Researcher in molecular pharmaceutics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Pharmacy at Uppsala University is an interdisciplinary environment at the center of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-class education and extensive collaborations we constitute a driving force in the development of our academic field. In this inspiring environment our rich diversity of research groups, several of international prominence, develop and conduct work of great scientific importance. Among our core competences are computational modelling and simulations, in vitro ADME models, advanced in vivo methods and societal aspects from optimizing the use of drugs in individuals to societal pharmaceutical policies. Together, we form a unique cluster of academic competences within pharmaceutical sciences, playing a key role in shaping the future of pharmacy in both Sweden and globally.

More information: Department of Pharmacy.

The project is linked to the Swedish Drug Delivery Center (SweDeliver), a world leading research forum with focus on new strategies for parenteral, oral and pulmonary drug delivery. The center unites academia and selected industrial partners to represent Scandinavian drug development and biotechnology with broad competences. Together we drive pharmaceutical research and innovation towards novel, advanced drug delivery systems. A prioritized goal of SweDeliver is to offer young scientists unique possibilities for training and career development. As a postdoctoral fellow in SweDeliver you work at the pharmaceutical faculty of Uppsala University – the academic hub of the center – together with colleagues in the research group for Molecular Pharmaceutics at the Department of Pharmacy.

More information: Swedeliver.

The research fellow will work in the field of enabling drug formulations, within the project Structural characterization of formulated macromolecular drugs with lipids in response to dilution, digestion and permeation. Lipid-based formulations and formulated drugs may reorganize in response to processes initiated upon administration. These include dilution in body fluids (extracellular fluid, intestinal fluids) upon administration and potential interaction with solubilizing components such as phospholipids, cholesterol, bile salts naturally present in these fluids. After oral administration of the formulation the lipids are extensively digested by gastric and pancreatic enzymes, further triggering restructuring of the colloidal systems obtained. The project will target exploration of these complex systems for their colloidal restructuring during dispersion and digestion. In addition, 3D structure and molecular interactions of a model macromolecular drug and the restructured lipid-based formulations used as vehicles for delivery of such model compounds will be monitored.

The scientific focus areas of this project are: Drug Delivery • Oral Peptide Delivery • Lipid-based formulations • Scattering techniques • Imaging • Physicochemical characterization •  Digestion-permeation models •

Duties: 100% research fellow, primarily devoting his/her time to experimental research work.

Requirements: The successful candidate should have a PhD in Pharmaceutics, Physical Chemistry, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, or other relevant area. Previous experience of advanced drug delivery and scattering and imaging techniques (e.g. SAXS, SANS) is meritorious. You must be able to work independently and take own initiatives, but also as part of a team and in collaboration with industrial partners within SweDeliver. Emphasis is placed on personal suitability. The applicant must also have good communication skills in English, both written and oral, due to the highly international work environment.

Eligibility: To be eligible to apply you must have a PhD or equivalent degree completed in a relevant area.

How to apply: The application, preferably written in English, should be submitted via the application portal of Uppsala University and contain the following:

• a CV including a complete list of publications,
• a personal letter in which the applicant describes her- or himself, motivates why she/he has applied for the position, states relevant qualifications and indicates research interests and plans for the future,
• contact details of at least two references (email and telephone number),
• authorized copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and
• copies of the three most important publications that the applicant wants to invoke.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: 03-05-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position 2 years.

Scope of employment: 100%.

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Christel Bergström, e-mail christel.bergstrom@farmaci.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 23 april, UFV-PA 2021/1236.

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