PhD Position - Chemistry - Making drugs from Dendrimers

The Ferrier Research Institute, Victoria University of Wellington

Dendrimers are large, branched tree-like organic molecules invented by Dr Don Tomalia at Dow Chemicals in the 1980s. Since then there have been many applications of these novel discrete macromolecules - several in the pharmaceutical space.

Dendrimers can be used to assist in the delivery of a payload of drug to the precise site required for treatment, reducing side effects and improving efficacy. They can be used to improve the differentiation between tissues in an MRI scan, and to deliver siRNA in gene therapy, thereby assisting doctors to treat patients with leading technologies.

Dr Phill Rendle’s team at the Ferrier Research Institute has designed, synthesised and patented a novel dendrimer scaffold that fulfils the requirements that a molecule must have to be able to be approved as a drug. This PhD project will focus on taking this dendrimer scaffold and elaborating it to demonstrate proof-of-concept examples of how this scaffold can be used as a drug. It will involve the development of synthetic chemical methodology to give high purity, well defined products.

Value
Full stipend of NZ$23,500 plus a contribution to fees of up to NZ$8,000 per annum for three years.

Applications
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Rachael Odlin ([Email Address Removed]) by for further information. Include your CV and academic transcript.

The position will remain open until filled.