PhD Scholarship - Research to Develop Better and Safer Pain Medications

Description

 

There is an urgent need for the development of effective pain medication that is also safe. Current pain medications targeting the mu-opioid receptor such as morphine, fentanyl, and tramadol are addictive and are ineffective when used long-term. The use of these pain medications contributes to the opioid crisis, which kills hundreds of people each day. In New Zealand, 1 in 5 adults suffer from chronic pain and 50% of pain sufferers report little pain relief with current treatments. This causes a significant impact on the health and well-being of pain and addiction sufferers, their whanau, and society. Our novel drugs targeting the kappa-opioid system are not addictive and do not cause fatal respiratory side effects.

This PhD research project will be addressing this important issue. This PhD research project will utilize preclinical models to evaluate a novel drug library to select the best compound that is effective in treating pain and devoid of side effects to progress through preclinical development.

The successful PhD applicant should be highly motivated, be able to work independently and as part of a larger team, and poses some of the following skills.

• Be organized and meticulous in their work
• Be able to work to deadlines
• Have strong written and oral communication skills
• Have skill in a combination of the following: cell culture; small animal handling; microscopy; confocal microscopy; immunohistochemistry or histology.

A knowledge of biology, neuroscience, behavioral, cellular, or molecular biology

 

 

History

 

This is an HRC-funded Research Project.

 

 

Selection criteria

 

Selection will be made on the basis of academic merit, knowledge, skills, and/or expertise relating to the project.

 

 

Application process

 

Please contact Bronwyn.kivell@vuw.ac.nz if you are interested in applying for this Scholarship. Short-listed applicants will be expected to attend an interview either in person or via zoom.

 

 

Scholarship specific documentation

 

• References (at least 2)
• Country of residence
• Available start date if successful
• Copy of CV and publications
• Details of expertise relating to the project description

 

 

Selection process

 

The successful applicant will be selected by A/Prof Bronwyn Kivell.

 

 

Additional information

 

The scholarship consists of the payment of fees annually & a monthly stipend for 3 years.

 

 

Regulations and conditions

 

1. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being enrolled in a full-year program (as stipulated by Studylink full-time), within the criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
3. Student must be available to study full-time
4. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
5. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other University awards (max limit applies).
6. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
7. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for the Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
8. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

 

 

 

Repayment status and permission for other scholarships are not specified. For further information, please contact the institution. Click the link for detailed information.