PhD student in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology

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.

Our scientific focus areas in selection: Molecular Pharmaceutics • Drug Delivery • Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology • Pharmacokinetics • Pharmacodynamics • Pharmacometrics • Clinical Pharmacy • Pharmacoeconomics • Pharmacoepidemiology • Pharmacotherapy • Social Pharmacy • Biopharmaceutics.

More information: https://www.farmaci.uu.se/

SciLifeLab (www.scilifelab.se) is a Swedish national center for molecular biosciences with focus on health and environmental research. The center combines frontline technical expertise with advanced knowledge of translational medicine and molecular bioscience. SciLifeLab is hosted by four Swedish universities (Uppsala University, Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University) and collaborates with several other universities. 

The research group: The PhD student will be linked to the research unit 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 position is placed in the research group of Associate Professor Alexandra Teleki (alexandra-teleki) who is associated with SciLifeLab. The overall goal of the Teleki research group is to transform innovative nanomedical approaches to clinically relevant, patient-compliant diagnosis and treatment.

The project: The project is highly interdisciplinary acting at the interface of pharmaceutical and material sciences. This project is part of ERC Consolidator Grant MAGNETO that aims to develop a novel diagnostic and therapeutic platform to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. The inflammation of gut tissue in IBD patients results in the overexpression of specific biomarkers. We have previously developed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) functionalized with targeting ligands towards inflammatory biomarkers on the epithelial cell surface in IBD. Functionalization is achieved by click chemistry based bioconjugation. Such nanoparticles can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or as tracer particles in magnetic particle imaging (MPI) to non-invasively localize inflamed tissue in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The PhD student will work with preclinical in vitro and in vivo (mouse) models for IBD to study the targeting capability of the SPIONs and optimize their visualization of inflamed tissue or fibrotic lesions with advanced imaging techniques (e.g. confocal microscopy, MRI and MPI). The project thus closely links nanoparticle synthesis and functionalization with their diagnostic performance in vivo in the GIT. A specific focus of this project is to tailor nanoparticle size and surface charge to surpass biological barriers in the GIT such as the mucus barrier to reach underlying cellular targets. A further aim is to explore various disease targets on intestinal epithelial cells, immune cells, fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix to identify targets that can distinguish different disease states.

Focus areas of the PhD studies: Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology • Nanomedicine • Magnetic Imaging Techniques • Theranostics • Magnetic Nanoparticles • Click chemistry •  Gastrointestinal Diseases

Qualifications: Applications from highly motivated candidates are welcome. The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Pharmaceutics, Drug Discovery and Development, Chemical/biochemical engineering, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Material Sciences or similarly relevant field, and have good communication skills in oral and written English. Previous experience of any of the core subjects and laboratory experience are meritorious. The holder of a PhD student position shall primarily devote their 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.

To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in Pharmaceutics, Drugy Discovery and Development, Chemical/biochemical engineering, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Material Sciences or similarly relevant field, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Information about postgraduate studies, including eligibility requirements and admission rules, can be found at doctoral studies.

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

• Cover letter in which the applicant motivates their educational background, interest for the position and states relevant qualifications.
• CV including at least two references (phone number and email)
• Copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 September 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Alexandra Teleki, email: alexandra.teleki@farmaci.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 22 May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1591.

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