PhD student in drug delivery - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

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/.

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.

Duties/Project description: 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. The position is placed in the research group of Alexandra Teleki that is associated with the Science for Life Laboratory.

The PhD student will work in the field of pharmaceutical nanotechnology and materials science, within the project Hybrid nanocarrier drug formulations. The overall purpose of the project is to broaden the functionality of lipid based formulations by developing hybrid nanocarrier drug delivery systems. Today, classical poorly-soluble small drug molecules can be delivered in lipid-based formulations (LBFs) and administered orally in capsules, however with limited functionality and control of their fate upon administration. Solid-state LBFs would have the advantage of easier handling during processing, the possibility to design and personalise dosage forms by 3D printing and by adding functionalities for e.g. biosensing, controlled release or bioimaging by incorporated nanoparticles.

The project is highly interdisciplinary acting at the interface of pharmaceutical and material sciences. This project will primarily explore particle stabilised emulsions as oral drug delivery vehicles exhibiting the previously mentioned functionalities. Using experimental methods, the PhD student will work on tailoring nanoparticle properties to encapsulate model drugs, identifying key properties that govern functionality of the novel drug delivery system and characterising their performance upon oral administration in state-of-the-art pharmaceutical in vitro systems such as lipolysis mimicking digestion and drug absorption. The project thus closely links nanoparticle synthesis and drug formulation technologies for the design of multifunctional oral dosage forms.

Requirements: The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Pharmaceutics, Chemical Engineering, Material Sciences or other relevant area. Previous experience working with pharmaceutical formulation technologies, solid-state characterisation techniques, lipids or cell-based in vitro models is beneficial. The applicant must also have good communication skills in English, both written and oral, due to the highly international work environment. 

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 %).

How to apply: The application should contain the following:

• CV
• Contact details of at least two references (email and telephone number)
• A personal letter describing previous experience and qualifications, research interests, plans for the future and motivation to apply for the PhD position,
• Authorised copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and
• Copy of the master thesis and any other relevant document such as publications.

Rules governing PhD 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: 01-02-2018, or otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position, 5 years.

Working hours: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact
Assistant Professor Alexandra Teleki, e-mail Alexandra.teleki@farmaci.uu.se

Please submit your application by 14 december 2018, UFV-PA 2018/4014.

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.