Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Modelling of Human Drug Metabolism, School of Medicine,...

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed-term position as a Postdoctoral Researcher/Software engineer in the recently established Molecular">http://thielelab.eu/">Molecular Physiology Research group, led by Prof. Ines">https://scholar.google.lu/citations?user=d7jPf4EAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=a... Thiele, at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

This position is funded by European Research Council (ERC) and is available from the earliest possible start date in May 2022, to the contract end date of April 31st , 2023, with the option of extension.

This position is part of the ERC funded project BugTheDrug “Predicting the effects of gut microbiota and diet on an individual’s drug response and safety. The project aims at developingnovel approaches that explicitly account for individual variations in drug response due to environmental influences, in addition to genetic variations. The human gut microbiota metabolises drugs and is modulated by diet, and it exhibits significant variation among individuals. However, the influence of the gut microbiota on drug failure or drug side effects is under-researched. In this project, we will combine whole-body, genome-scale molecular resolution modelling of human metabolism and human gut microbial metabolism with physiological, clinically relevant modelling of drug responses. In the course of the project, two pilot studies on human subjects will be carried out to illustrate that this innovative, versatile computational modelling framework can be used to stratify patients prior to drug prescription and to optimize drug bioavailability through personalized dietary intervention. This project will advance a mechanistic understanding of drug-microbiota-diet interactions and their contribution to individual drug responses. Moreover, the project will conceptually and technologically address the demand for novel approaches to the study of individual variability, thereby providing breakthrough support for progress in precision medicine.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will develop pharmacokinetic models of human drug metabolism and integrate them with constraint-based models of human metabolism.

Duties:

• Development of drug-specific kinetic models (PBPK models).


• Integration of the PBPK models with constraint-based models of human metabolism.


• Analysis of the hybrid computational models.


• Interaction with international collaborators.


• Writing of writing scientific papers, reports, and grant applications.

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements:

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or related fields.

• Demonstrable expertise in kinetic modelling (e.g., ODE based models).


• Experience with programming in Matlab.


• Excellent communication skills are required.


• Excellent working knowledge of English is required.


• High motivation and interest in interdisciplinary work is required.

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in PBPK modelling.


• Experience in constraint-based metabolic modelling (COBRA toolbox).

• Knowledge of human drug metabolism.

• Working knowledge of statistical methods and tools is of advantage.


• Programming experience in other languages is of advantage (Julia, R, Python).

Salary: Point 1 – Point 10 PDR €39,522– €51,036 per annum, pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply). 

Start date: Position is available from the earliest possible start date in May 2022

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans.  

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research">http://www.nuigalway.ie/our-research/">Research at NUI Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

">http://www.euraxess.ie/">www.euraxess.ie

Further information about Molecular Systems Physiology Group is available at http://thielelab.eu .

">http://thielelab.eu/">http://thielelab.eu.

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, a motivation letter, description of previous work experience, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr. Cyrille Thinnes: cyrille.thinnes">mailto:[email protected]">cyrille.thinnes @nuigalway.ie

Please note that the reference number NUIG RES 091-22 must be in the subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm 6th May 2022

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment