PhD student in Molecular Pharmaceutics at the Department of Pharmacy - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Pharmacy offers an interdisciplinary environment at the center of the pharmaceutical arena. With frontline research, first-rate education and extensive collaborations we constitute an important 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 in vitro ADME models, enabling formulations, advanced in vivo methods, computational modelling and simulations, as well as patient 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 science, 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 at Department of Pharmacy

The research group: The PhD student 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 Department of Pharmacy/Bergström. The position is partly funded by the Uppsala Antibiotic Center (UAC), and the recruited PhD student will be part of UAC’s graduate research school. UAC is a center for research, education, innovation & awareness founded in 2015 to bring together, stimulate and support important research on antibiotic resistance from all three disciplinary domains at Uppsala University: Medicine and Pharmacy, Science and Technology, and Humanities and Social Sciences. The doctoral student positions and graduate school are central parts of UAC with the goal of educating a new generation of researchers with broad knowledge and willingness to contribute to combating the problem of antibiotic resistance. For more information about UAC: www.uac.uu.se.

Project:  A generic nanosized drug delivery platform for optimal absorption of antibiotics with minimal intestinal side effects

Duties/Project description: The PhD student will work within the project A generic nanosized drug delivery platform for optimal absorption of antibiotics with minimal intestinal side effects. The overall goal of the PhD project is to design efficient drug delivery systems that specifically deliver the drug to the site of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). We will through an interdisciplinary approach design nanoparticles that can solubilize and transport an effective drug dosage to the intestinal epithelium for complete absorption. Focus is set on the nature of the lipid building blocks to design stable and highly membrane-permeable nanocarriers. Nanotechnology will be coupled to in vivo relevant digestion-permeation assays to determine the biological fate. Mechanistic cell studies will allow exploration of molecular interactions and mechanisms behind absorption. The invented drug delivery systems will be profiled for absorption in a humanized in vitro setting. The project is expected to result in specific clinically translatable drug delivery systems for improved treatment of bacterial infections. Methods and techniques used in the project include, but is not limited to, formulation design coupled to release-digestion and permeation studies, cell culturing, advanced microscopy, UPLC-MS/MS, NMR and SAXS analyses. Focus areas of the PhD studies: Molecular pharmaceutics, Drug delivery, Cell culturing, Microscopy, Scattering techniques.

Qualifications: Applications from highly motivated candidates are welcome. The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Physical Chemistry, Chemical/biochemical engineering, or similarly relevant field,and have good communication skills in oral and written English. Previous experience of any of the core subjects are meritorious.

Information about postgraduate studies, including eligibility requirements and admission rules, can be found at Doctoral level programmes within Medicine and Pharmacy. 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 should contain 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. It must contain a CV including at least two references, authorized copies of relevant certificates, degrees and grades, and copies of your master thesis and other documents, such as publications, that you want to invoke.

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

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
 
Starting date: 01-06-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.

Scope of employment: 100 %

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Christel Bergström, tel 018-471 4118, e-post christel.bergstrom@farmaci.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 17 May 2021, UFV-PA 2021/1604.

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