PhD project on Interactions of water with lipid-based drug delivery systems

Reference number P 2024/1233

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We are looking for   

Doctoral student in Interactions of water with lipid-based drug delivery systems     

Project 

Lipid liquid crystalline (LLC) formulations, which serve as carriers for pharmaceutical ingredients, have acquired significant attention in drug delivery applications. The versatility of LLC systems allows encapsulation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, coupled with biodegradable, non-toxic and bioadhesive properties, positions them as promising candidates for enhancing drug bioavailability. Moreover, accuracy in dose control, reduction in dosing frequency, and improved overall patient compliance lowers the toxicity-mediated side effects and increases drug efficiency. A detailed physico-chemical characterization of LLC systems is fundamentally important to be able to regulate their function and to enhance the understanding of their drug release behavior.

More details about physico-chemical studies of LLC are in our recent publications: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.113955

https://doi.org/10.1039/D3SM01067H

In the PhD project we plan to address the following topics:

• Entropic effects in hydration-induced transitions between lipid phases
• Application of generalized Fick’s law for description of swelling in lipid-based drug delivery systems
• Water gradient-driven redistribution of lipids in drug delivery vehicles
• Interplay between hydration of lipids and release of active ingredient

Work duties   

Those appointed to doctoral studentships shall primarily devote themselves to their studies. Those appointed to doctoral studentships may, however, work to a limited extent with educational tasks, research, artistic research and administration, however, duties of this kind may not comprise more than 20 per cent of a full-time post (Chapter 5, Section 2 of the Higher Education Ordinance). 

In the research project part of the PhD training, the work duties include experiments with relevant experimental techniques such as Small and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D), Raman Spectroscopy. The doctoral student is expected to summarize and interpret experimental results and present them in a PhD thesis and scientific articles.   

Qualifications   

To be admitted to third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet the general and specific entry requirements of the subject in question. Moreover, the applicant must be deemed capable of assimilating the education. 

General entry requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes (HEO Chapter 7 Section 39) have those who: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification 
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or 
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.  

Selection criteria 

Selection among applicants who meet the general and specific entry requirements shall be made with regard to their capacity to assimilate the education (HEO Chapter 7 Section 41). 

Candidates must have a background in natural sciences such as chemistry, physics or pharmacy. The candidate should have a true and firm interest in a laboratory experimental work and theoretical interpretation of experimental results.

Experience from working with surface and colloid chemistry, as well as in physicochemical characterization of liquid crystalline phases, polymers, soft materials or liquids is advantageous. A previous hands-on experience in more than one of the following methods: X-ray or neutron scattering (SAXS, WAXS, SANS), DSC, ITC, isothermal microcalorimetry, TGA, water sorption techniques, Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), microscopy techniques (e.g. TEM, SEM, PLOM) is advantageous. Documented excellent level of English (understanding, speaking and writing) is essential. 

Faculty, Department and Research environment   

The Department of Biomedical Science at Faculty of Health and Society (www.mau.se/bmv) offers programmes leading to a professional qualification as Prescriptionist and Biomedical laboratory scientist (both first cycle, 180 credits), and a Masters' programme, Biomedical Surface Science (second cycle, 120 credits), as well as first and second cycle freestanding courses. The Department negotiates the multifaceted intersection between biology, chemistry, medicine, physics, and technology and the interdisciplinary approach to research and education aims to further develop the theoretical and practical understanding of the complex subject matter. Drawing on the balance between basic and applied research, the Department has been successful in attracting funding from regional, national, and international research funding bodies. In addition, in the pursuit of possible applications, several industry funded contract research projects are currently running at the Department. The research at the Department is also linked to our research center “Biofilms - Research Center for Biointerfaces” (www.mau.se/brcb), which combines biomedical science with clinical and translational research in medical, dental, food and environmental application areas in close collaboration with regional industry.

Further information   

In our recruitment work, Malmö University has taken a stand regarding recruitment channels and marketing. We therefore decline all offers of advertising and recruitment assistance in connection with this advertisement.   

You can read more about the benefits of working in Sweden here: https://sweden.se/collection/working-in-sweden/    

Project related questions:

Professor Vitaly Kocherbitov, +46(0)40 665 7946, vitaly.kocherbitov@mau.se

Professor Johan Engblom, +46(0)40 665 74 83, johan.engblom@mau.se

Questions regarding employment at Malmö university:

HR-specialist Heidi Francke, heidi.francke@mau.se

Application   

You apply for this position via Malmö University's recruitment system by clicking on the "Apply" button. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that your application is completed in accordance with the job advertisement, and that it is submitted to the University no later than 16 September 2024. The application must be written in Swedish, English or any of the Nordic languages. As an applicant, you are responsible for the application and its appendices being translated.   

The application must include: 

• Completed application form for admission to Research Education 
• Curriculum Vitae 
• Diplomas, transcript of records and other certificates relevant for the position 
• A copy of master thesis or equivalent
• A brief description of your view of the focus of the future PhD thesis (max 1 page)

Miscellaneous   

Preparation of admission to postgraduate education and employment as a doctoral student take place in parallel. Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle courses and study programmes at a higher education may be appointed to doctoral studentships (Chapter 5, Section 3 of the Higher Education Ordinance). 

The doctoral studentship is a fixed-term position comprising four years of full-time studies, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 Section 7. A doctoral student shall be employed for an indefinite period but for no longer than until a specified date, and never for longer than a year after the doctoral degree or artistic doctoral degree has been completed. The first appointment must be limited to one year at the most. The appointment can be extended by a maximum of two years at a time.

Malmö University is a workplace and higher education institution that is characterised by an open and inclusive approach, where gender equality and equal terms add value to our activities.   

Malmö University applies salary setting for doctoral students in accordance with a local agreement on salary setting for doctoral students.

Start date   

1 November 2024 or upon agreement.   

Union representatives   

SACO-S: Ann-Mari Campbell, ann-marie.campbell@mau.se

Lärarförbundet: Peter Persson, peter.persson@mau.se

ST/OFR: Aje Carlbom aje.carlbom@mau.se

PhD Student Union representative 

Barnabas Nyesiga, barnabas.nyesiga@mau.se

We are looking forward to receiving your application!   

#LI-MAU

You apply no later than 16/09/2024 by clicking the apply button.