Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Student Placement

Certara; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A biotechnology firm is seeking undergraduate students passionate about applying mathematical approaches to drug discovery. The role involves generating quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) models alongside experienced professionals. Candidates should have A-levels in biology and mathematics or related fields, and a self-motivated attitude. The position is based in Sheffield, UK, with no laboratory work involved. Ideal for students wanting to make an impact in pharmaceutical R&D.

Qualifications

• A-level or equivalent in biology and mathematics, physics, or computer science.
• Passionate about using mathematical approaches to improve drug discovery.
• Self-motivated and willing to work in Sheffield.

Responsibilities

• Learn about QSP and its application in drug discovery.
• Generate QSP models in collaboration with Certara staff.
• Work with clients to create user-friendly models for drug development.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Computer literacy

Familiarity with Excel

Basic programming (R, Python, Matlab)

Team collaboration

Education

A-level or equivalent in biology and mathematics, physics, or computer science

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Overview

Certara accelerates medicines using proprietary biosimulation software, technology and services to transform traditional drug discovery and development. Its clients include more than 2,000 biopharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and regulatory agencies across 62 countries.

Responsibilities

We are seeking undergraduate level first degree students who share our passion for using quantitative approaches to understand and impact complex drug discovery and development questions. The students will learn about the exciting breaking science of QSP, utilising mathematical systems models of disease to discover and develop novel medicines. They will work in close collaboration with Certara staff to help generate state-of-the‑art QSP models for users in pharmaceutical R&D. The models will be designed in dialogue with the clients and developed with a view to creating user-friendly models that will inform drug development programs from discovery to regulatory filing. This role does not include laboratory work.

Qualifications

• A-level or equivalent in biology and mathematics, physics, or computer science.
• Passionate about using mathematical approaches to improve drug discovery.
• Self-motivated.
• Willing to work in, or relocate to, Sheffield, UK.

Skills & Abilities

• Good interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate and familiar with modern communications technology.
• Familiar with Excel, PowerPoint, Word etc.
• Some familiarity with the use of search engines/PubMed etc. to find biomedical scientific data.
• Work with QSP modellers to find and interpret relevant data via literature searching and, where appropriate, capture this data.
• Rendering data in appropriate format for fitting and/or analysis.
• Data fitting, plotting, and model building as appropriate.
• Introductory knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, pharmacology, and biology (including immunology).
• Experience in basic programming, for example using R, Python or Matlab.
• Experienced in working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Contribute materially to mathematical Systems Pharmacology model development.

Certara bases all employment-related decision on merit, taking into consideration qualifications, skills, achievement, and performance. We treat all applicants and employees without regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, nationality, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental condition, genetic information, military service, or other characteristic protected by law.