Application deadline: 14th December 2012

Start date: 13th January 2013.

Development of new inhalation drug treatments requires a detailed understanding of the relationship between the inhaled dose, the exposure of the lung target to the drug, and the time-course of pharmacological drug effects. This understanding is pivotal for the appropriate progression of drug compounds into clinical development. The PhD project aims to develop a new strategy and methodology to assess lung tissue target exposure to the unbound, pharmacologically active drug, as existing methodologies are associated with significant caveats. The work includes preclinical studies to determine target occupancy by the drug, and measurement of unbound versus total drug concentrations in lung tissue. The relationship between the measurements will be explored by mathematical modelling and will form a basis for a new methodology. The successful applicant should have an MSc or equivalent, a strong interest in mathematical modelling as well as previous experience with preclinical studies.

ELIGIBILITY
The PhD student will spend 50% of their time based with the private sector partner AstraZeneca (Sweden), and a further 1/3 of their time at the University of Warwick; with the remaining periods of time on secondment based at the projects associate partner sites. UK applicants are only eligible if they have been non-resident within the UK for the last 3 years.

The successful applicant will receive a stipend of £46,000 per annum

APPLICATIONS
Candidates should have a minimum first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a suitable branch of Engineering, or the equivalent in a suitable Science/Engineering degree. We ask that you submit the online application and upload your CV and transcripts.

You must complete the online application form quoting scholarship reference: PGR-MJC