PhD: Stabilty of Pharmaceutical Suspension

A Ph.D. position within formulation and characterization of pharmaceutical suspensions is available at the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Pharmacy as a cooperative project with the University of Copenhagen.
Starting date: 1^st of August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. 

Project background
Pharmaceutical suspensions have a number of uses, most pronounced as formulations for the pediatrics population as well as long acting injectibles. Suspensions are disperse systems, hence they are thermodynamically unstable. The current framework to predict the stability of disperse systems relies on the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory for aggregation of aqueous dispersions, however, there is surprising little novel investigation into the field of suspension stability and the application of AI and ML have not been extensively employed in the field.

The element in the thesis may therefore include:

• Investigations into suspension sedimentation and resuspension and approaches to ease the resuspension through formulation means
• Investigations of suspension stability for a range of different compounds to generate empirical data to investigate by AI and ML approaches
• Investigations of surfactant behavior and of a range of interaction elements through physical methods and physical chemical approaches such as AFM and ITC
• Develop a theoretical based model based upon the learnings from the stability studies to help better understand suspension stability

Qualifications
We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in working on the boundary between pharmacy and physics focused on characterization of disperse systems.. The candidate will hold a M.Sc. in pharmacy, chemistry, physics, or closely related area. Previous experiences with one or more of the following is considered an advantage: rheological investigations, release studies, chromatographic analysis and material sciences related to the topic.

The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is one of four departments at the Faculty of Science, SDU and is located in Odense. The Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy is a department focused on basic research. We are happy to move beyond traditional disciplines and work to develop new technologies and sciences across physics, chemistry, pharmacy, mathematics, computer science and biology. The department’s research thus contributes to new knowledge and solutions with applications in the areas of climate, environment, energy, and health.

Application deadline: 15 June 2024 at 23:59 hours local Danish time 

Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk