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ESR2

EU  Ocuther

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 722717.

ESR2: Profiling of ADME properties of drug candidates and retinal cells models; University of Eastern Finland (Finland)

At the University of Eastern Finland, we perform research and educate students covering a broad spectrum of the academic fields. We are located in Kuopio on a green, lake-side, modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities that include pharmaceutical sciences, medicine, biotechnology, dentistry, physics, and materials sciences. The University of Eastern Finland is among the best universities in Finland with particular strength in health science.

The School of Pharmacy at the University of Eastern Finland invites applications for the OCUTHER – European Training Network within Marie Sklodowska Curie Programme. The applications are invited for a

DOCTORAL STUDENT POSITION (Early Stage Researcher 2: Profiling of ADME properties of drug candidates and retinal cell models)

Drug delivery to the retina requires detailed information on physicochemical properties and systemic and/or local disposition of the drug candidates.  In this ESR project, novel ADME tools will developed and ADME properties of drug candidates will be investigated both experimentally and computationally. The project will generate information on the protein and mRNA expression and ADME properties of different retinal cell models in comparison with human tissues. The PhD thesis project aims to provide tools to assess permeability, uptake and efflux, and metabolism of ocular drug candidates for oral/systemic and local delivery.

Required background: MSc degree in an appropriate field of science (e.g. pharmacy, medicine, chemistry, biology).

Prof. Paavo Honkakoski’s and Prof. Arto Urtti’s research groups work in close collaboration at the University of Eastern Finland, School of Pharmacy, and they offer multi-disciplinary training in the field of biopharmaceutical sciences. The groups’ current target is to develop tools to assess ADME properties of ocular drug candidates and to gain understanding of novel ocular drug delivery. Our research activity involves characterization of cell models with respect to their metabolic and transport properties, and assessment of permeation and metabolism drug candidates. The OCUTHER network will provide training across a wide range of disciplines including biology, pharmacology, chemistry and ophthalmology, ensuring an interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral learning experience. You will be enrolled in the University of Eastern Finland Doctoral Programme in Drug Research (DPDR) and will defend your PhD at the end of the project. The PhD research at the University of Eastern Finland will be conducted in English. You will perform your PhD research in a multidisciplinary Initial Training Network (ITN) project OCUTHER.

What we have to offer

  • Employment: 1,0 FTE;
  • Duration of the contract: 4 years;
  • At the beginning of the employment period a doctoral student’s salary will range from €2500 to €3000 gross per month before income tax and statutory work-related deductions.
  • All standard pension benefits and occupational health care are provided for university employees.

What we expect from you

At the time of recruitment, you must be in the first four years of your research career and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. You have excellent communication skills and are able to work efficiently in a team. Recruitment is open to all nationalities, but because of mobility rules defined by the EU, at the time of recruitment, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months in the three years immediately prior to the reference date (compulsory national service and/or short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account).

Would you like to know more?

  • Further information on: www.ocuther.eu
  • For more information about this vacancy and the project, please contact:
    • Prof. Paavo Honkakoski;
    • E-mail: paavo.honkakoski@uef.fi

Are you interested?

Your application should include (and be limited to) the following attachments:

  • Letter of motivation
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Brief statement on how you will contribute to this project

A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The application needs to be submitted not later than 5.2.2017 (by 24.00 hours Finnish time) by using the electronic application form.

Apply for the job