Doctoral (Phd) position with focus on applied materials science

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About the Department

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering aims to be an environment for successful and valuable research and education with a focus on materials science solutions for important societal challenges. Our department is an exciting workplace with research in a broad technology-related area, from basic research to large-scale applied research, and with close contacts with students through the department's involvement in engineering and master's programs. Our research and teaching are conducted within seven divisions with different research focus, as well as a division that provides support and service. The department is an international place to work, and has around 180 active co-workers.

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About the division
The Division of Applied Materials Science is part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Ångström Laboratory. Researchers at the division have extensive experience in materials science, materials analysis, materials synthesis and nanostructuring of materials. We develop materials and tailor their properties for a wide range of applications, and our research activities are of predominately experimental nature. Research groups are specialized in Materials in Medicine, Tribomaterials, Electron Microscopy and Nanoengineering, and Diamond Optics.

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Project description

Development of a Localized Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Bone Defects
This PhD project aims to develop an effective and biocompatible material-pharmaceutical formulation for the local treatment of bone defects. By integrating materials science with pharmacy, the research seeks to establish a new treatment strategy that promotes bone regeneration while enabling local drug delivery. The focus is on combining bioactive materials—such as calcium phosphate-based ceramics and biodegradable polymers—with drugs to create a dual-function system that can both fill bone defects and release drugs in a targeted manner.

The project involves the design and synthesis of biomaterials capable of encapsulating and releasing therapeutic agents in a controlled way directly at the site of the bone defect. Key activities include material formulation, in vitro drug release studies, evaluation of mechanical and biological properties, and assessment of therapeutic efficacy using relevant models.

Parts of the project, especially those related to biological evaluations, will be carried out in collaboration with other research groups, both in Sweden and internationally.

Duties
The main duty for a doctoral student is to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and PhD courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Being a PhD student means independently running projects within a specific subject. You collaborate on an ongoing basis with other doctoral students and researchers to create results within various projects and have one or more supervisors for support during your doctoral studies. However, you work independently to a great amount, e.g. by working in a laboratory environment and writing articles for journals and for results for your doctoral thesis. Usually some form of half-time seminar is included after about half of the doctoral studies.

When you are admitted to doctoral studies, you are offered employment as a doctoral student. A position as a doctoral student at Uppsala University corresponds to full-time PhD education for four years.

Read more about being a Doctoral student here.

Typical work tasks include:

• Development of material formulation including delivery method
• Bench studies of drug release and material properties
• Material analysis
• Mode-of-action studies in preclinical models

The work is part of a larger project, and collaboration with other organizations will be an important aspect of the research.

Requirements
Master’s degree or MSc in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, or other education deemed equivalent to these qualifications.

Documented experience and knowledge in pharmacy, chemistry, or materials science.

We require good oral and written skills in English.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100) chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Additional qualifications
It is advantageous to have documented knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Drug release studies
• Material analysis
• Industrially applicable methods for drug development and/or implant materials

Great emphasis is put on personal qualities such as the ability to independently plan and carry out work. You have a good ability to work towards set goals and you work focused to achieve them. In this, you have an ability to focus, even during periods of high workload. You have good communication skills, where through this quality you cooperate well with others. You also have a good ability to write academic text.

Your application must include

• A short cover letter in which you describe yourself, why you want to do a PhD and why you are suitable for this position. 
• CV (max 2 pages)
• A certified copy of your master's degree and your course grades. 
• Copies (or drafts) of your master's thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you wish to refer to. 
• Names and contact details of at least two contact persons who have accepted to be references for you, with any additional letters of recommendation. It must also be stated what relationship you have had with the respective referent. 

The application should be written in English. We will continuously read applications and call for interviews. 

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date  2025-08-17 or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Håkan Engqvist, hakan.engqvist@angstrom.uu.se

Please submit your application by 14 of July month 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2193.

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