PhD Position Scalable Lipid Nanoparticle Purification Technologies

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft); Delft; On-site; EUR 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Customisable compensation package

Discounts on health insurance

Monthly work costs contribution

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Delft University of Technology invites applications for a PhD candidate in the SPARC program focused on purifying lipid-based drug delivery streams. You will design advanced filtration strategies, combine CFD modelling with experiments, and collaborate with industry partners Merck KGaA and Johnson & Johnson to validate novel purification approaches.

The role sits at Precision Therapeutics and involves cross-disciplinary work between Chemical Engineering and Process & Energy, with a 4-year

Qualifications

• MSc or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnology or related field.
• Analytical mindset and ability to work across computational and experimental domains.
• Excellent communication skills in English and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in CFD simulations or pharmaceutical downstream processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Computational modelling with CFD simulations to analyze flow, diffusion, and filtration in tangential flow filtration systems.
• Develop novel flow geometries balancing throughput and mechanical stress on lipid nanoparticles.
• Experimentally verify membranes and modularisation options for the purification train.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Excellent English communication

CFD simulations

Education

MSc or equivalent in Chemical Engineering/Process Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Nanotechnology

Tools

CFD software

Job description

Shape the future of cancer therapy through nanomedicine process engineering.

Join as a PhD candidate to design lipid nanoparticles using computational modeling with real-world validation.

Job description

SPARC (Scalable Personalized Nanotherapeutics for Cancer Treatment) is an ambitious research program dedicated to making advanced cancer therapies more effective and accessible, particularly for patients with hard-to-treat “cold tumors.” By developing personalized nanomedicines, SPARC aims to improve patient survival through innovations such as tumor-on-a-chip platforms that reduce reliance on animal testing, and novel manufacturing technologies that enhance therapeutic efficacy and product stability.

As part of this program, we are seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student with an interest in cross-disciplinary research to join a shared position between the Precision Therapeutics group (Dr. Alina Rwei) in the Chemical Engineering department and the Complex Fluid Processing group (Prof. Johan Padding) in the Process & Energy department of TU Delft. The position will formally be at Precision Therapeutics.

The project is embedded in a strong academic–industrial network and offers close collaboration with leading pharmaceutical partners, including Merck KGaA and Johnson & Johnson.

This project focuses on purification of the output stream of lipid-based drug delivery nanoparticles manufacturing systems. These streams typically contain solvent, lipids and unencapsulated drug components, which need to be removed by dilution and subsequent ultra- or diafiltration. Current purification systems, typically based on (alternating) tangential flow filtration, suffer from loss of expensive lipid nanoparticles and membrane fouling, necessitating expensive regular replacement of the membranes.

Your task will be to engineer innovative purification systems, e.g. by changing membrane materials and designing novel filtration flow geometries, that minimize loss of lipid nanoparticles and maximize throughput. In the design you will explore modularization options for relatively quick and low-cost replacement of filtration system components. The project also involves close interaction with other research teams within the SPARC consortium, e.g., molecular mechanisms for membrane fouling are investigated.

Key Responsibilities

• Computational modelling with CFD simulations:
  • Investigate the flow, diffusion and filtration in tangential flow filtration systems
  • Implement correlations to model build-up of fouling and its effects on filtration capacity
  • Develop novel flow geometries that balance:
    • Throughput (maximising production rates)
    • Mechanical stress on lipid nanoparticles (minimising loss of LNPs)

• Experimental verification

• • Experimentally verify the use of alternative membranes for LNP purification.
  • Experimentally verify modularisation options for the purification train, including use of quick connectors.

Job requirements

• MSc or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nanotechnology or related field
• Analytical mindset with ability to work across computational and experimental domains
• Have excellent communication skills in English, and want to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics simulations or pharmaceutical downstream processes is a plus

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialistMaster'sprogrammes with a strong researchcomponent. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from€3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible!

The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Alina Rwei, via [e-mail].

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 6 October 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

1. A detailed CV
2. Your Bachelor’s and Master’s transcripts (grade reports)
3. A cover letter outlining your motivation and key experience

If the applicants are selected for an interview, they will be asked to provide contact details of three referees with their consent.

You can address your application to Dr. Alina Rwei.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest.You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
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