13 PhD Students / 13 Early Stage Researchers (ESR) - Throughout Europe

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:29:55 +0100

FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN)

FightingDrugFailure (Grant Agreement Number 238132)

Marie Curie Research Training Networks, an initiative of the Commission of the European Communities, provide training and research experiences for researchers at the beginning of their careers by giving them the opportunity to spend up to three years in another country as part of an international, high-quality research project. These training networks contribute to knowledge transfer through the promotion of multidisciplinary research and the interaction of researchers on all levels working within the project. FightingDrugFailure an ITN coordinated out of the Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology (IKP), and affiliate of the University of Tübingen, in Stuttgart, Germany, will focus on Pharmacogenomics with a goal of awarding 13 PhDs from Partner Sites in the area of Pharmacogenomics.

Pharmacogenetics is the scientific discipline that relates inter-individual variation in drug response and efficacy to genetic variation. While there have been major advances in basic genomic knowledge and genotyping technologies, translation into practice has been slow. It is essential we quicken the pace of translational research in pharmacogenomics – at present, we are only just beginning to be able to define which patients are going to respond to drugs, and which patients are going to develop adverse drug reactions.

Priorities and Standards in Pharmacogenomic Standards:

Opportunities for a Safer and More Efficient Pharmacotherapy

In this ITN, our concerted action across the EU, associated countries and an international cooperation partner country in collaboration with US researchers, will train young investigators and clinicians in the principles and scientific basis of Pharmacogenomics in order to establish, evaluate and retrieve relevant genetic information from patients and relate it to clinical outcomes of drug therapy. This will be achieved through sharing patient materials, performing pooled analyses, transferring knowledge and skills across laboratories and utilizing access to high-throughput technology platforms among 5 academic institutions and 4 industry partners. This will enhance translational research, promote uniform drug treatment standards throughout Europe and, ultimately, the world, and improve the competitiveness of the EU in this emerging and exciting new field.

We are currently seeking applications for

13 PhD Students / 13 Early Stage Researchers (ESR)

looking to complete a PhD Degree in Pharmacogenomics. This 3-year mobility program will provide eligible international students with in-depth-training in a core scientific area at a host institution as well as international experiences at both academic and industry partners. Short-term visits to partner facilities will provide students with network-wide training including interdisciplinary and intersectional transfer of knowledge and new techniques.

Early Stage Researchers (ESR) - students with completed academic degrees who are now eligible to embark on a doctorate and are in the first four years of their research careers

We offer

A PhD Program based on an international, cutting-edge Pharmacogenomic Curriculum (1st in Europe)
Individualized research and training plans encompassing both academic and industry settings tailored to each specific ESR’s educational needs
Working contracts with benefits adjusted to living conditions according to EU guidelines
International placements with relocation assistance
2 Flexible start dates – spring 2010, fall 2010
Complementary Skills Training including:
presentation skills, writing workshops, manuscript preparation, grant writing, scientific and administrative project management skills, laboratory management skills, networking skills, handling of research ethics, governance and property rights issues, computational skills
Career development counseling throughout the entire PhD program
Career exploratory allowance upon completion of the PhD program

Successful applicants

Possess an internationally recognized life science degree (i.e. Chemistry, Biology, Medicine, Mathematics, Pharmacology, etc.)
Must be eligible to pursue a PhD in Pharmacogenomics
Have less than four years research experience within their research careers
Desire to train within a mobility program throughout Europe, associated countries and an international cooperation partner country and are willing to relocate to the country where their host institution is located for the duration of the PhD Program
Are interested in working towards developing and strengthening international and interdisciplinary research collaborations
Are highly motivated and able to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary international team
Possess proficiency in the English language

Qualified applicants should direct a Curriculum Vitae with Cover Letter, Two Letters of Recommendation with contact email addresses and a List of Further Qualifications preferably via email to either the ITN Project Coordinator or one of the partner sites.

Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch-Institute of Clinical Pharmacology
ITN Project Coordinator Prof. Hiltrud Brauch
Auerbach Str. 112
70367 Stuttgart
Germany

itn(AT)ikp-stuttgart.de

Cover Letters should indicate the applicant’s project or location of interest. Detailed descriptions of participating Partner Sites as well as Projects offered at each site can be found on our website www.fightingdrugfailure.net. All applications must be received by Feb. 28, 2010.

New Scientist Study

13 PhD Students / 13 Early Stage Researchers (ESR) - Throughout Europe