PhD fellowship in Solid State Pharmaceutics
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (SUND)
University of Copenhagen
Department of Pharmacy is offering a three-year PhD fellowship in Solid State Pharmaceutics. The PhD fellowship is financed by the Danish Council for Independent Research. The fellowship is available from 1 September 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Project description
An increasing number of new drug candidates have limited bioavailability due to low solubility in the gastrointestinal (GI) fluids. Upon oral ingestion of a tablet, the drug must be dissolved in order to permeate the intestinal wall and reach the systemic circulation. If not, the drug will pass through the GI tract like a stone without realizing its effect. Therefore, enhancing the solubility of these drugs currently constitutes one of the biggest challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry.
A range of different enableing formulation approaches such as lipid based or amorphous drug delivery systems have been developed. However, despite active research, the practical use of these formulations is still limited.
In this project, we will develop a new formulation concept based on deep eutectic solvents (DES) in order to enable oral delivery of poorly soluble drugs in future medicines. A DES is a mixture of two organic compounds with a low melting point and a high solubilisation capacity.
The project will investigate pharmaceutical relevant DES systems based on their toxicological and physico-chemical properties, such as their eutectic phase diagram and Hansen solubility parameters. Furthermore, the solubilization capability of different poorly soluble drugs in the DES will be determined and correlated to the drugs and DESs physico-chemical properties.
In addition, to the in depth physico-chemical and solid state investigations, a feasible dosage form will be developed and the new drug delivery system will be tested in vitro towards its dissolution kinetics and drug release. The developed dosage form will then be compared to other enableing formulation approaches.
Principal supervisor
Assoc. Prof. Korbinian Löbmann, Department of Pharmacy,
E-mail: korbinian.loebmann@sund.ku.dk, direct phone: +45 35 32 05 41.
Required qualifications
As an applicant you must have:
•Obtained a Master´s degree in a relevant subject prior to the starting date
•Fluency in English and excellent communication skills
Preferred qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong background in/experience with pharmaceutical formulation and preformulation, drug delivery, solid state pharmaceutics and solid state characterization.
Description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to:
•Carry through an independent research project under supervision
•Write scientific articles and the PhD thesis on the grounds of your research project
•Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
•Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
•Participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in pharmaceutical sciences
•Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings
•Stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad
Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme
• Relevant work experience
• Previous publications
• The grade point average achieved
• Other professional activities
• Language skills
• The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills
Formal requirements
The successful applicant will be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD programme at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the PhD programme at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
The PhD student is expected to be affiliated to the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy.
Terms of employment
The position as a PhD fellow is available for a 3-year period.
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organizations. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Minimum monthly salary is DKK 25,579 (taxable) + pension contribution.
Application procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Your application must include:
•Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
•Full CV
•Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
•Possible publication list
•Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations
The University of Copenhagen wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.
Post application procedure
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.
All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee.
Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself. You can read about the recruitment process at employment.ku.dk
The Appointments Committee consists of the supervision group and the Head of Department who is the authorized recruitment manager. The Expert Assessment Committee consists of the principal supervisor.
An answer as to the granting of the fellowship can be expected approx. 4 weeks after application deadline.
Questions
For further information, applicants may contact the supervisor or Administrator Marianne W. Jørgensen, e-mail: marianne.joergensen@sund.ku.dk, direct phone: +45 3533 6449.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://jobportal.ku.dk/phd/?show=909632v