Research Associate

University of Bath; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is offering a part-time postdoctoral research associate position to contribute to a project focused on pharmacokinetic modeling for topical drug products. The role involves conducting experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Candidates should have relevant experience in drug formulation, data analysis, and advanced techniques like HPLC and Raman microscopy. The position offers a fixed-term contract for 6 months, with a start date of 01/03/2026, and comes with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Free counselling services

Cycle to work scheme

Staff discounts on gym and tuition fees

Generous pension schemes

Professional development opportunities

Local discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in topical drug formulation and delivery.
• Ability to conduct independent research and report findings.
• Familiarity with microscopy and spectroscopic techniques.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to formulation choices for the metamorphosis process.
• Conduct experiments to characterize drug products.
• Analyze and interpret data in collaboration with peers.

Skills

Knowledge of pharmacokinetic modeling

Experience with HPLC

Proficient in Raman microscopy

Strong data analysis skills

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

X-ray tools

FT-IR

MS tools

Job description

Overview

A postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) position is available for 6 months (50% time effort) to contribute to the project: Development and Validation of a Multi-functional, Multi-purpose Quantitative Tool for Dermal Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling. Background: Topical drug products applied to skin undergo substantial metamorphosis when rubbed into the application site: volatile excipients like water and alcohols evaporate, and drug and excipients absorb into the skin. The resultant residual film on the skin surface has quite different composition, structure and properties compared to the starting formulation that "came out of the tube". Predicting drug absorption during metamorphosis and from the residual phase is an unsolved challenge. This multi-institution collaborative grant funded by the US-FDA aims to expand the capabilities of an existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model simulating drug skin absorption and disposition to incorporate the metamorphosis of topical products following skin application. The final aim is developing tools that predict the performance of topical medicines and support bio(in)equivalence decisions. This opportunity falls within an ongoing collaboration with the University of Reading, the Colorado School of Mines, the company Simulations Plus, and the FDA. Bath's contribution involves primarily the generation of experimental data to guide development of this enhanced PBPK model by formulating products and the characterization of their metamorphotic events and their kinetics. Specifically, this PDRA will contribute to the project by: (a) identifying a set of critical quality attributes of topical products in their starting "as in the tube" condition, and in the residual film that forms after application to the skin, (b) describing the kinetics of metamorphosis and associated events; (c) investigating formulation compositional changes during metamorphosis and how these may impact of the drug properties, including its physical state and thermodynamic activity, and skin absorption; and (d) investigating the manner in which this information might be exploited by a PBPK model. This challenging, fast-pace work will involve a range of techniques such as IVPT, confocal Raman microscopy, X-ray, FT-IR/ATR-FT-IR, viscometry, HPLC and MS tools among others. A successful candidate will be experienced in some of these techniques and will pro-actively propose and test other approaches and tools which may be informative for the research aims. Some background on skin formulation and percutaneous permeation is desirable. The successful candidate will have demonstrated capacity for carrying independent research including provision of technical reports, scientific outputs and efficient data presenting and sharing with the extended grant team and funders. You might be required to perform some experiments at the University of Reading. As a member of Research Stall at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 1- days professional development pro rata per year.

Role and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the choice of formulations which will be used to elucidate the metamorphosis process, and identify relevant, quality and other drug and formulation characteristics that can inform about the metamorphosis process and its impact on drug absorption.
• Conduct experiments to characterise the starting product, the residual phase and intermediate transition phase (as relevant). This may include a broad range of techniques such as solvent evaporation assessment, active physical status (precipitation, supersaturation) HPLC-MS, X-ray, Raman microscopy, FT-IR, ATR-FT-IR, thermogravimetry, viscometry, etc.
• Conduct data processing, analysis, and interpretation in collaboration with research partners and ensure prompt interactions within the team to advance the project.
• Participate in monthly meetings with stakeholders (regulators, industry, research networks, as relevant). The PDRA will play a key role in these meetings presenting latest results and acquiring background information required for data interpretation and the planning of future steps.
• Contribute to scientific outcomes (conference presentations, scientific articles) of the grant.
• Together with other researchers, ensure that University of Bath policies, including but not limited to health and safety, research integrity guidelines and SOPs are observed.
• The appointee should understand, and have first-hand experience of the techniques used for characterizing the physical state of drugs and formulations (microscopy and spectroscopic imaging methods) and for investigating compositional changes in formulations. Ideally, some understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences underpinning drug delivery across biological barriers and the formulation and testing of topical drug products will be advantageous.

About you / Qualifications

Some background on skin formulation and percutaneous permeation is desirable. The successful candidate will have demonstrated capacity for carrying independent research including provision of technical reports, scientific outputs and efficient data presenting and sharing with the extended grant team and funders. The appointee to the position should understand, and have first-hand experience of the techniques used for characterizing the physical state of drugs and formulations (microscopy and spectroscopic imaging methods) and for investigating compositional changes in formulations. Ideally, some understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences underpinning drug delivery across biological barriers and the formulation and testing of topical drug products will be advantageous.

This role is offered on a part time (18.25 hours per week) fixed term basis with an expected start date of 01/03/2026 for an expected period of 6 months. The benefits package described below illustrates some examples of what is offered:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days for work-life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce