JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (Integrated Pharmacokinetic /
Pharmacodynamic modelling)
Reference:
Responsible to:
Deputy Director
Role purpose/summary:
Endoperoxides are an intrinsic part of the first line treatment for drug-resistant malaria in the
form of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies. With emergence of Artemisinin resistance
in South-East Asia there is an urgent need for the discovery and development of new
endoperoxides, as these are the some of the safest, most efficacious and fast-acting of the
antimalarials.
Novel endoperoxides with optimal pharmacokinetics that enable the use of once-daily short
treatment regimens conducive to high-compliance and high systemic drug exposures are
required to overcome or mitigate against resistance. There is an unmet need to predict the
PK of endoperoxides earlier in the drug discovery process, an in-silico PK prediction tool would
allow de-risking of one of the major factors that is synonymous with late-stage attrition
and/or emergence of resistance.
A share of the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF) has been
competitively awarded to the malaria group (Prof. Steve Ward and Prof. Giancarlo Biagini) to
predict preclinical pharmacokinetic parameters from the chemical structure and
physicochemical properties of a library of endoperoxides through the application of
QSAR/QSPR techniques in order to enable more focused endoperoxide design. This project is
run in collaboration with the University of Liverpool.
Key responsibilities:

Act as the lead for all mathematical modelling and experimental work on an Institutional
Strategic Seeding Fund project “Early Prediction of the PK of Novel Endoperoxide Antimalarial
Chemotherapies: A Cheminformatics Model to Predict Effective Drugs for Multidrug Resistant
Plasmodium falciparum.”

Plan in vivo experiments in conjunction with relevant staff that will generate pharmacokinetic
data for data modelling and assist in in vivo experiments where required.

Develop, validate and apply LC-MS methods for the detection and quantification of drug
compounds tested in vivo, ensuring the appropriate method development/validation
guidelines are followed.

Model PK data from in vivo animal models to generate pharmacokinetic parameters.

Apply QSAR/QPSR techniques to model pharmacokinetic parameters to predict them from
chemical properties/structure.

Prepare, maintain and communicate methodologies and data to other members of the group
and related stakeholders

Prepare primary data manuscripts for international journals

Responsible for working in a safe manner adhering to local and legal requirements

Any other duties commensurate with the nature and grade of the role
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Competency
Area
Qualifications,
Training &
Knowledge
Criteria
Essential
/Desirable
Assessment
PhD in quantitative modelling of
chemical systems/ computational
chemistry
E
Application Form
Knowledge of planning in vivo
experiments to generate data for
pharmacokinetic modelling.
D
Knowledge of machine learning
techniques to build quantitative
structure activity/property
(QSAR/QSPR) relationships in drug
discovery/development.
E
Knowledge of modern
approaches to
pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics
E
Knowledge of bioanalysis
techniques, in particular LCMS.
E
Basic understanding of some
common languages used in
modelling (for example C,
FORTRAN, R/S, MATLAB, Perl)
Skills &
Experience
E
Understanding of relevant Health
and Safety legislation and
procedures
E
Knowledge
of
communication
&
engagement practices
E
scientific
public
Exposure to pharmacokineticpharmacodynamic and/or
infectious disease concepts
E
Exposure to pharmacometric
software inluding NONMEM,
Monolix and/or R/ S-Plus
E
Experience of population
pharmacokinetic analysis
and non-linear mixed
effects modelling
techniques
E
Familiarity with statistical
modelling using algebraic and/or
differential equations in a
likelihood framework
E
Experience in applying machine
learning methods to build
quantitative structure
activity/property (QSAR/QSPR) with
a drug discovery/development
setting.
E
Experience of applying
bioanalysis techniques, in
particular LC-MS to quantify
pharmacokinetic data from in
vivo experiments.
E
Well developed research skills
with the ability to present
research findings in oral and
written format
E
Manuscript publication record
in peer review journals
E
Application Form,
Assessment &
Interview
Working to targets, milestones and
deadlines in a similar environment
E
Strong organisational skills
E
Computer literate with experience
of Microsoft Office applications,
with particular regard to data
handling and processing
Effective communication (both
written and verbal), with the ability
to communicate at all levels
E
Oral/written presentation at
scientific conferences
E
Interpersonal skills with the ability
to develop effective working
relationships and partnerships with
a range of people at all levels from
diverse cultures
Aptitude
E
E
Ability to engage on a scientific
level with other members of the
research group
E
Ability to use initiative and work
independently
E
Strong problem solving skills
E
Demonstrated leadership skills in
speciality area
E
Willingness to work on a practical
level with preclinical animal models
Ability to generate research ideas
and willingness to develop further
research protocols for funding
D
E
Willingness to help supervise and
train PhD and MSc students
E
Excellent attention to detail
E
Ability to work as an integral
and co-operative member of
a multi-disciplinary diverse
research team
E
Flexible attitude to work
including out of hours activities
E
Application Form,
Assessment &
Interview
and working abroad in tropical
environments
E
Evidence of self-motivation and
drive, with an enthusiastic approach
to work