PhD student in Molecular Pharmaceutics - 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 Bergström.

The project: the PhD student will work within the project ´3D printed medicines for accurate and easy administration to severely sick children´. The overall goal of the PhD project is to explore advanced drug delivery systems produced as minitablets to i) deliver poorly water-soluble drugs with high dose accuracy, or ii) enable rapid dissolution of dosage adjusted tablets for easy administration through a feeding tube. We will study crucial process parameters for high quality production and investigate the sustainability of the production line. By the end of the project we will clinically study the 3D printed medicines when prescribed to young children.

The project is expected to provide custom-made medicines of benefit for treatment in the ward as well as at home. Importantly, the concepts are of benefit to other patient groups, such as the elderly and patients in intensive care units. Methods and techniques used in the project include, but is not limited to, formulation design coupled to poorly solubles, 3D printing (inkjetting, extrusion, FDM and SLS), release-digestion and permeation studies, UPLC-MS/MS, NMR and SAXS analyses, and clinical studies.

Focus areas of the PhD studies: Molecular pharmaceutics • Oral drug delivery • 3D printing • Pharmaceutical characterization and profiling • Clinical research.

Qualifications: Applications from highly motivated candidates are welcome. The successful candidate should have a Master of Science in Pharmacy, with good knowledge in Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. Good communication skills in oral and written Swedish and English is demanded. Information about postgraduate studies, including eligibility requirements and admission rules, can be found at Doctoral level programmes within Pharmacy and Medicine. 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: 01-10-2021 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 6 September 2021, UFV-PA 2021/3064.

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