researchers to make meaningful impact.

The 'Radboud Applied Pharmacometrics group' is highly specialized in using model informed drug development. Using cutting-edge approaches, we aim to design and analyze the results from clinical trials to maximize the impact of the data gathered. In close collaboration with the Uppsala Pharmacometrics department, a world-renowned institute for pharmacometrics, we aim to improve TB treatment.

UNITE4TB 
UNITE4TB is a large international research consortium that is financed by the EU and has partners in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Collaboratively, a series of drug studies are being set up to combat TB. Every year, TB affects 10 million people, of whom more than 1.5 million die. Radboudumc is the coordinating body for UNITE4TB. 

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare. 

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.

Profile

You have a MSc degree in pharmacy, molecular life sciences, biomedical sciences, biotechnology or comparable science. Experience with data analysis and/or programming is expected, with particular value placed on skills in R and NONMEM. Working independently and accuratley is not a problem for you and you take responsibility for your findings. You are a team player, like to work in a social environment and have good communicative skills. High motivation and the ability to perform under pressure when necessary complete the profile.

Employment conditions

At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.108 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.939 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• 176 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. 

And there is more..

• An Employment Conditions Selection Model, allowing you to use part of your employment conditions to your choosing. For example, you can use your gross salary to purchase additional vacation hours or hours for providing informal caregiving. Or, for example, you can use your gross end-of-year bonus to purchase a bicycle, so you pay less tax.
• Plenty of opportunities for personal development. You can take a variety of courses in our online learning environment. 
• Your well-being and vitality are a priority. For example:
  • Save time for work-life balance leave. 
  • You can enjoy unlimited access to a variety of activities five days a month and take advantage of all the facilities at Radboud Sport & Culture for only €27.05 per month (instead of €41)
  • Healthy Professionals program to help you manage your energy. 
  • Company Support Team and a personal coach if you are going through a life-changing event.
  • Financially beneficial working less through a Generation Scheme as you approach state pension age.
• Support in achieving a good work-life balance at every stage of your life. Examples:
  • Advice and courses on, for example, 'Millennial dilemmas' and 'Your Career After 57'.
  • Activities at our own mindfulness center.
  • Informal caregiving consultations if you have questions about juggling work and caregiving responsibilities at home.
• In addition to statutory pregnancy and maternity leave, Radboud university medical center offers 26 weeks of parental leave, nine of which are paid. In addition, as a partner you can take a maximum of five weeks of supplementary partner leave. During supplementary partner leave and parental leave, we supplement the UWV benefit up to 100% of your salary.
• Pension accrual at the ABP Pension Fund. Radboud university medical center pays 70% of the pension premium. 
• Discounts on supplementary packages of two group health insurances and ten other types of insurance, from home insurance to legal assistance.
• An allowance for your commuting costs of € 0.18 per km up to a maximum of 40 km one way. If you use public transport to commute, we will fully reimburse the public transport costs (2nd class). If you regularly work from home, you will receive a working from home allowance of € 2.40 per day.

Application procedure

Are you ready to think further for our patients and our care? We would like to receive your application before 15 September 2025. We will then contact you shortly.

Good to know

• This position requires a Certificate of Conduct (VOG).
• You can find more information about our application procedure and frequently asked questions on our website.
• Will you be our new colleague? Then you will be given the time and space to get to know your role, your workplace, and your colleagues. An induction day for all new colleagues is an integral part of your onboarding program. 

We are recruiting for this position ourselves. Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated, but do feel free to share the vacancy in your network!

Contact

Any questions? Or wondering what it is like to work at Radboudumc? Then send an email to Elin Svensson, Affiliated Professor. Use the Apply button to submit your application.