PhD Position F/M Statistical methods for meta-model integration in pharmacology

Contract type : Fixed-term contract

Level of qualifications required : Graduate degree or equivalent

Fonction : PhD Position

Context

The PhD will be funded by the Governmental Acceleration Funding - PEPR Santé Numérique. The candidate will work with all partners of the PEPR DIGPHAT project.

Assignment

Context:

Pharmacology inherently requires modelling mechanisms across various scales: molecular (identifying drug action mechanisms), cellular (e.g., characterizing tissue lesions and biomarkers), and patient (pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics population variability). Notably, all these models are fundamentally longitudinal. Integrating these multiple scales is crucial to individualize treatments, including drug selection, optimal dosage, and associated regimens.

Despite the development of mechanistic models (such as those utilizing differential equations) at each scale by different research communities, there is still a lack of interoperability. Combining all relevant meta-models (each representing its own scale) will create a comprehensive digital pharmacology twin.

Traditionally, multiscale modelling has been predominantly developed within the biological sciences. Examples include the integration of data from proteins to organs and the application of multiscale and multimodal approaches for image reconstruction in medical applications. A notable characteristic of these studies is the use of a single model to address each specific outcome.

Objectives:

To propose a general pathway towards pharmacological digital twins by integrating several multiscale and longitudinal meta-models. Digital twins that enable the a priori investigation of a treatment strategy the dynamic assessment of the probability of success based on a patient’s longitudinal features.

Main activities

Main activities:

Develop models for:

  • checking the coherence of meta-models at the same level

  • chaining meta-models across different scales

  • estimating new patient trajectories.

Additional activities:

  • Write aticlers
  • Talk and poster at conferences

Skills

  • Specialization in Biostatistics, Statistics or Mathematics.
  • R or Phyton coding skills.
  • Good English level appreciated.

Benefits package

  • Subsidized meals
  • Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
  • Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.)
  • Possibility of teleworking
  • Flexible organization of working hours (after 12 months of employment)
  • Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.)
  • Social, cultural and sports events and activities
  • Access to vocational training
  • Social security coverage