PhD student in Pharmaceutical Physical Chemistry

Uppsala universitet (Uppsala University); Uppsala; On-site; SEK 400 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

Le département de chimie médicinale de l'Université d'Uppsala propose un poste de doctorant axé sur l'administration subcutanée de systèmes de délivrance de médicaments. Le candidat retenu développera des méthodes in vitro et étudiera les propriétés physico-chimiques des médicaments. Une bonne connaissance des techniques expérimentales en chimie physique est souhaitée, ainsi que des compétences en communication et collaboration.

Qualifications

• Master en pharmacie, en chimie ou diplômes équivalents.
• Bonne capacité d'expression en anglais, Swedish est un plus.
• Capacité à travailler de manière autonome et en groupe.

Responsibilities

• Développer des systèmes de livraison de médicaments.
• Utiliser des méthodes expérimentales pour étudier le transport des drogues.
• Contribuer à la rédaction d'articles scientifiques.

Skills

Autonomie

Rigueur

Collaboration

Education

Master en pharmacie ou équivalent

Job description

2025-06-17

Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Uppsala University is a strong and international research environment. The department has about 85 employees and here, doctoral students, teachers, researchers and administrators work closely together in a creative and open environment. More information about the department can be found at www.ilk.uu.se.

We are now seeking a PhD student to the project ”Subcutaneous administration of conjugated delivery systems: Passive lymphatic targeting”

We need a highly motivated person who wants to contribute to the development of a new in vitro method to model and predict what happens with subcutaneously administered biological drugs. The doctoral position will be located in the research group Pharmaceutical Physical Chemistry.

The research group Pharmaceutical Physical Chemistry aims to clarify the connections between the structure of drug molecules, their physico-chemical properties and the possibilities of controlling how they are stored in and released from different types of particulate drug carriers and formulations. The aim is to create new knowledge that makes it possible to develop new or improved systems for drug administration, and to develop in vitro methods for modelling what happens to drug products after administration, including macromolecular drugs such as peptides and proteins and small molecular drugs such as cancer drugs. The group's activities are both experimental and theoretical and lie in the border area between physical chemistry, drug formulation and materials science. In our investigations, we combine experimental and theoretical methods. Experimental methods include confocal microscopy (especially FRAP), microfluidics, micropipette-assisted microscopy, diffusion and mass transport studies, rheology, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), static and dynamic light scattering (SLS/DLS), and fluorescence spectroscopy/quenching. For more information about our research and the research team, see: https://www.uu.se/en/department/medicinal-chemistry/research/research-areas/pharmaceutical-physical-chemistry

Within SweDeliver, the group conducts research in the field of parenteral administration, with a special focus on subcutaneous administration. The goal is to develop methods to predict the release from subcutaneously injected drug formulations, as well as the absorption and bioavailability of subcutaneously administered drugs, especially biomacromolecular active substances. The aim is to facilitate the development of drug products with high bioavailability and low patient variability by identifying molecular properties that determine how drugs diffuse in, and are transported through, the extracellular matrix, where the interaction between the drugs and important constituents of the tissue such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, fatty acids and albumin is expected to be of meaning. More information about the parenteral work package and SweDeliver can be found here: https://www.uu.se/en/centre/swedeliver/research

Duties

The aim of the project is to increase the understanding of factors affecting the transport of conjugated drug delivery systems from the injection site in subcutaneous adipose tissue to the lymphatic system. The goal is to increase the knowledge of generic aspects related to conjugated systems and to develop reliable in vitro methods with the capacity to capture effects of a physicochemical nature that occur in vivo, with the possibility of generating data for use in prediction/AI tools. Important aspects to consider are the stability and dynamics of the conjugated systems, the relative importance of diffusion- and convection-mediated mass transport, and the importance of interactions with the structural components of the extracellular tissue, especially collagen, hyaluronan, chondroitin sulfate, and other endogenous substances in the extracellular fluid. You will use experimental in vitro methods to study the transport of biological drugs synthetic models of the extracellular matrix in subcutaneous adipose tissue in combination with in vivo experiments in animal models.

As a member of the research team, you are expected to plan your experiments, analyse the results and document all experimental work, as well as contribute to the writing of scientific articles. You are also expected to present your results at meetings and seminars within the research group and the department, as well as perform administrative tasks in connection with reporting research results.

Requirements

Eligible for education at postgraduate level is anyone who has

• completed a second-level degree within the pharmacy program, the pharmaceuticals specialization of the master's engineering program, or
• completed at least 240 university credit points in chemistry, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level including an independent work of at least 15 credits points, or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
  
  

You are responsible, meticulous and have the ability to work independently as well as in a group. Good ability to express oneself in written and spoken English is a requirement. The degree of ability to assimilate postgraduate education is decisive for employment.

Additional Qualifications

Previous experience (theoretical and practical) in above all physical chemistry and adjacent areas such as surface and colloid chemistry and polymer chemistry is meritorious. Good ability to express yourself in Swedish in writing and speaking is an advantage.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5,

• 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.
  
  

The application must include a CV, copies of degrees and grades, copy of master's thesis (or a draft thereof), any scientific articles, contact information for references and a brief description of the applicant and the applicant's previous experience. One or more letters of recommendation can also be attached to the application.

The education at postgraduate level normally comprises four years of full-time study. In addition, 20 % institutional service (teaching) and responsibility for operation and maintenance of chemical instrumentation is added, which gives a total training time of 5 years.

Salary placement takes place according to the established salary scale for doctoral employment. Information about the education at PhD level, eligibility requirements and admission regulations can be found at: https://www.uu.se/en/disciplinary-domain/medicine-and-pharmacy/study/doctoral-studies

About The Employment

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5

• 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala
  
  

For further information about the position, please contact: Professor Per Hansson (project leader), [e-mail]

Please submit your application by 8 August 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2031.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all of our 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University

https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/

The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must pass the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placering: Department of Medicinal Chemistry Omfattning: Full time Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % Anställningsform: Temporary position Lön: Fixed salary Antal lediga befattningar: 1 Ort: Uppsala Fackliga företrädare:

• ST/TCO [e-mail]
• Seko Universitetsklubben [e-mail]
• Saco-rådet [e-mail]
  
  

Referensnummer: UFV-PA 2025/2031 Sista dag för ansökan: 8 augusti 2025 Sök jobbet