Anne Smits
Top university
Just Landed
New Today
PhD Position in Neonatal Clinical Pharmacology: Drug Exposure-Response Modelling in Critically Ill Neonates KU Leuven in Belgium
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Biology
Funding
Available
Deadline
Sep 28, 2026
Country
Belgium
University
KU Leuven
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
More information can be found here
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
KU Leuven is offering a PhD position in neonatal clinical pharmacology focused on drug exposure-response modelling in critically ill neonates.
This project is part of a research line in developmental pharmacology and is carried out in collaboration between the Department of Development and Regeneration, the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of University Hospitals Leuven. The aim is to improve understanding of how commonly used medicines affect critically ill newborns by combining real-world neonatal datasets, advanced bedside neuro-monitoring, and modern pharmacometric methods.
The research will concentrate on neuroactive and analgesic/sedative drugs including doxapram, fentanyl, and dexmedetomidine. The successful candidate will analyze pharmacokinetic and clinical datasets, integrate drug concentrations with pharmacodynamic endpoints and cerebral monitoring data, and develop population PKPD and/or physiologically based PK-PD models. The work is intended to characterize exposure-response relationships and support better evidence-based dosing in neonates.
The PhD candidate will join an interdisciplinary environment involving clinicians, pharmacologists, pharmacometricians, and engineers. Activities include literature review on developmental cerebral pharmacodynamics, model development and evaluation, scientific writing, conference presentations, and publication in peer-reviewed journals. The project also includes support for writing an FWO PhD fellowship proposal.
Applicants should hold a relevant master’s degree in fields such as Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Drug Development, Bioengineering, Statistics, or Applied Mathematics. A strong interest in clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics, translational research, and quantitative modelling is essential. Experience with PK, PKPD, PBPK, NONMEM, Monolix, Simcyp, nlmixr, R, MATLAB, or Python is considered an advantage.
The position is a four-year PhD at KU Leuven, with an evaluation after the first year. The trajectory is expected to start at the end of October 2026. KU Leuven highlights access to unique neonatal datasets, advanced monitoring infrastructure, training in pharmacometrics and neonatal research, and an internationally recognized multidisciplinary research setting in Leuven, Belgium.
Funding details
Available
What's required
A Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Drug Development, Bioengineering, Statistics, Applied Mathematics or a related discipline is required. Applicants should have a strong interest in clinical pharmacology, pharmacometrics and translational research, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, affinity for quantitative data analysis and modelling, excellent written and spoken English, and the ability to work independently as well as within an interdisciplinary team. Strong assets include experience in pharmacometrics, population PK, PKPD or PBPK modelling, use of NONMEM, OSP Suite, Monolix, Simcyp, nlmixr or similar platforms, programming in R, MATLAB and/or Python, and analysis of physiological or biomedical data.
How to apply
Apply for the position through the provided KU Leuven application link. Upload a motivational letter and curriculum vitae with your application. For questions, contact Prof. dr. Anne Smits or Prof. dr. Pieter Annaert by email.
Ask ApplyKite AI
Professors
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.