Research Assistant in Emulsion and Oleogel Formulations for Long-Acting Therapeutics

The University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university seeks a research assistant for the HALo project, focusing on formulating long-acting therapeutics using emulsions and oleogels. The role involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to enhance drug delivery strategies and contribute to the understanding of therapeutic scalability. The successful candidate will engage in experimental design and characterisation of novel formulations. Competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a leading pension scheme and generous leave entitlements, are offered.

Benefits

Fantastic market-leading pension scheme

Excellent employee health and wellbeing services

Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement

Additional paid closure over the Christmas period

Local and national discounts at retailers

Qualifications

• Experience in formulating emulsions and oleogels is preferred.
• Familiarity with characterisation techniques for drug delivery systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Design and characterise novel formulations for prolonged drug release.
• Collaborate with materials scientists, engineers, and clinical researchers.
• Support the broader goals of the HALo project.

Skills

Formulation of long-acting therapeutics

Colloid science

Soft materials science

Job description

Manchester, Greater Manchester, M13 9PL £32,080 to £36,636 per annum, depending on relevant experience. Contract

This research assistant position is part of the National Hub for Advanced Long‑acting Therapeutics (HALo), a UKRI‑funded research initiative that brings together leading UK institutions to revolutionise drug delivery for chronic diseases. The HALo Hub is a multidisciplinary collaboration between researchers in materials science, pharmaceutical engineering, bioengineering, and clinical sciences. HALo aims to establish the UK as a world leader in long‑acting therapeutic development by tackling key challenges in formulation science, pharmacokinetics, and sustainability. The project focuses on creating new formulations, improving drug delivery strategies, and developing predictive models to accelerate the clinical translation of LATs. The role will focus on the formulation of LATs based on emulsions and oleogels. The successful candidate will work closely with academic and research staff to design and characterise novel formulations capable of prolonged drug release, using techniques grounded in colloid and soft materials science. The Assistant will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team, including materials scientists, engineers, and clinical researchers, to design and optimise ISFI formulations that achieve controlled release, stability, and reproducibility. This work will contribute to the broader goals of the HALo project by improving the understanding and scalability of long‑acting injectable therapeutics.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market‑leading pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an employee assistance programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal‑opportunity employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit. Our University is positive about flexible working; you can find out more here. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.