PhD student 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 enabling formulations, 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.

Our scientific focus areas in selection:

• Molecular Pharmaceutics
• Drug Delivery
• Pharmaceutical nanotechnology
• Pharmacokinetics
• Pharmacodynamics
• Pharmacometrics
• Clinical Pharmacy
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Pharmacoepidemiology
• Pharmacotherapy
• Social Pharmacy

More information: Department of Pharmacy

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Project: Effects of molecular characteristics of macromolecular drugs and permeation enhancer on oral absorption

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 PhD student 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 and our industrial partners involved in the work package dedicated to Oral Drug Delivery.

More information: Swedeliver

The research group
The PhD students will be linked to the research group Molecular Pharmaceutics. 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. More information at Bergstrom.

The project
The PhD student will work in the field of enabling drug formulations and biopharmaceutical profiling, within the project Effects of molecular characteristics of macromolecular drugs and permeation enhancer on oral absorption. Our aim is to study and elucidate factors of importance for drug delivery of macromolecular drugs in the beyond-rule-of-5 chemical space, and how to combine such compounds with permeation enhancer to increase fraction absorbed. In particular the physicochemical characteristics of macromolecular drugs and permeation enhancers and their interaction, together with their interaction with gastrointestinal barriers will be studied. It is envisaged that the work will increase our mechanistic understanding of which physicochemical attributes of the macromolecule that influence oral absorption and that the findings will inform on how to more rationally design macromolecules for oral administration.

The scientific focus areas of this project are:

• Molecular Pharmaceutics
• Drug Delivery
• Oral delivery of macromolecules
• In vitro in vivo correlation
• Computational modelling and simulation

Qualifications
Applications from highly motivated candidates are welcome. The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Pharmaceutics, Chemical/biochemical engineering, Biomedicine or similarly relevant field, and have good communication skills in oral and written English. Previous experience of any of the core subjects are meritorious. 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%). Of time spent on other work duties, the time for research will be extended to correspond to 4 years full-time studies.

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

• a 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.
• a CV including at least two references (phone number and email), and
• copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and copies of your master thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you want to invoke.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date April 1st or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

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

Please submit your application by 18 February, UFV-PA 2022/302.

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