Phd within the research group drug delivery - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project: New models for mechanistic studies of membrane permeation of peptides

The Department of Pharmacy offers a stimulating multidisciplinary working environment in research and teaching within the Pharmacy disciplines. The Department centers its research on Drug Delivery, Rational Drug Usage and Pharmaceutical Materials Science. The research is developed by a series of research groups, several of international prominence. The research groups represent a unique cluster of academic competences in Sweden and the Department of Pharmacy has thus a key role in the development of the pharmacy discipline in Sweden. Information about the department and the research groups can be found at www.farmfak.uu.se/farm/.

The PhD student will be linked to the research group Drug Delivery. The group takes a multidisciplinary approach and combines computational chemistry and bioinformatics with cell- and molecular biology, biopharmaceutics, pharmaceutics and physical chemistry to find new ways to predict and define rate-limiting barriers to the absorption and organ distribution of different types of drugs. We anticipate that our research will provide insights into new mechanisms for drug absorption, disposition and delivery, which will support development of new therapeutic strategies for efficient oral drug delivery.

Duties/Project description: The PhD student will work within the field of peptide drugs, within the project New models for mechanistic studies of membrane permeation of peptides. The overall purpose of the project is to increase the understanding of key limitations to oral absorption of peptide drugs, through the study of mechanisms of transport of peptides across intestinal barriers, and to make use of the acquired knowledge to develop new drug delivery strategies. Using computational methods, the PhD student will work on identifying features of peptides that allow them to interact specifically with sphingolipid and cholesterol-containing membranes, which are the types of lipids that are enriched in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Kinetic models based on the obtained simulation data will be employed using so called Markov State models to also rationalize experimental measurements of peptide - membrane adhesion, in particular permeability. It is very likely that the conformational landscape of peptides interacting with membranes is more complicated than previously assumed or seen in earlier simulations, and that not only thermodynamics but also kinetics are important to understand e.g. permeability. Due to the increased flexibility of peptides compared to small organic molecules, different conformations can influence permeability and membrane insertion differently. The final outcome of this will be an understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind peptide-membrane interactions, and how different peptides can be modified to achieve higher permeability and bioavailability, when using them as peptide drugs.

Requirements: The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering, Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering or other relevant area and have good communication skills in oral and written English. Knowledge of Linux and some programming/scripting language such as Python or Matlab is beneficial. Information about postgraduate studies, including eligibility requirements and admission rules, can be found at http://www2.medfarm.uu.se/utbildning/forskarniva/. The holder of a PhD-student position shall primarily devote her or his time to own research studies. Other departmental work, such as educational or administrative duties, can be part of the position (max 20%).

Application: Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/search/?hits=30&languageId=1&search-language_en=English

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.
 
Starting date: 01-07-2018 or otherwise agreed, temporary position ending 30-06-2023.

Type of position: Full time position.

For further information about the position please contact
(Assistant Professor Per Larsson, phone +46 (0)18 471 4662, Per.Larsson@farmaci.uu.se)

Please submit your application by 7 June 2018, UFV-PA 2018/1711.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.